The Reuse Consortium would like to extend a huge thank you to our Reuse Consortium Members, who have helped divert significant amounts of waste from landfill this year, whilst supporting their communities across Scotland. We’d also like to celebrate the amazing work they do at this time of year, giving more back to their communities than ever before and spreading some festive spirit along the way.
Take a look below to discover the festive and holiday focused projects running from our Reuse Consortium members. Remember you can always support or get involved with projects by donating or volunteering this holiday season.
In Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway, the Community Reuse Shop is working in conjunction with its local social services to provide food and toy hampers to struggling families. Last year on Christmas Eve the Community Reuse Shop delivered 110 hampers; this year it plans to deliver over 200 food and toy parcels.
Up in the North East of Scotland, Aberdeen-based Instant Neighbour is running its annual and much loved ‘Giving Tree’ appeal, which provides children from disadvantaged families with a gift at Christmas. Instant Neighbour collect donations of new toys from local businesses and the public, distributing them to children of all ages across Aberdeen City and Shire. In 2021, Instant Neighbour delivered 13,500 gifts and hope to distribute even more this year.
Furniture Plus, our furniture reuse member based in Fife, is taking part in the activities of the Gift of Christmas Appeal Fife, a charity run entirely by volunteers across the region. Furniture Plus accept donations from the public of new and unopened gifts at both of its stores, and the Gift of Christmas Appeal volunteers uplift these items and distribute them to disadvantaged children and young people. This year, the Gift of Christmas Appeal is expected to offer gifts to more than 1,300 children across Fife.
Although taking part in Christmas gift distribution initiatives for disadvantaged families is a major activity for many of our Consortium members at this time of year, it is not the only way that members are assisting people in need during the winter festive season. Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Company based in North Ayrshire is using its own reserves to issue 20 furniture vouchers of up to £500 each to their referring partners (such as the North Ayrshire Council Scottish Welfare Fund team) to distribute to those who are in need but do not qualify for additional support. This will help people facing hardship who have slipped through the welfare support gaps to make their houses into homes. Once the 20 vouchers have been distributed, Cunninghame will work with their referring partners to assess the impact of this scheme and hope to continue it for as long as possible.
In Fife, Castle Furniture Project is delivering a similar scheme, issuing £25 Coop or Aldi vouchers for single people of any age in the Northeast Fife and Glenrothes area who are struggling but would not otherwise qualify for support. Castle estimate that approximately 40 people will be helped through this scheme.
It is truly heart-warming to see all the fantastic support that Consortium members are delivering to struggling families, children, and individuals across Scotland at this time of year. Winter and the festive season can be especially challenging times for people living in poverty, and our Consortium members are doing what they can to support these people in their local communities and make their lives a little brighter.
By purchasing through the Reuse Consortium, local authorities and housing associations can directly support the important work that our Consortium members are doing, as well as receiving high quality and affordable reuse furniture items to furnish properties.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Reuse Consortium and how you can become a buyer, contact Nicola at nicola@circularcommunities.scot.