The Evesham Admag, April 6, 2001
"What most people don't realise is that we also take in cups and saucers," begins Lesley Goodliffe, chairman of Roundabout.
And why would they? Roundabout has developed a name for itself as a supplier of furniture and other accoutrements to people building homes for themselves, who are referred to the charity by referral agencies and the John Martin charity among others.
Roundabout started out in 1994 as the Vale Volunteer Furniture Centre, under the wing of the Vale Volunteer Centre in Evesham.
What began life as a small firm at the back of Goodalls Garage at Greenhill has now metamorphosed into a registered charity that stands on its own two feet.
Changing their name to Roundabout in June of last year, they supply people who are starting up homes for themselves with items such as crockery, furniture, electrical items and more recently, toys.
Based on the Bond Industrial Estate in Wickhamford, the charity's warehouse is like an Aladdin's Cave, stocked with various items of furniture, like tables, chairs, beds and sofas.
In the testing bay, volunteers are repairing and checking electrical items and other goods given to the charity so they are safe to be used by their prospective benefactors.
Roundabout's delivery area has increased massively since they began. Deliveries now go as far afield as Redditch and Gloucester; pretty impressive when you consider they have only one van.
"We are looking into the possibility of getting another, smaller, van for the not so big deliveries," said Bob Pooler, manager, who joined up with the charity in 1998 when he retired from the police force.
Bob said he would like to hear from people interested in volunteering a few hours a week. There are positions available in the warehouse or as van assistants.
If you are relatively fit and able and would like to help, contact Bob Pooler on 01386 833030.