Upcycling, Furniture Restoration & Community Engagement – Meet Futureworks

Our Impact team recently spent the day in Scarborough visiting Futureworks, before heading down to Mindful Photography UK’s exhibition at The Street. 

Having worked with us over many years and multiple programmes, it’s clear the positive impact that Futureworks have on the Scarborough community, and it’s a pleasure to have the team as part of our current partnerships.

Founded in 2012 as a Community Interest Company (CIC), last July Futureworks NY became a registered charity, opening the door to new funding opportunities and enabling the team to extend their invaluable work within the wider community.

A team of ten (plus black lab Kink, and Molly the Cockapoo), Futureworks are backed by a wealth of volunteers. They work with individuals from a range of backgrounds and ages, specialising in supporting young people with functional skills, alternative educational provision, ‘Youth Development’ and volunteering.

As part of their available provision for adults, the team are partners on our Government funded UKSPF programmes, Multiply and Rise2Thrive, delivering a host of wellbeing, numerical, employability and workplace-based support.

A large part of their day-to-day operations revolve around their widely celebrated woodworking workshop. Home to a host of equipment, tools, and neglected furniture in need of some TLC, the space invites learners and community members to come together to work on restoration projects whilst developing a range of practical skills. Upcycling donations is a great way for learners to try their hand at sustainability and community engagement, whilst reducing waste in landfill.

Once restored or upcycled, items then make their way to Furniture Works, a retail outlet nestled in the heart of the town centre, and run in tandem with the charity. Items are then sold and the ‘’monies are ploughed back into Futureworks NY’’:

‘’Every purchase helps our learners and clients get their lives into gear. The monies raised are ploughed back into the Futureworks NY so we can help support and provide guidance; help young people aged 15 and over, develop experience opportunities and even help people acquire accredited qualifications. In other words, if you buy that table, chair or accessory, you are helping someone reach their full potential by way of workshops, courses and more.’’

For Futureworks’ Multiply learners, taking part in the workshops offers a unique opportunity to use numbers in a practical setting. Measurements, angles, maths and power tools are all part of the equation – as are opportunities for volunteering in the shop, assisting customers and getting acquainted with delivery logistics.

Alongside numerically based workshop support, the team are also offering support with the following through Multiply:

• Budgeting and Money Management
• Household Planning and Running a home
• First steps for Maths and practical applications in everyday life
• Basic Maths and IT – word, excel & money management tools

For participants on Rise2Thrive, there are still ample opportunities to get involved in the workshop. Seeing a project through from restoration to final sale can provide a real confidence boost, allowing new skills and relationships to form:

‘’Lorraine has been attending the Women in Workshop sessions over the last 4 weeks and she has really enjoyed meeting new people and learning new skills. She now feels ready to make steps forward with gaining employment.’’

(Futureworks team member on R2T participant)

In addition to the workshop opportunities, the team are offering a range of employability, wellbeing, and in-work support for their R2T participants. All of which are equipping participants with the skills to overcome their barriers and take the necessary steps to thrive in their lives and work.

If you’d like to know more about Futureworks and their offerings across our partnerships, you can contact their team on [email protected] / 01723 449616.

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