How have we helped? – Storeroom2010

March 2024

More than 1,250 pieces of furniture and other household goods found new owners and this saved over 13,500kgs from our island landfill. If you can’t imagine that weight, Just picture 402 average small sideboards! What a wicked waste it would be to squash all those things into the ground.

Volunteers are the glue that keeps everything at Storeroom together, they are the reason we are open for you all. They help with just about everything to enable this charity to work as efficiently as possible. This month they gave us over 250 hours of their time, cheerfully doing chores such as cleaning and dusting, loading and unloading vehicles, collecting donations and delivering purchases, not forgetting serving customers. Whew!! No wonder they need plenty of tea and coffee. . .

Thank you to all the households who made kind donations to help people in need in our community. You are making a difference.

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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February 2024

Thank you ever so much for your kind custom this month and for all your brilliant donations of furniture and household items. You have helped to keep this island charity open to everyone.

The volunteers, as ever, have been wonderful. Even in this cold weather they have still come in to us and have helped out with all sorts of tasks, including ones they don’t always enjoy, just to get it all done. Their invaluable donation to Storeroom was over 2600 hours of their time during February. They really are awesome!

When you make a purchase at Storeroom, not only does your money help to keep the charity sustainable, but it is also good for our environment as that means unwanted items have not ended up at our island landfill. In February we together saved items weighing in at nearly 14,000kgs, which is equal to 438 average armchairs.

Don’t forget; Storeroom is still one of the cheapest places on the island to buy your second-hand furniture, so why not pop over and have a look around? We are open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm. See you soon!

Our Community project, The Cowes Men’s Shed continues to thrive. Membership continues to grow (its free!) and everyone enjoys their time there. If you are interested in joining or even just having a visit to see what it is all about, please give Adam a call on 01983 209734 during the Shed opening hours of Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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January 2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

What a great team of supporters we have across the Isle of Wight; from the kind people who donate their unwanted but reusable furniture and household goods, to the customers who bag a bargain in our shop or warehouse and never forgetting our great band of volunteers ‘Team Storeroom’ without whom Storeroom would not exist at all. Nearly 150 households donated items to Storeroom and over 400 customers were able to take advantage of a bargain. Income helps to keep Storeroom open for everyone on the Isle of Wight

This month we have saved nearly 10,700kgs from being dumped into landfill on our lovely island; its so good to re-use rather than throw away and if we can’t accept an item from a customer we always try to offer them advice if we can. So, what does 10,700kgs look like? Well about the same as 216 small sofas!!

We wouldn’t be able to succeed every month if it wasn’t for our fabulous volunteers. They generously gave us over 200 hours of their time. We are so lucky to have such a great group of people to help us and they are all really appreciated. Can you spare some free time to help out? If so, please contact us on 01983 298679.

You have all done very well indeed and remember, you are a big part in a small, but growing success story.

Remember, re-use rules

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December 2023

We do hope you all enjoyed the festive season. Thank you for your support, right up until our two-week closure began.

We look forward to serving the island community in 2024. We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. Don’t forget there is free parking right outside our front door and the Cowes Park and Ride bus stop is just 100 yards up the road

What do our volunteers do? They help with deliveries and collections, move stock around and about our warehouse, serve customers and keep everything clean and tidy. Whew! All accomplished with a smile on their faces. We ply them with tea, coffee, squash, biscuits and occasionally cake to keep them going and in December this kept them going for nearly 250 hours!

This month we have together saved over 11,000kgs from going to landfill. Your donations of furniture and other household items which are ready for immediate re-use have stopped all those lovely things being sent to the tip and squashed into the ground, which is a really wicked waste. People in need can choose to purchase from a great variety of furniture and household goods available at Storeroom at our very affordable prices; often there is almost too much to choose from.

Why don’t you make a different New Year resolution for 2024 and try to recycle more than ever this year? Or if you have time to spare why not consider becoming a volunteer?

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in our continuing success story

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November 2023

It was all go during November, the staff and volunteers have been working hard even with the temperature dropping, so if you visit us – don’t forget to WRAP UP WARM!

Well, we are all hurtling towards Christmas, and everyone has had to rack their brains for gift ideas. Some of our customers have found litte gifts here to give to family and friends; other customers have found ‘new to them’ furniture for last minute changes to their homes for family get togethers.

Re-use of furniture and household items saves a surprising amount from our island landfill. In November our customers purchased just under 1,300 items, which together weighed in at nearly 134,000kgs (that’s similar to the weight of 200 average sofabed WOW).

What do our volunteers do? They help with deliveries and collections, move stock around and about our warehouse, serve customers and keep everything clean and tidy. Whew! All accomplished with a smile on their faces. We supply them with tea, coffee, squash, biscuits and occasionally cake to keep them going and in November this kept them going for over 300 hours!

We are normally open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm but will be closing for the Christmas and New Year from Sunday 24^th December 2023 and will re-open at 10am on Tuesday 9^th January 2024.

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year! We look forward to 2024 when we hope we can do just that little bit more for our island community and environment.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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October 2023

Thank you for continuing to support Storeroom with your kind donations of unwanted, but re-usable furniture and household items. We have had lots of lovely things donated to us this month and many happy customers finding things they can afford to buy now, rather than getting into debt in order to purchase brand new expensive items. The monies raised from these sales helps to keep Storeroom open for everyone, whether you are a person/family in need, a keen up-cycler or a bargain hunter.

Volunteers are the glue that keeps everything at Storeroom together, they are the reason we are open for you all. Our volunteers gave us almost 300 hours this month and without them we would not be here for you at all. They come in whatever the weather, some for just a few hours a week, some for several days each week.

If you would like to join us at Team Storeroom, whether you can spare a regular half day a week or more, are interested in working in our shop, warehouse or out on the vans, we would love to hear from you. Please call the office on 01983 298679.

Now onto the green stuff! This month we have together saved nearly 1,350 pieces of furniture and household items from our island landfill. These items weighed in at over 15,000kgs – it’s difficult to imagine that weight, so think of 441 average small sideboard instead!

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in our continuing success story

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September 2023

Well done! Yes, to all of us!

Thank you again for all your lovely donations of furniture and household goods and if you were able to gift aid those donations to us, that was very helpful for us too – we love it when the taxman has to help us out! While we’re thanking everyone, we’ve not forgotten our customers! You too are part of our success and we hope you enjoy your visits here and have found a bargain or two?

