Gloucestershire charity, Furniture Recycling Project, has received a welcome boost from local housebuilder, CALA Homes, after receiving £950 in funding to improve its wood workshop, The Grove, with much-needed equipment.

Since being founded in 1996, the charity has supported thousands of Gloucestershire low-income households by supplying affordable, good quality, re-used furniture and white goods to help reduce social exclusion.

In addition, the charity provides volunteering opportunities in its shops, warehouse and workshops for those looking to learn key skills needed for employment. Furniture Recycling Project has bases in both Cheltenham and Gloucester, and is led by a group of 13 staff and around 20 volunteers.

The CALA Community Bursary was launched in February 2018 and invited organisations, charities and groups in Gloucestershire to apply to help fund projects which make an important difference in the community.

Furniture Recycling Project was chosen as a recipient of this year's bursary, with the money going towards improving the wood workshop to ensure that volunteers gain experience of using safe, modern tools, such as new drills, sanders, saws and chisels.

Mark Wright, managing director for CALA Homes Midlands, said: "When we launched the Community Bursary, we didn't anticipate to receive so many amazing applications from such worthwhile causes. Furniture Recycling Project stood out to us for their incredible contribution to the local community."

Josephine Bartosch, fundraising and partnerships manager at Furniture Recycling Project, added: "We are delighted to have received this funding as part of CALA's Community Bursary and the money will go towards supporting the improvement of our woodwork workshop.

"Furniture is fundamental to making a house a home. Since our charity was founded over two decades ago, we have supplied over a quarter of a million items to the most disadvantaged people in Gloucestershire. With the funding from CALA Homes, we are able to continue providing training to our volunteers and furniture to our community."