A COMMUNITY project is saving tonnes of items from going to landfill as well as offering volunteering opportunities to people in the town.

The Community Furniture Project Basingstoke was chosen by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Onnalee Cubitt, as her charity of the year.

Read more: Turkish barbecue restaurant opens in Basingstoke

The project, which runs from Joule Road, in Houndmills, restores donated items including furniture, electrical goods, white goods, bikes, and textiles before reselling them to the public, preventing them from going to landfill.

Jonathan White, volunteer mentoring officer, said that as well as helping the environment through reusing unwanted items, the Community Furniture Project also offers cheaper items to buy to people in need.

The shop has two prices: one for those on benefits and another for those not, meaning people needing to purchase items for their home can do so at a fraction of the price of what they would cost to buy new.

In February alone, the project sold 584 items to people on benefits, and 145 to those not, preventing 25,467kg of items going to landfill.

Many of the volunteers who help have learning disabilities or mental health problems.

Through volunteering they can work towards various qualifications and learn new skills.

Richard Mecham has been volunteering with the project since the very first day it started 18 years ago in 2004.

The 43-year-old said: “It gets me out of the house. I come every day and I do teas and help out with the van.”

Councillor Laura James, Independent borough councillor for Norden, was full of praise for the project and said: “All these items would otherwise go to landfill but are instead being reused which is amazing. If you want a fridge and you can’t afford it you can get one for a reasonable price and of a high standard.”

Jonathan added: “Even the price for the general public is fraction of what you would pay in the shop.”

One volunteer, Paul, joined the project after losing his job nine years ago. He credits the project with saving his life and said: “I would be dead if I was still drinking what I used to.”

He now helps move items and organises the space inside, explaining: “It’s like Tetris on a bigger level. It keeps me occupied.”

Brenda Leighton, 72, volunteers her time recycling donated fabrics.

She volunteers 12 hours a week and said: “The friendship here is phenomenal. Everyone cares about everyone and there’s no pressure. It’s so friendly and caring.”

The furniture project sells a wide range of donated furniture, electrical and household items including chairs, sofas, tables, beds, fridges, washing machines, bric-a-brac and more.

It also has a range of bikes which have been restored.

The shop is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from your area by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page.