Our customers have been so delighted to find so many bits and pieces they need for their homes that they have bought over 1,600 items this month! Your donations and purchases help to keep Storeroom a going concern and we continue to offer a useful service especially to people in need, who are referred to us by one of over 50 support agencies.

All your purchases amounted to over 13,000kgs of furniture and household goods which were re-used rather than taken to our island tip. It is difficult to imagine that weight, so instead try to visualise 280 average sideboards!

Storeroom would not be operating without the invaluable help and support of our hard-working volunteer team, who gave us over 240 hours of their time and expertise in September. They help with so many different tasks to keep Storeroom up and running for the benefit of everyone in our local community.

Want to be part of our volunteer team? Call Kerri on 01983 298679.

Remember, re-use rules

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August 2023

Thank you for your support in August. We have all been busy here, accepting your kind donations and keeping everything clean and tidy for our customers. Our volunteers ensure that Storeroom can keep its doors open to everyone and without them we would not be here. They kindly gave us over 300 hours of their time this month and their support really is invaluable.

So, how did we all do? Well thanks to you, our customers, nearly 17,500kgs of furniture and household goods went to new homes rather than our island landfill. That would amount to 320 double wardrobes!!!

It makes a difference to our environment and helps other people too, those who cannot afford to purchase new and struggle to make ends meet. Sadly, with the austerity measures, more and more people need a helping hand. This August we collected re-usable items from almost 1,000 homes and over 500 families benefitted from being able to purchase affordable second-hand furniture and household goods for their homes.

Thank you again for your support.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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July 2023

Thank you for supporting Storeroom this month! People visit us for all sorts of reasons, apart from wanting to buy something specific. Up-cyclers look about for inspiration, bargain hunters for, well, bargains and other people just like to pop in regularly and look around, just in case! Everyone benefits from our free parking right outside and our opening days/hours of Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Our thanks go out to all the kind people who kindly donated their unwanted but reusable furniture and other household goods to Storeroom. Everything is gratefully received and soon finds new homes. Some items barely get a price tag on them before they are back off out the door!

Everything at Storeroom happens because we have such a great band of regular volunteers, who ensure it all runs smoothly and who deal with all sorts of problems, fueled mostly on tea, coffee, the occasional bit of cake and of course our profuse thanks! These lovely people gave us over 250 hours of their time in July and we would not be here without them.

Together we have saved over 14,500kgs from going to our island landfill. GO US!!!! Can’t imagine that weight? Well it’s about the same as 1,000 coffee tables! Imagine that squashed into our island landfill. Madness!

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in our growing success story

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June 2023

Once again our local community has supported each other by donating the items they no longer needed. Storeroom’s volunteer group has helped keep everything together by assisting in our shop, in the warehouse and on the vans. These wonderful people gave over 280 hours of their time and we couldn’t manage without them all.

Customers are still coming in to see what bargains they can find at Storeroom and many people in need are still being referred to us by one of 50 agencies across the island. In June over 1,200 items were purchased which equals nearly 12,000kgs of tonnage which didn’t go to our island tip – and to help you image that weight as furniture, think over 300 desks.

Keeping Storeroom open is so important as we often accept items that other agencies cannot, plus we are able to help people in need who would not be able to afford to purchase furniture elsewhere, even through other re-use outlets.

Did you think you would only ever buy new things for your home? If you’ve been to Storeroom already, you may well have found that pre-loved is not a bad idea, especially so if you’re not sure exactly what you want, or how it would work/fit in your home. Many people visit us not intending to make a purchase – and they do, other people visit looking for a desk and leave with a lawnmower!

Remember, re-use rules!

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May 2023

Thank you all again for your help and support! The donations of furniture and household items made to Storeroom often end up in homes where furniture is something of a luxury and people in need really do appreciate it. Some of our furniture is purchased by keen up cyclers to work their magic!

Well, now for the exciting bit – how much did we save from landfill this month? Nearly 12,500kgs which was made up of over 1,500 items!!! Or around 400 average armchairs if that’s easier to imagine than the weight. Well done and thank you very much!

Our volunteers are a great bunch, all sorts of people, who help in all sorts of ways. Their common denominator is that they believe in Storeroom and want to keep us up and running. In May they gave us over 300 hours of their time! We couldn’t manage without them. They do all sorts of things including helping customers in the shop, keeping the premises clean and tidy; they even go out with our van drivers to collect or deliver furniture! If you fancy joining in why not get in touch via 01983 298679!

Cowes Men’s Shed celebrated their 5^th birthday this month!! Why not come along and see what’s happening? Fix something, build something, invent something, share your skills with like minded men with an interest in drinking tea! The shed is ready to welcome you Monday to Friday between 10am – 3pm, 50 weeks of the year at 25,26 Somerton Industrial Park, off Newport Road, Cowes, PO31 8PA. Parking is free at the Cowes Park and Ride bus stop, which is just two minutes walk along the road. Everyone 18+ welcome. FREE membership!

Storeroom – making a difference

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April 2023

This month you all played a BIG part in a small but growing success story!

Together with YOUR help we:

Re-used =over 1,500 items
Saved over 12,000kgs from landfill (what is that in furniture? Over 350 average sideboards…. WOW)
YOU donated almost 400 items to Storeroom
AND our wonderful team of volunteers gave us over 250 hours of their time!

What a great team we all are!

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March 2023

What a busy month March was! Thank you all so much for keeping those donations coming in and for making purchases from our shop. All monies spent help to keep Storeroom open to all.

Together we save many bulky items of furniture from maybe ending up in our island landfill and it means those that cannot afford the luxury of buying new items have the chance to affordably make their living space into a more comfortable home. During March we were able to re-use almost 1,500 items which totalled over 15,00kgs or imagine that weight instead as similar to 350 reclining armchairs. WOW!

Just a reminder to you all that without the help given by our team of volunteers the day to day running of Storeroom would not be possible. They are all ordinary people, who together help make something extraordinary happen! During March they kindly gave us over 300 hours of their own time, doing all sorts of things including helping customers in the shop, keeping the premises clean and tidy; they even go out with our van drivers to collect or deliver furniture! If you fancy joining in why not get in touch via 01983 298679!

You have all done very well indeed and remember, you are a big part in a small, but growing success story.

Thank you from all of us at Storeroom2010

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February 2023

This is such a strange time of year as many people are still very much counting the cost of Christmas. Hopefully your finances are on an even keel. There is a variety of help available on the Island from so many different agencies; too many to mention really, but don’t forget to make Storeroom your first stop if you need new or replacement furniture. Affordable prices and downright bargains are always to be found here and new to us stock arrives every weekday we are open.

