The Wychavon Magazine, March 2002
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Are you sitting comfortablyThere's no time for sitting down for workers at a Wickhamford charity - even though they are surrounded by comfy chairs and beds. The volunteers, at Roundabout, at Bond Industrial Estate, spend their time recycling furniture which means Wychavon sees around 40 tonnes less waste a year. Roundabout came into existence in July 2000 and grew from a project called the Vale Volunteer Furniture Centre. This was initiated by the Vale of Evesham Volunteer Centre in 1994 and was originally introduced to help residents in the Evesham area but has grown to include those living in South and East Worcestershire as well as parts of adjoining counties. Roundabout supplies furniture to needy residents who have moved into premises and whose circumstances mean they haven't got a stick of furniture. Referrals come from around sixty agencies and individuals including Age Concern and Social Services and the required furniture is delivered to the customer's door. Requests can include beds, tables, chairs, settees, curtains, wall units and starter packs for those who have absolutely no belongings. Donations are collected although you can make a contribution towards diesel. Once at the depot the volunteers get to work on items to make them functional and each one is recorded so when it comes to distributing them a full stock list is available. Manager Bob Pooler said "The quality of items we receive has improved which in turn means we can reuse them and cut down on waste. "We are a non-profit making organisation and all our 19 staff, including those in our office, give their time for free. "It is like an extended family and our rewards are the favourable comments or letters of appreciation which we receive." Surplus stock is disposed of by car boot sales although work is underway to create a floor above the main workshop to store stock. The charity relies on grants and donations - Wychavon District Council recently gave it a £5,000 community grant - so it can continue the valuable service. Bob added:"Roundabout is the only one of its kind in the area so we have our work cut out reaching all corners of the district and even beyond. "It couldn't work without the kindhearted people who help us out and we are always on the lookout for an extra pair of hands."
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