The First Citizen of Rhondda Cynon Taf has commended the work of a charity that has helped over 5,000 households across Rhondda Cynon Taf – while also helping to save the environment – in the last year alone.
Mayor Cllr Simon Lloyd was honoured to attend the recent AGM of toogoodtowaste, a unique organisation that operates in partnership with a number of departments within the local authority, especially the Environmental Services directorate and Social Services Child Care.
toogoodtowaste collects furniture, domestic appliances, textiles and other household items, that are still in good condition. These items are then cleaned, sorted and placed on display at their Charity showrooms where anyone can call in and select the items they need. Last year, the charity received 71 requests from Social Services and other support organisations to help families who had no furniture or were in crisis situations. The Charity was able to provide furniture packages and bedroom packages to assist.
In the last year alone, the charity’s two showrooms in Ynyshir and Aberaman redistributed over 16,500 items, helping to supply over 5,000 households with furniture such as beds, storage and sofas. However, it was unable to meet the demand for domestic electrical items, despite employing a domestic appliance engineer, due to the shortage of such items being donated.
As well as helping others, the work of toogoodtowaste has also meant that 216 tonnes of goods that would have gone to landfill were re-used, last year alone. Since this charity started in 1995, it has attracted £1.8 million of inward investment through various grant funding and in so doing has sustained the employment of 10 jobs, as well as establishing a re-use and recycling service for the benefit of the community of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The charity provided voluntary placements to some 140 people in the last year, including young people looking for their first opportunity of work, people returning to work and those who have taken early retirement – they helped in their call centre, warehouses, retail, transport and as directors. This enabled them to gain skills, experience and confidence, as well as prepare for future employment.
Mayor Cllr Lloyd said: “It was interesting and rewarding to be able to attend the AGM and hear such good news from the people who work so hard, including volunteers, for toogoodtowaste.
“Countless families across the county borough have been able to attend the two showrooms and buy, at reasonable prices, high-quality, tested furniture and domestic appliances.
“I am so proud the Council is supporters of this cause and also inspired by the success toogoodtowaste has achieved when it comes to not only helping others, but helping the environment and brining in additional funding into the County Borough.”
Lynda Davies, Chief Executive of toogoodtowaste, added: “We are delighted to see an increase in the number of people who are choosing to re-use and support us by donating items that help benefit this local charity.
“When people choose to re-use, they are making a positive difference to climate change – less to landfill and, also, less new items being made. They are also helping to regenerate their community by supporting local employment, training and experience. It is a win-win situation.”
toogoodtowaste continues to appeal for furniture and domestic appliances that can be re-used, it is also looking for new board members that can support its ongoing development and growth. New customers are welcomed to visit their showrooms that are open 9 – 4 Monday – Friday. The Ynyshir showroom is also open on Saturday 9 – 4.00p.m.
For more information, contact 01443 680090 or email [email protected]