This month we benefitted from fantastic donations of furniture and household goods that will make a lot of people happy, especially those who may be struggling at the moment and cannot afford to buy new. Second hand means giving household items a second chance and helps our customers to save money too.

Around 11,700kg of furniture and household goods was saved from destruction by our community. That weight would look like 807 average occasional tables. Well done everyone in making this happen!

The Cowes Men’s Shed welcomes new members all year round. Membership is free; women are welcome and make up nearly a third of the membership! Not sure if its for you? It costs nothing to find out and you can bring a friend along with you for company. There’s a well equipped carpentry workshop, hobby room with IT area and gardens with raised beds and polytunnels. Won’t be long now and our plants will all be waking up for the Spring. Call Adam for more information on 01983 209734.

Do you have some time to spare? Have you ever thought about volunteering? Team Storeroom volunteers gave us over 250 hours this month. If you fancy joining them, please give our General Manager Kerri a call on 01983 298679. If you’re looking for paid work, having volunteering experience on your CV can be a great help and might provide you with some relevant work experience too. Go on, you know you want to!

Or if you are looking now for paid work, Storeroom is currently looking for an office apprentice – could this be YOU? Please see our social media for more information.

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in our continuing success story

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January 2023

A New Year and so far, so good 😊 How are your resolutions going? Are you recycling more this year?

A short month for us this January as we didn’t re-open from our Christmas and New Year break until the 10^th, but we’ve been busy – and so have you, with your kind donations to Storeroom charity and to the Cowes Men’s Shed too!

Around 11,500kg of furniture and household goods was saved from destruction by our community. That weight would look like 215 average large sofas. Whew! Much better to reuse.

This month our wonderful customers made over 1,200 purchases. Many of these people were very happy indeed to find just what they needed at Storeroom at affordable prices, and to not have to pay for expensive brand new furniture.

Team Storeroom volunteers gave us over 200 hours this month. They really do keep our doors open to everyone and without their hard work we would not be here. Thank you to them all.

The Cowes Men’s Shed had a little get together at the end of the month and it was good to see members old and new, as well as some visitors who had not been before. Remember, Shed membership is FREE and 27% of our members are women – its not just for men!

Storeroom is currently looking for an office apprentice, please see our social media for more information.

Please continue to support Storeroom in any way you can; purchase, donate or volunteer

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December 2022

We hope you all enjoyed the festive season and thank you for your support, right up until our two-week closure began. Another year has gone by, rather too fast for our liking

We look forward to another year of serving our island community together!

This month we have together saved over 11,000kgs from going to landfill. What does that weight look like? Well, imagine 360 average Chest of Drawers. Quite a heap . . .Your donations of furniture and other household items which are ready for immediate re-use have stopped all those lovely things being sent to the tip and squashed into the ground, which is a really wicked waste. People in need can choose to purchase from a great variety of furniture and household goods available at Storeroom at our very affordable prices; often there is almost too much to choose from.

Our volunteers gave us nearly 200 hours this month and without them we would not be here for you all. They come in whatever the weather (and it got cold), some for just a few hours a week, some for several days each week. Team Storeroom, a force to be reckoned with!

Why don’t you make a different New Year resolution for 2023 and try to recycle more than ever this year? Or if you have time to spare why not consider becoming a volunteer?

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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November 2022

During November our volunteers gave us over 250 hours of their own time and without our volunteers we would not be here serving the island community. Our volunteers provide such a valuable task force for Storeroom and help with so much which keeps the charity up and running for all of us to benefit.

Thank you again for so many lovely donations of furniture and household goods; and if you were able to gift aid those donations to us, that was very helpful too – we love it when the taxman has to help us out. While we’re thanking everyone, we’ve not forgotten our customers! You too are part of our success, and we hope you enjoy your visits here and have found a bargain or two. Don’t forget to tell your friends about us!

Your purchases in November (over 1,200 items!) saved over 14,000kgs from being taken to our island landfill – what does that weight look like? Around the same almost 400 average dining tables. Imagine all that useful stuff being squashed in the ground at OUR island tips. Madness!

We hope you all enjoy the run up to the festive season. We always have a useful supply of household goods here for those last-minute presents.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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October 2022

Many thanks to all our supporters this month. We visited 200 homes to collect your kind donations and saw around 500 customers who made purchases, large and small for their homes. All this super re-use activity meant that over 16,000kgs of perfectly re-usable furniture and household items did not go to our island landfill. What does that weight look like? Well, about the same as 450 dressing tables – phew! It would be quite mad to push that into the ground every month!

Do you have any regular free time when you could volunteer at Storeroom? Last month our team gave us over 200 hours of their time and we could not manage without them. Some people just come in for an hour or two once a week, some come in for a few days. They enjoy the company, the buzz you get from helping people and often make new friends too. In return we can only offer you tea, coffee, and our sincere gratitude, with the occasional cake too!

The weather has finally changed into something more appropriate for the time of year, so if you want to make your home a little cosier, we have various back up heating options, loads of cushions, table lamps, bedding, and curtains too!

Thank you again everyone for helping others in our community. Brace yourselves, as you know what is coming soon. . . LOL

HELP TO REDUCE LANDFILL BY GIVING YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE

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September 2022

Thank you once again to everyone for your kind donations of furniture and household goods. A big thank you too for all our customers! During September you purchased over 1,100 items and together we have saved a little under 17,000kgs from our island landfill by practicing re-use. That’s the same weight as OVER 1000 average coffee tables!

Volunteers are the glue that keeps everything at Storeroom together, they are the reason we are open for you all. Our volunteers gave us nearly 300 hours this month and without them we would not be here for you at all. They come in whatever the weather, some for just a few hours a week, some for several days each week.

Don’t forget the Cowes Men’s Shed, our Community Project brought to you by Storeroom and supported by the National Lottery. There is free membership for everyone aged 18+ and more information on our website or on the Shed Facebook page, search for Men in Sheds Cowes to find it.

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Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in our continuing success story

August 2022

Our handful of staff and trusty band of volunteers have all worked so hard again to keep everything running as smoothly as possible here, and they all do an excellent job! The volunteers have given us around 250 hours of their own time this month and for Storeroom that is invaluable.

Well, now for the exciting bit – how much did we save from landfill this month? Over 13,000kgs which was made up of over 1,100 items!!! Or over 260 large sideboards if that’s easier to imagine. Well done and thank you all very much!

