Estate Services: Sharing Best Practice – Recycling Centres

Thirteen Group's Furniture Upcycling Scheme: Transforming Lives and Estates?

As a consultant to the social housing sector, I am always thrilled to share best practice! And this is certainly the case with the innovative furniture upcycling scheme launched by Thirteen Group at their recycling centre in Billingham.?

This is not only a shining example of best practice in the sector but also demonstrates the practical benefits of incorporating such projects into estate services.?

• Reduced voids ?

• Cost savings ?

• Sustainable ?

• Social value and community benefits ?

• The right thing to do! ???????

Reconditioning Donated and Once-loved Furniture?

Thirteen's specialist upcycling team, led by recycling centre manager Helen Beaman and her talented recruits, Rhys Baker and Katie Forde, has been reconditioning donated and once-loved furniture to give away to customers facing financial challenges. By providing essential household items to those with low incomes, fleeing dangerous circumstances, or previously homeless, Thirteen is making a real difference in the lives of their tenants.?

This?approach not only supports tenants during challenging times but also creates?a sense of pride and ownership in their homes, leading to longer tenancies and more stable communities.?

The simplicity and practicality of this scheme are what make it so effective. Thirteen's upcycling department takes furniture left behind in empty properties, cleans it, and adds the necessary repairs and materials to give it a new lease of life. They even create "starter packs" with essential items to help customers settle into their new homes comfortably from day one.??

Sustainability ?

From an environmental perspective, it’s of course great! With the UK discarding around 1.6 million tonnes of furniture and bulky waste annually, most of which ends up in landfills, Thirteen's initiative is actively reducing waste and promoting a circular economy. By extending the life of quality materials and furniture items, the scheme conserves natural resources and reduces carbon emissions associated with the production of new goods.?

In light of POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) Regulations and fly-tipping alone, this example of best practice will create savings in these areas. ?

Thirteen Group's furniture upcycling scheme is a testament to the power of creative problem-solving and social responsibility within the housing sector. By prioritising the needs of their tenants, the community and the environment, Thirteen has created a model that other housing associations can learn from and adapt to their own estate services.?

Estate Services Reviews ?

We should also note of course... that we find these examples of best practice, while working with estates services teams across the UK. As part of our Estate Services Reviews, we crunch quite a few numbers and read a lot of documents – but we spend time with your customers, team, contractors and key stakeholders across your estates and schemes! We provide practical and specific routes for you to demonstrate and improve value for money and procurement compliance, while modernising and developing the service. ?