The Furniture Project: Building a Sustainable Future for Wigtownshire

Client

The Furniture Project (TFP) (Stranraer) Limited

Name of Project

Strengthening Communities Programme Support

Services used

• Strategic planning and development
• Governance and legal structure review
• Ongoing mentoring support

Overview of Organisation

The Furniture Project (Stranraer) Limited, trading as The Community Reuse Shop (CRS), is a pioneering social enterprise based in Wigtownshire, dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting sustainability within its community. Established in 1997, the organisation has developed a reputation for innovative practices in community engagement, environmental stewardship, and social justice through its operations, focusing on reuse, recycling, and job creation.

The enterprise’s flagship initiative, the Community Reuse Shop, operates from Zero Waste Park and aims to maximise the reuse of donated household and office goods. The project has had significant impact, including:

• Redistributing over 268 tonnes of material from landfills in the last year.
• Welcoming 85,990 customers, selling almost 50,000 books, while providing free resources to local schools.
• Offering supported employment to 24 individuals and engaging 20 volunteers, particularly targeting those furthest from the labour market.

In addition to its main reuse and recycle operations, TFP also runs Rhins Active, a community project comprising an active travel hub and bike recycling that complements the CRS’s reuse/recycle role.

Introduction

In April 2022, The Furniture Project (Stranraer) Ltd (TFP) secured funding through the Scottish Government’s Strengthening Communities Programme, running until March 2025. This funding aimed to enhance TFP’s organisational capacity, long-term stability, and sustainability. TFP was facing challenges in expanding its services, optimising its governance structure, and developing a clear strategic direction for the future. The organisation needed expert guidance to address these issues and capitalise on opportunities for growth and increased impact in the community.

The Problem

TFP faced several key challenges:

1. Governance Structure: The organisation needed to review its group and legal structures to ensure they were appropriate for current and future business models, especially considering the diverse range of activities under a single organisational structure.
2. Strategic Direction: TFP lacked a clear, long-term strategic plan to guide its growth and development over the next 3-5 years.
3. Capacity Constraints: The organisation was experiencing limitations in warehouse space, online operations, workforce, and equipment, which hindered its ability to expand services and increase impact.
4. Geographic Reach: TFP’s operations were limited to only part of Dumfries and Galloway, leaving potential for expansion into underserved areas.
5. Marketing and Branding: There was a need to improve marketing communications, including branding, impact reporting, and digital presence.

These challenges were impacting TFP’s ability to fully leverage its strengths and capitalise on opportunities for growth and increased community impact.

The Solution

CEIS provided comprehensive support to TFP through the Strengthening Communities Programme, focusing on three main areas:

1. Governance and Legal Structure Review:

• This activity took place from April to August 2022 and included:
  • A document review of current governance and legal structure
  • Research on group and legal structure options, including implications of charitable status and charitable trading
  • Development sessions with a working group of board and management representatives
  • Drafting a review and proposal paper for optimal legal structures

2. Strategy Review and Development:

• This activity took place between October 2022 and November 2022 and included:
  • A review of current strategy
  • Design and delivery of 1-2 development sessions with 10-12 management team members and board representatives
  • Drafting a comprehensive strategy paper outlining TFP’s vision, purpose, strategic goals, and organisational strategies for the next 3-5 years

3. Ongoing Mentoring Support:

• Provided throughout the programme period (April 2022 to March 2025)
• Activities included:
  • Regular mentoring sessions to assist with implementation of new strategies and structures
  • Offering guidance on specific issues as they arose, such as expansion opportunities and partnership development

The solution was tailored to address TFP’s specific needs and challenges, providing a holistic approach to organisational development and capacity building. The support was structured to allow for initial intensive work on governance and strategy, followed by ongoing mentoring to assist with implementation and address emerging issues.

The Outcome

The support provided by CEIS through the Strengthening Communities Programme has led to significant positive outcomes for The Furniture Project:

1. Strategic Clarity: TFP now has a clear strategic direction for the next 3-5 years, with defined goals and strategies for expansion, service development, and community impact.
2. Improved Governance: The review of legal structures has positioned TFP to make informed decisions about its organisational structure, potentially leading to more efficient operations and better alignment with its diverse activities.
3. Capacity Building: The strategic planning process has helped TFP identify key areas for capacity building, including workforce development, infrastructure improvements, and geographic expansion.
4. Enhanced Impact Measurement: The strategy includes key performance indicators across enterprise growth, social value, and environmental impact, allowing TFP to better measure and communicate its outcomes.
5. New Opportunities Identified: The strategic review process has highlighted potential new service areas and expansion opportunities, including the development of CRS Partnerships and a Circular Enterprise Centre.
6. Strengthened Partnerships: The process has reinforced TFP’s relationships with key stakeholders and identified new partnership opportunities to enhance its impact.
7. Recognition and Awards: In 2023, TFP received multiple accolades for its contributions to sustainability and community well-being:
   • Winner of the Climate and Net Zero Town category at the Scotland Loves Local awards
   • Finalist at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Small Business of the Year in Sustainability
   • Recipient of the Social Well-Being Award via Awarding Wigtownshire

These outcomes have positioned TFP for sustainable growth and increased community impact in the coming years. The ongoing nature of the support, continuing until March 2025, allows for continued refinement and implementation of strategies developed during the initial phases of the programme.

Future Plans

Building on the success, The Furniture Project is seeking capital investment to expand facilities and services. This will enhance operations, introduce new community projects, and increase staff. The organisation aims to broaden its reach, promote reuse practices, and meet growing demand for sustainable goods. CEIS and the SCP programme support will continue to enhance the impact of the project for individuals and communities.

Testimonial

“The relationship forged with the CEIS team has enabled our trustees and management group to develop together as a team filled with confidence.  This has led to us having robust plans, meaning we are fully prepared for the implementation and growth of our Organisation.  We are now able to maximise our impact and see associated benefits for our local rural community, particularly for people requiring our service so they can step out of poverty.”