Please come along to our shop and warehouse. Remember that your custom helps Storeroom to stay open for everyone and provides a much-needed service for the referred clients who benefit from lower prices.

Please continue to support Storeroom in any way you can; purchase, donate or volunteer.

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July 2022

On 1^st July we reached our 12^th birthday! WOW, doesn’t time fly? We celebrated with a selection of cakes and a special display board featuring just a few of our many achievements over the years.

A big thank you to all the wonderful people who donated furniture and household goods to Storeroom this month. Also, a huge thank you to our fabulous volunteer team for their time, over 350 hours in just this one month! You have ALL helped to keep this island charity open to everyone in our community!

Well, how did we all do in July? Over 14,000kgs of furniture and other household items, about the same weight as 380 average dining tables, did not go to the tip as they were re-used!

Please come visit our shop and warehouse. Remember that your custom helps Storeroom to stay open for everyone, and provides a much needed service for the referred clients who benefit from lower prices on many items.

Storeroom is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. You may be surprised at just what is available here; we often are, as we never know what is going to be donated next!

If you are over 18 and would like to take advantage of the Cowes Men’s Shed’s fully equipped carpentry workshop and horticulture areas, or just enjoy a cuppa and the company of others, please call our Shed’s project leader, Adam on 01983 209734 for more information. Remember, its FREE membership at the Cowes Men’s Shed!!!

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in our continuing success story

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June 2022

Once again, you amaze us with your continued support, customers are still coming in to see what bargains they can find at Storeroom and many people in need are still being referred to us by one of 50 agencies across the island.

This was another busy month for us all at Storeroom. Donated items came thick and fast, and you all supported us by purchasing so many things, over 1,000 of them, which together weighed approximately 12,500kgs! – and to help imagine that kind of weight stuffed into the ground, think of 1,000 average 40” TVs.

All this could not have been achieved without our band of cheerful volunteers. In June they worked over 300 hours, fuelled just by tea, coffee and of course our sincere gratitude! Many thanks Team Storeroom!

Please think of Storeroom if you have an item, you no longer use, and which is ready for immediate re-use. We are here solely to serve our island community who need help to affordably make their living space into a home. Do call us on 298679 if you have something to donate.

So, you have all done very well indeed and remember, you are a big part in a small, but growing success story. Thank you from Storeroom, an island charity dedicated to helping island people.

Storeroom2010, making a difference

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May 2022

Once again, our local community has supported each other by donating the items they no longer needed. Storeroom’s volunteer group has helped keep everything together by assisting in our shop, warehouse, on the vans and in the office. These wonderful people gave over 300 hours of their time, and we couldn’t manage without them all.

Our super and very loyal customers purchased over 1,300 items which amounts to almost 16,000kgs in tonnage. By everyone trying to re-use items rather than just throwing them away, it saves our tip from being filled up quickly. So you can imagine that weight more easily, it is equivalent to around 325 average 2 Seater Sofas; so much better being re-used rather than being squashed into the ground!

The Shed celebrated it’s fourth Birthday this month. Why not come along and see what’s happening? Fix something, build something, invent something, share your skills with like-minded people with an interest in drinking tea! The shed is ready to welcome you Monday to Friday between 10am – 3pm, 50 weeks of the year at 25,26 Somerton Industrial Park, just next door! Parking is available at the Cowes Park and Ride bus stop, which is just two minutes’ walk along the road. Everyone 18+ welcome. FREE membership when you enrol, please contribute £1 a day towards refreshments

Let’s do it all again next month!

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April 2022

Storeroom had another busy month with a wonderful variety of items donated. Thank you to everyone who chose to help reuse unwanted furniture and household items rather than taking them to the tip.

Our kind hearted volunteer team worked over 250 hours during April to keep Storeroom open for the general public, our referred clients and all you bargain hunters out there! We really could not manage without our volunteers; so, if you have a half day or full day during the week to spare, get in touch on 01983 298679 and join our team!

As ever, purchases made at Storeroom mean that, not only does your money help to keep the charity sustainable, but it is also good for our environment as that means unwanted items have not ended up at our island landfill. Your purchases this month saved over 14,250kgs from being thrown away. To imagine that weight, try to think of 250 average lounge units like this one, instead.

Don’t forget, Storeroom is one of the best places on the island for a wide and affordable selection of pre-loved furniture and household goods, so come and see us soon! FREE parking right outside.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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March 2022

Storeroom had another good month with a wonderful variety of items donated. Thank you to everyone who chose to recycle unwanted furniture and household items rather than taking them to the tip. All that recycling does make a difference as you will see from our figures for the month.

Re-use of furniture and household items saves a surprising amount from our island landfill. In March our customers purchased almost 1,200 items, which together weighed in at nearly 14,500 kgs. That’s a pretty large number to get your head around so instead try to imagine around 300 two-seater Sofas going to a better home!

We wouldn’t be able to succeed every month if it wasn’t for our fabulous volunteers. They generously gave us a combined total of approximately 300 hours of their time!

Storeroom will be closed over the Easter weekend, more info to follow closer to the time.

Thank you everyone for your continued support for Storeroom

Remember re-use RULES!!

Thank you for supporting Storeroom and remember – Re-use Rules!

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February 2022

Well done to our kind and generous Island community! Your lovely donations of furniture and household items meant that just under 1,200 useful items did not go to the island landfill. That little lot weighed in at over 12,000kgs in weight, or try to imagine instead 850 average coffee tables squashed into the ground! Instead, all these items are on their way to finding a new home, much better!

All of you, our customers have a huge role in our success, and we hope you enjoy your visits here and have found a bargain or two for your homes. And if you haven’t visited us yet, you never know, you might just find what you never knew you always wanted!

If you can gift aid your donations to us that is a great help too and we can all take great pleasure in knowing that the taxman has to help us out!

The volunteers at Storeroom are a friendly bunch and give us their time and invaluable help on a regular basis. We never forget that Storeroom could not function without their assistance. Last month they worked around 350 hours fuelled just by tea, coffee and biscuits!

Thank you for supporting Storeroom and remember – Re-use Rules!

Thank you for supporting Storeroom and remember – Re-use Rules!

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January 2022

Here we go with another year at Storeroom! And we are off to a great start! Thank you so much to all our customers that either came in to see us and made a purchase or two, as well as those who donated their unwanted, but re-usable furniture and household goods. We simply wouldn’t be here without you.

