Mayors Trustee Team Award 2014
Furnistore
On July 13th 2014, Furnistore Trustee Team was given the Reigate and Banstead Council’s Mayors Volunteer Trustee Team Award. This was in recognition of their efforts running a local charity and for securing the purchase of Furnistore’s very own warehouse, giving, for the first time, a firm/secure base with which to operate from. The photo below shows the new warehouse along with their relatively new van, which was purchase in 2013 after a year long fundraising campaign. We were nominated for this award by an associated charity, Stripey Stork.
Furnistore Trustee Team – July 2014
- Ed Baker – Chairman
- Freda Clark – Secretary/Founder
- Chris R Green – IT
- Jonathan Essex
- Chilton Pike
- Hattie Ellis
- Clare Smith
Collecting our award from Mayor David Pay
I have been involved in Furnistore since 2006, initially as a Tuesday afternoon volunteer – helping out in my spare time. During my first couple of years, I rewrote their website (for which Furnistore got a grant). Although it could do with a bit of modernising again, it has stood time reasonably well.
Website
Recently the website was linked to our computer stock control system and shows availability of stock (with pictures).
2014 also saw the development of a couple of Android Apps, the first, enables volunteers to take photos of newly received stock and this updates both the website / stock control system . The other app, is a customer based version showing availability of stock, allowing for reservations and receives notifications when suitable matches to the customers request are received into stock.
I was asked and became a Trustee (voluntary out of hours position) in 2010 and absorbed responsibility for IT, but still help out whereever possible and also by doing an evening Van run (both collecting and delivering furniture) once a month.
App Example Screens:
Read more…Furnistore’s Mission
To provide good quality furniture and household goods at affordable prices to families and individuals within East Surrey. By collecting no longer wanted items, they reduce the volume of domestic waste in landfills. Also in doing so provide support and work experience for it’s team of volunteers.
About Furnistore
Furnistore’s new Warehouse is open to all members of the public, Mon-Sat 10.00 – 4.00 and is dedicated to recycling good quality household goods. As a registered charity, Furnistore has a variety of volunteers who collect donated furniture, furnishings and appliances from within the East Surrey area. Once the goods are received into the warehouse, volunteers check, store and clean the collected items. Upon approval, items are put onto the Warehouse sales floor. Typically, items range from used sofas to hardly used furniture such as cabinets, chests of drawers or anything else found within your own home.
Items are sold to the general public, with customers on low incomes being offered substantial discounts. In emergency situations, they provide essential household goods at no cost at all.
Furnistore are located in Redhill, near to Merstham which is easily accessible by public transport.
E&OE
Related links:
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council – Mayor’s Volunteer Awards
Furnistore in East Surrey Ltd, Charity, Redhill
Stripey Stork – Nominated Furnistore Trustee Team
Furnistore – Android App – Internal
Furnistore – Android App – Customers
Related Furnistore posts:
Related Awards posts:
- Awards