Richmond Furniture Scheme 2013

Dr Vincent Cable visits the Richmond Furniture Scheme

On Friday 26^th February 2013, the Rotary Club of Twickenham upon Thames organised an event at the Richmond Furniture Scheme, Fortescue Road, Twickenham to celebrate the fruition of several recent fund raising projects.The guest of honour was The Rt Hon Dr Vincent Cable, MP for Twickenham at the time, and the event took place in the Scout Hall (2^nd Teddington) which is adjacent to the RFS with a tea party for all those who had contributed to the various projects. Mrs Rachel Dickson, Honorary President of the RFS, welcomed Dr Cable and everyone present and thanked all the clubs and charities that had contributed.

Richmond Furniture Scheme takes in old unwanted furniture, restores and repairs it and makes it available at affordable prices to needy local people who frequently "buy" it with vouchers. As such it's a very "green" project and RFS also uses the restoration of furniture as a training opportunity.  With the help of Henry Brockman, their carpenter and trainer, placements are offered to the young unemployed who can learn the basics of carpentry. Such training can turn a young life around and offer the chance of a great career.  

A new kitchen and rest/training room had been refurbished with funding from Rotary Twickenham upon Thames.  Charles Baroudi, President of the Rotary Club of Twickenham upon Thames “cut the ribbon” and formally opened the Staff Room.

A new van which had been bought with funding by Hampton Fuel Allotments, Richmond Parish Lands and Barnes Workhouse Fund was “launched” by Dr Cable.  The new workshop which would provide the training facilities for six more carpentry students, had been funded by the London Borough of Richmond, was almost ready for opening.  

Sue Boyle, Trustee of RFS, was handed a cheque from Twickenham upon Thames Rotary Club for all the much needed tools to fill each of the six workbenches in the new Workroom  The funds had been raised by the Club and a grant had been added from the Rotary District organisation. 

Other charities and companies that have also given generously to the Richmond Furniture Scheme include the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Hilden Charitable Fund, Richmond Churches, Waitrose, Squires Garden Centre and David Edwards Insurance Brokers.