Also, we are extremely grateful to our group of volunteers that, this month gave us over 250 hours of their time! We are always on the lookout for new volunteers therefore if you, or anyone you know, might be interested in joining our team please pop in and speak to a member of staff or call us on 298679.

Due to our Christmas and New Year closure, we were not open for the full month of January, despite this we still managed to visit over 200 homes effecting both deliveries and collections! We also saved over 10,000kgs from going to landfill. If this is difficult to visualise, try to imagine around 800 nests of tables all squished into the ground!

Thank you all once again for your superb support, if you would like to help us even further, please tell all your friends and family about us we can continue to look after you and our community on this beautiful Island.

Thanks for reading, have a great February!

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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December 2021

At last! Here we are with our usual monthly report for you.

December wasn’t an easy month for us, as we were so short staffed (like everyone) and then we were closed for the last week of the month too, for our usual break over the festive season. We do apologise to everyone. But, some things still went very well – read on!

During December our Volunteer Team gave us over 250 hours of their time, which is really generous when you consider how busy everyone always is in the run up to Christmas. A big thank you again to all our volunteers – you know who you are! And bye to Pete who hung up his Storeroom fleece after EIGHT years with us. Missing you already!

In December, we were not able to get to you all as promptly as we would all have liked to collect the items so generously offered to us. Again, we were short staffed within our van team. However, we did manage to visit more than 150 homes to pick up your donations and our customers purchased nearly a thousand items which saved almost 12,000kgs from landfill about the same weight as 332 average dressing tables. Thank you all again.

Don’t forget, to keep Storeroom open to all Island residents, we need you to tell your friends about us and keep everyone aware of who we are, where we are, and what we can all do for our Island Community.

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Wealthy New Year!

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in our continuing success story

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November 2021

During November our volunteers gave us over 360 hours of their own time and without our volunteers we would not be here serving the island community. Our volunteers provide such a valuable task force for Storeroom and help with so much which keeps the charity up and running for all of us to benefit.

Your purchases in November (over 1,100 items!) saved nearly 14,000kgs from being taken to our island landfill – what does that weight look like? Around the same as 375 average dining tables. Imagine all that useful stuff being squashed in the ground at OUR island tip. Madness!

We hope you all enjoy the run up to the festive season. We always have a useful supply of household goods here for those last minute presents. See you in December and this year we are open right up to 4pm on Christmas Eve.

Thank you again for your support and remember – Re-use Rules!

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October 2021

We have been a little behind this month due to staff annual leave, so our apologies if you have experienced a delay.

Thank you for continuing to support Storeroom with your kind donations of unwanted, but re-usable furniture and household items. We have had lots of lovely things donated to us this month and many happy customers finding things they can afford to buy now, rather than getting into debt to purchase brand new expensive items. The monies raised from these sales helps to keep Storeroom open for everyone, whether you are a person/family in need, a keen up-cycler, or a bargain hunter.

Volunteers are the glue that keeps everything at Storeroom together, they are the reason we can be open for you all. Our volunteers gave us nearly 300 hours this month and without them we would not be here. They come in whatever the weather, some for just a few hours a week, some for several days each week.

Now onto the green stuff! This month we together have saved nearly 1,200 pieces of furniture and household items from our island landfill. These items weighed in at over 12,000kgs – it’s difficult to imagine that weight, so think of 400 average chests of drawers instead!

Don’t forget the Cowes Men’s Shed, the Community Project brought to you by Storeroom and supported by the National Lottery. There is free membership for everyone aged 18+ and more information on our website or on the Shed Facebook page, search for Men in Sheds Cowes to find it.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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September 2021

Thank you ever so much for your kind custom this month and for all your brilliant donations of furniture and household items. You have helped to keep this island charity open to everyone!

During September, with your help, we saved just under 14,500kgs (made up from around 1000 items, big and small) from going to the tip. Just so you can imagine this amount of furniture, it is about the same as 750 TV Units!

All this would not have happened if it were not for our fabulous volunteers who gave us around 350 hours of their time this month.

Thank you everyone for your support during these strange times. Storeroom is still up and running and continues to offer a useful and valuable service to all members of the island community.

Storeroom2010 is open 10am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday with free parking right outside! See you soon.

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in our continuing success story

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August 2021

August was another busy month for us at Storeroom. Donated items came thick and fast (thank you!) and you also supported us by purchasing so many different things. We were able to be prompt with our deliveries, and we were usually able to make collections for within 2 weeks of booking.

Our volunteers, as always, were great! They gave us over 300 hours of their time during the month. This meant we could continue to provide a service to our island community that we would otherwise be unable to fully offer.

Our customers have been so delighted to find so many bits and pieces they need for their homes that they have bought over 1,100 items this month! Your donations and purchases help to keep Storeroom a going concern and we continue to offer a useful service especially to people in need, who are referred to us by one of over 50 support agencies.

Thank you everyone for your support during these strange times. Storeroom continues to offer a useful and valuable service to all members of the island community.

Want to be part of our volunteer team? Call Kerri on 01983 298679.

Remember, re-use rules!

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July 2021

Storeroom’s amazing team of volunteers have helped keep everything together by assisting in our shop, in the warehouse, and on the vans. These wonderful people gave over 355 hours of their time, and we could not manage without them all.

This month we have together saved nearly 14.000kgs from going to landfill. Your donations of furniture and other household items which are ready for immediate re-use have stopped all those lovely things being sent to the tip and squashed into the ground, which is a wicked waste. People in need can choose to purchase from a great variety of furniture and household goods available at Storeroom at our very affordable prices; often there is almost too much to choose from!

We look forward to seeing you soon for your pre-loved bargains! We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Do not forget we advertise lots of items on www.wightbay.com search for Storeroom2010 on their home page

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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June 2021

Once again, our local community have supported each other by donating the items they no longer needed. Storeroom’s amazing team of volunteers have helped keep everything together by assisting in our shop, in the warehouse, and on the vans. These wonderful people gave nearly 350 hours of their time, and we could not manage without them all.

Customers are still coming in to see what bargains they can find at Storeroom and many people in need are still being referred to us by one of over 50 agencies across the island. In June over 1200 items were purchased which equals over 12,000kgs of tonnage which did not go to our island tip – and to help you image that weight as furniture, think of 220 Wardrobes!

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our continuing success story

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May 2021

Thank you ever so much for your kind custom this month and for all your brilliant donations of furniture and household items. You have helped to keep this island charity open to everyone!

