The Forest Upcycling Project Striving for excellence in

The Forest Upcycling Project "Striving for excellence in support of vulnerable people" The Forest Upcycling Project is a Registered Charity No. 1, 158, 797

Mission statement: At the Forest Upcycling Project our vision is to provide affordable household goods. Our business idea supports this vision by reusing items going into landfill, training young people through work experience and accredited courses, to upcycle products and working with craftsmen willing to share their skills. Products are at prices so low that everybody will be able to afford them.

What does our charity do? We employ disabled, vulnerable and marginalised people in the Forest of Dean. We collect unwanted furniture free of charge and offer it for sale to the public at very cheap and affordable prices. To those in crisis, we provide essential items of furniture free of charge. We provide an affordable house moving service. We provide dedicated and professional gardeners at a very affordable hourly rate.

Objects of our Charity 1. TO RELIEVE POVERTY FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN NEED BY PROVIDING FURNITURE OR OTHER GOODS AT A HIGHLY REDUCED RATE OR IN EXTREME CASES FREE OF CHARGE. 2. TO ADVANCE EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED OR OTHERWISE IN NEED OF SUCH EDUCATION TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT. 3. TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS BY THE PROMOTION OF WASTE REDUCTION, RE-USE, RECLAMATION, RECYCLING AND USE OF RECYCLED PRODUCTS. 4. TO IMRPOVE THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE BY PROVIDING WORK (BOTH VOLUNTARY AND PAID EMPLOYMENT) FOR THOSE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MARGINALISED FROM SOCIETY DUE TO DISABILITY, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, ADDICTION OR LONG TERM UNEMPLOYMENT.

The gardening team

Paul was placed with us on Community Work Placement. He has a hearing impairment and had been unemployed since being made redundant. Paul had very low self esteem and was taking anti-depressants. Since joining the project, Paul’s life has been turned around. He no longer takes any medication and really enjoys his job. Paul loves gardening and takes pride in his work. He is an incredibly hard worker and a very good gardener.

Mark lives at the Grange part of the Camp Hill Trust. He has learning difficulties and has never before had paid employment. Within the Camp Hill Trust he started an apprenticeship in gardening and loves being outside. Mark is an incredibly hard worker

Prices £ 15 per hour for 2 gardeners with their own tools and transport. Due to the nature of the charity you often get an extra gardener i. e. 3 gardeners for £ 15 lower than the minimum wage. Most of our work comes by word of mouth.

Our 1 st Small Gardening Project How it Started Once it had been cleared Raised Strawberry beds.

Our 1 YEAR update We have sold over 5842 items -over 57% to people on benefits -many items for free. Landfill mass reduction over 67, 177. 7 Kg (67 Tonnes) We have 34 Volunteers (10 of which have disability) 1744 Facebook likes (posts reaching over 4500 people) and over 15, 000 website hits 7 employees – 3 Apprentices studying Business Admin, 1 Apprentices studying Horticulture(Gardening), 2 Recycling Coordinators and a Project Manager (50% are disabled) Now selling furniture, household goods and upcycled products, offering Gardening, House Moves and generally helping our community wherever possible.