Students from the Business Management Course have joined the Board of the Furniture Recycling Project (FRP) as observers. Adam and Katherine are first year students and have been given the opportunity to contribute to the continued development of one of the leading charities of its type in the Country.
Ian Ellis, Chief Executive of FRP says “I was extremely impressed with the students and some of the questions they posed when invited by Dr. Jim Keane to give a guest lecture to the new students. I spoke to my Board of Trustees above providing this opportunity and they completely agreed with the idea. Initially, we had thought that we would only provide one opportunity, but after interviewing Adam and Katherine along with a member of my Board, we were so impressed with their skills we decided to offer them both the opportunity”.
Ian adds “We believe both Adam and Katherine can bring new ideas to FRP, whilst gaining new skills themselves. We carry out a great deal of training with young people, who are considered NEET (Not in Education, Employment and Training) and also provide are re-use services to many young people. To obtain new viewpoints on how we deliver our service is paramount to FRP continuing to meet its charitable objectives and the needs of the community”. Each year we supply in excess of 12,000 items from our shops in Gloucester and Cheltenham and work with over 70 volunteers and trainees. It is also important that we look to support students arriving in the County and this link will enable FRP and the University the opportunity to work closely together for the benefit of the students and wider community”.
Adam/Katherine said:
“We got the opportunity to apply for the position after Ian gave a lecture at our university. Initially I was unaware of what working with FRP would involve but after visiting FRP sites in Cheltenham and Gloucester I was aware of just how much work they do in the community with making items affordable and getting young people back into employment. The Furniture Recycling Project is exactly the sort of thing that Gloucestershire needs, we are privileged to be observing on the board.- Katharine
Whilst the name ‘Furniture Recycling Project’ explains what a part of the charity is about, I was certainly not aware of the superb and credible work done in providing those who are young and underprivileged with life skills until Ian provided a fascinating insight into just what the organisation does. It is an absolute honour for Katharine and I to be invited to join the board as observers, and we hope that we can make a significant contribution and difference in our time with the FRP. – Adam