During May, with your help, we saved just under 14,000kgs (made up from around 1200 items, big and small) from going to the tip. Just so you can imagine this amount of furniture, it is about the same as 205 Washing Machines!

All this would not have happened if it were not for our fabulous volunteers who gave us over 400 hours of their time this month.

Thank you everyone for your support during these strange times. Storeroom is still up and running and continues to offer a useful and valuable service to all members of the island community.

Remember, re-use rules!

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April 2021

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE BACK!

It’s been lovely to see you all coming to see us at Storeroom and most made a purchase or two. Many of you also donated items to us; so, thank you all very much for helping to keep this valuable service available for our island community.

As you may have seen, we currently have a large selection of plants now available at Storeroom. Prices starting from as low as £1 each!! All are grown in site at our Community project, The Cowes Men’s Shed and all sales monies go to the Shed not Storeroom.

Due to the lockdown, we were unable to open this year until the 13^th of April and yet our customers purchased nearly 1,000 items this month which saved around 9,000kgs from going to landfill. It’s difficult to imagine what that would mean – so think of 175 average large sideboards instead!

Helping Storeroom this month were our wonderful group of volunteers; they happily gave us over 260 hours of their own free time, looking after the shop and warehouse and helping on the vans with collections and deliveries too. They are the reason Storeroom can stay open for everyone, as without them the running costs would be unmanageable.

If you would like to join TEAM STOREROOM, please call the office on 01983 298679 or email our Volunteer manager on: kerriatstoreroom@yahoo.co.uk

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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March 2021

This month we were again closed due to the Government Lockdown. We will re-open on 13th April 2021

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February 2021

This month we were again closed due to the Government Lockdown. But here is some information on how, together with our Community’s support, we have helped since we opened in July 2010.

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January 2021

This month we were closed due to the Government Lockdown. But here is some information on how, together with your help, we did last year overall.

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December 2020

A very Happy New Year to you and yours from all at Team Storeroom.

We hope you all enjoyed the festive season (as much as you could this year) and we thank you for all your support in 2020! Another year has gone by for us and what a funny old year it has been too. Sadly, we just ran out of time and delivery/collection slots to keep everyone happy before our usual Christmas and New Year closure, but we did do our best!

Unfortunately, this January there is another Lockdown, so things are not back to ‘normal’ yet.

With your help Storeroom will continue to serve our local community by collecting unwanted, but useful items which are no longer needed and by offering affordable furniture and household goods at our shop and warehouse – just watch this space!

Because we have such a loyal band of volunteer helpers who regularly give their own time to help us, we manage to provide a good service for our Community. In December, our volunteers gave nearly 250 hours to keep our doors open to all and happily assisted our drivers, helped customers in the shop and just got on with anything that needed doing to keep everything clean and tidy and running smoothly.

December was a short month this year, what with the tail end of the Lockdown and then our usual Christmas and New Year closure; but we have saved over 9,000kgs of furniture and household goods from being squashed into the ground. And what does that weight look like? Try to imagine 627 average coffee tables instead!

Why don’t you make a different New Year resolution for 2021 and try to recycle more than ever this year?

Remember, re-use rules!

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November 2020

Unfortunately, we were closed from 5^th November due to the second Coronavirus lockdown. The Government considered Storeroom to be non-essential retail.

Our thanks go out to all the lovely people who kindly donated their unwanted but reusable furniture and other household goods to Storeroom. Some customers had to be put on hold; we thank you all for your patience and we are now contacting everyone with an outstanding potential collection to get you booked in.

The volunteers at Storeroom are a friendly bunch and gave us a few hours of their time while we were still open. We never forget that Storeroom could not function without their assistance. Last month they worked over 50 hours fuelled just by tea and coffee!

Your lovely donations of furniture and household items over just a couple of days meant that over 200 useful items did not go to the island landfill. Those items weighed in at just over 3,500kgs in weight, or try to imagine instead 455 average stools squashed into the ground.

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our continuing success story

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October 2020

Thank you to the nearly 200 homes that donated their re-usable, but unwanted items to us this month. You all play a huge part in keeping this Island charity viable, supporting us by making purchases too and the re-use of these items saves so much from going into our island landfill. In October over 14,300kgs was saved from being squashed into a hole in the ground. What does that weight look like? Well imagine instead 381 average large desks!

We were able to be prompt with our deliveries for you, but unfortunately our collection booking dates are still a few weeks in advance due to the demand for our service.

During October our volunteers gave us over 450 hours of their own time and without our volunteers we would not be here serving the island community. These people from all walks of life, provide an amazing task force for Storeroom and help with all aspects of keeping the charity up and running.

Don’t forget, Storeroom is one of the best places on the island for a wide and affordable selection of pre-loved furniture and household goods, so do come and see us soon!

We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm – apart from when we are in lockdown ☹

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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September 2020

September was another busy month for us at Storeroom. Donated items came thick and fast (thank you!) and you also supported us by purchasing so many different things. We were able to be prompt with our deliveries, but unfortunately our collection booking dates are still a few weeks in advance due to the demand for our service.

Our volunteers, as always, were great! They gave us over 450 hours of their time during the month. This meant we could continue to provide a service to our island community that we would otherwise be unable to fully offer.

Our customers have been so delighted to find so many bits and pieces they need for their homes that they have bought over 1,500 items this month! Your donations and purchases help to keep Storeroom a going concern and we continue to offer a useful service especially to people in need, who are referred to us by one of over 50 support agencies.

All your purchases amounted to almost 16,500kgs of furniture and household goods which were re-used rather than taken to our island tip. It is difficult to imagine that weight, so instead try to visualise 529 average chests of drawers!

Thank you everyone for your support during these difficult financial times. Storeroom continues to offer a useful and valuable service to all members of the island community.

Want to be part of our volunteer team? Call Kerri on 01983 298679.

Remember, re-use rules!

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August 2020

Another month, another successful report!

We want to say thank you all for your continued support. This month we are extremely busy, and collection booking dates are a few weeks in advance, so please bear this in mind when you are arranging to donate your items to us. We really appreciate your patience and understanding at this time.

As ever, purchases made at Storeroom mean that items have not been sent to the tip. This is great for our environment! During August nearly 1,400 items were saved and re-used, which is over 12,500kgs or the equivalent of 239 average large sofas! Just try to imagine all those squashed into the ground. How mad is that?

Our volunteers were busy as always helping the customers, keeping everything neat and tidy around the shop and warehouse or were out on the vans helping our drivers with collections and deliveries. They kindly gave us nearly 300 hours of their time during the month and we really could not manage without them. If you have a half day or full day during the week to spare, get in touch and join Team Storeroom! Call Kerri on 01983 298679.

Don’t forget, Storeroom is one of the best places on the island for a wide and affordable selection of pre-loved furniture and household goods, so come and see us soon and save yourself some money!

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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July 2020

Life goes on after the Coronavirus lockdown and Storeroom is open and serving our island community. The Cowes Men’s Shed is open too and had several new members join.

Thank you for all your fabulous donations! So many useful things! Our customers are so grateful to all the wonderful people who can make a donation of furniture and/or household goods to Storeroom. It gives many people who just cannot afford to buy brand new, the chance to affordably purchase the items they need.

Storeroom is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Please bear with us when trying to arrange deliveries and collections as recently we have not been able to put two vans out every day.

Together with your amazing help we have been able to save over 14,700kgs of re-usable furniture and household goods from being sent to our island landfill. That is about the same weight as 428 average small sideboards! How super to save these items from being thrown away.

Our volunteers have kindly given us over 400 hours of their time in July and we would not be here without them. If you have a half day or full day during the week to spare, get in touch and join Team Storeroom! Call Kerri on 01983 298679.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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June 2020

We were finally allowed to re-open on 2^nd June after the coronavirus lock down and we would like to thank you all for continuing to support Storeroom with your kind donations of unwanted, but re-usable furniture and household items.

We have had lots of lovely goodies donated to us this month and working alongside the 72-hour quarantine rule, we have managed to get as much stock displayed for sale as we could. Quarantine has now been reduced to 48 hours. Many happy customers have found things they could afford to buy, rather than getting into debt to purchase brand new.

We are back to our normal working hours Tuesday–Saturday, 10am-4pm. We currently only have one van out Tuesday – Friday with the possibility of two when we can. So therefore, please bear with us when trying to arrange deliveries and collections.

Once again, we have all done our best to help our community and our environment too. Together with you we have been able to save nearly 12,800kgs of re-usable furniture and household goods from being sent to our island landfill. That is about the same weight as 397 average bureaus! It would be downright crazy to squash these perfectly good things into the ground.

A large number of our volunteers were not able to return to us, but those who could, have kindly given us nearly 400 hours of their time in June and we could not have got through the month without them. If you have a half day or full day during the week to spare, get in touch and join Team Storeroom! Call Kerri on 01983 298679.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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May 2020

Unfortunately we were closed for the whole month due to the Coronavirus lockdown. The Government considered Storeroom to be non-essential retail.

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April 2020

Unfortunately we were closed for the whole month due to the Coronavirus lockdown. The Government considered Storeroom to be non-essential retail.

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March 2020

We are usually open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm, but during the Coronavirus Government lock down directive we are temporarily closed.

Our thanks go out to all the lovely people who kindly donated their unwanted but reusable furniture and other household goods to Storeroom. Everything is gratefully received and soon finds new homes. Some items barely get a price tag on them before they are back off out the door!

Thank you everyone for your help in making sure as much furniture is re-used as possible on the Isle of Wight. This month we have together saved over 10,500kgs from going to our island landfill. You can’t imagine that weight? Well it’s about the same as 582 average rocking chairs! Imagine that squashed into our island landfill. Madness!

Everything at Storeroom happens because we have such a great band of regular volunteers who help everything to run smoothly. Our volunteer team are fuelled mostly on tea, coffee, the occasional bit of cake and of course our profuse thanks! These lovely people gave us nearly 350 hours of their time in March and we would not be here without them.

When we re-open, don’t forget there is free parking right outside our front door and the park and ride Cowes bus stop is just 100 yards up the road.

Remember, re-use rules!

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February 2020

Well done to our kind and generous island community! Your lovely donations of furniture and household items meant that over 1,100 useful items did not go to the island landfill. That little lot weighed in at just over 13,000kgs in weight, or try to imagine instead 247 average large sofas squashed into the ground . . . A very bad thing indeed.

We never forget that you all contribute to our success and we hope you enjoy your visits here and have found a bargain or two for your homes. And if you haven’t visited us yet, you never know, you might just find what you never knew you always wanted!

If you can gift aid your donations to us that is a great help too and we can all take great pleasure in knowing that the taxman has to help us out.

Thank you for supporting Storeroom and remember – Re-use Rules!

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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January 2020

Re-use of furniture and household items saves a surprising amount from our island landfill. In January our customers purchased over 1,100 items, which together weighed in at nearly 10,900kgs.

We wouldn’t be able to succeed every month if it wasn’t for our fabulous volunteers. They generously gave us over 350 hours of their time.

January was a cold month here at Storeroom, so if you visit us in February – don’t forget to WRAP UP WARM!

Thank you everyone for your continuing support for Storeroom

Remember re-use RULES!!

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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December 2019

We hope you all enjoyed the festive season and thank you for your support, right up until our two-week closure began.

We look forward to serving the island community in 2020. We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. Don’t forget there is free parking right outside our front door and the Cowes Park and Ride bus stop is just 100 yards up the road.

This month we have together saved over 9,400kgs from going to landfill. Your donations of furniture and other household items which are ready for immediate re-use have stopped all those lovely things being sent to the tip and squashed into the ground, which is a really wicked waste. People in need can choose to purchase from a great variety of furniture and household goods available at Storeroom at our very affordable prices; often there is almost too much to choose from.

Our volunteers gave us nearly 400 hours this month and without them we would not be here for you all. They come in whatever the weather, some for just a few hours a week, some for several days each week. Team Storeroom, a force to be reckoned with!

Why don’t you make a different New Year resolution for 2020 and try to recycle more than ever this year? Or if you have time to spare why not consider becoming a volunteer?

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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November 2019

Well, we are all hurtling towards Christmas and everyone has had to rack their brains for gift ideas. Some of our customers have found books, videos and ornaments to give to family and friends; other customers have found ‘new to them’ furniture for last minute changes to their homes for family get togethers.

Re-use of furniture and household items saves a surprising amount from our island landfill. In November our customers purchased just under 1,300 items, which together weighed in at nearly 14,400kgs (that’s similar to the weight of 244 average wall display units).

What do our volunteers do? They help with deliveries and collections, move stock around and about our warehouse, serve customers and keep everything clean and tidy. Whew! All accomplished with a smile on their faces. We ply them with tea, coffee, squash, biscuits and occasionally cake to keep them going and in November this kept them going for nearly 600 hours!

We are normally open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm but will be closing for the Christmas and New Year from Sunday 22^nd December 2019 and will re-open at 10am on Tuesday 7^th January 2020.

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year! We look forward to 2020 when we hope we can do just that little bit more for our island community and environment.

Remember, re-use rules!

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October 2019

We have been a bit behind this month due to staff holidays, so our apologies if you have experienced a delay in us delivering or collecting items. We expect to resume our normal service around the middle of November.

Volunteers are the glue that keeps everything at Storeroom together, they are the reason we are open for you all. Our volunteers gave us nearly 700 hours this month and without them we would not be here for you at all. They come in whatever the weather, some for just a few hours a week, some for several days each week.

Now onto the green stuff! This month we have together saved nearly 1,450 pieces of furniture and household items from our island landfill. These items weighed in at over 15,000kgs – it’s difficult to imagine that weight, so think of 1,123 average bedside cabinets instead!

Don’t forget the Cowes Men’s Shed, the Community Project brought to you by Storeroom and supported by the National Lottery. Free membership for everyone aged 18+ and more information on this website or on the Shed Facebook page, search for Men in Sheds Cowes.

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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September 2019

Thank you once again to everyone for your kind donations of furniture and household goods. A big thank you too for all our customers! During September you purchased over 1,200 items and together we have saved 12,000kgs from our island landfill by practicing re-use. That’s the same weight as 456 average bookcases!

This month our volunteer team gave us over 600 hours of their time. They do all sorts of things to help at Storeroom, from making a cuppa to helping with deliveries! Without this amazing task force, Storeroom would not be here, as we receive no funding whatsoever to provide this service; so pat yourselves on the back, as it’s all down to this little island’s fantastic community that we are a success.

If you’ve not yet been to visit Storeroom for a browse why not pop over to see us soon? We have a surprising variety of items in stock and not many people look around and leave without something, even if they didn’t think they needed it in the first place! Where else could you find a second-hand canteen of cutlery, a sofa, an iron, a bedside cabinet, a coffee table, a duvet, a microwave, a kettle, some towels, a wardrobe and a lounge unit . . . the list goes on!

The Cowes Men’s Shed has an event this month, please check out the poster on their page on this site.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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August 2019

Our handful of staff and trusty band of volunteers have all worked so hard again to keep everything running as smoothly as possible here, and they all do an excellent job! The volunteers have given us over 500 hours of their own time this month and for Storeroom that is invaluable.

Well, now for the exciting bit – how much did we save from landfill this month? Nearly 13,600kgs which was made up of over 1,250 items!!! Or 1,070 average nests of tables if that’s easier to imagine than the weight. Well done and thank you all very much!

Please come along to our shop and warehouse. Remember that your custom helps Storeroom to stay open for everyone and provides a much needed service for the referred clients who benefit from lower prices.

Please continue to support Storeroom in any way you can; purchase, donate or volunteer. Remember re-use rules!

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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July 2019

July was a successful month for us as we were able to have a good tidy up/move around in both our shop and warehouse and you all seem to have been busy having a sort out too! We have been offered a wide selection of furniture and other household goods you no longer need, and you’ll be pleased to know everything has been put to good use at Storeroom.

Our customers have been delighted to find so many bits and pieces they need for their homes. Your donations and purchases help to keep Storeroom going and we continue to offer a useful service to the general public and especially to people in need, who are referred to us by one of 50 support agencies across the Isle of Wight.

During July our volunteers gave us over 450 hours of their own time and without our volunteers we would not be here serving the island community. They provide such a valuable task force for Storeroom and help with all aspects needed to keep the charity up and running.

July saw over 1,240 items saved from that ever-decreasing hole in the ground at Lynnbottom. These items weighed in at over 16,000kgs, which is equal to 291 average wardrobes. Didn’t we all do well?

Remember, re-use rules!

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June 2019

Once again, we wish to thank you all for your continued support of Storeroom, an island charity dedicated to island people. The fantastic amount of furniture and household goods donated to us were all put to good use.

Keeping Storeroom open is so important as we often accept items that other agencies cannot, plus we are able to help people who would not be able to afford to purchase furniture elsewhere.

During June we sold over 1,000 items, which equals around 13,250 kgs in tonnage, all of which didn’t go to our island tip – and to help you imagine that weight as furniture, think of 426 average chests of drawers.

The volunteers at Storeroom are a friendly bunch and give us their time and invaluable help on a regular basis. We never forget that Storeroom could not function without their assistance. Last month they worked over 450 hours, fuelled just by tea, coffee and sometimes a bit of cake too! Many thanks Team Storeroom ?

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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May 2019

Well done! Yes to all of us! Our supporters from island homes donated their unwanted, but re-usable furniture and household items to Storeroom and customers found things they needed to furnish their home and make it more comfortable.

Once again, we have together saved so much from our Island landfill and provided people on low income with a great choice of very affordable furniture and other household goods. Not forgetting our regular visitors, the upcyclers too; they love a Storeroom bargain to work their magic on!

Our volunteers are a great bunch, all sorts of people, who help in all sorts of ways. Their common denominator is that they believe in Storeroom and want to keep us up and running. In May they gave us over 500 hours of their time! We really couldn’t manage without them. Would you like to be a part of our volunteer team at Storeroom? If yes, please get in touch with our Volunteer Manager Kerri Salter on 298679. Thank you. Even a regular half day a week would help. A whole day would be great!

So, how did we do with the furniture re-use? Well around 1,300 items were purchased in May and that amounted to over 13,800kgs which was not squashed into our island landfill. Can’t imagine that weight? How about thinking of 292 average small dining sets!

And don’t forget about our Community Project, The Cowes Men’s Shed. Membership is free to people aged 18+ and there is a well equipped carpentry workshop and horticultural areas. The Shed is open Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm and you can call the ‘head shed’ Adam on 01983 209734 if you need any further information or just want to have a chat about the Shed.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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April 2019

Numerous people came to see us at Storeroom last month and most made a purchase or two. Many of you also donated items to us; so, thank you all very much for helping to keep this valuable service available for our island community.

Our customers purchased over 1,250 items this month which saved around 14,800kgs from going to landfill. It’s difficult to imagine what that would mean – so think of 299 average small sofas instead!

Helping Storeroom this month were our wonderful group of volunteers; they happily gave us nearly 500 hours of their own free time, looking after the shop and warehouse and helping on the vans with collections and deliveries too. They are the reason Storeroom can stay open for everyone, as without them the running costs would be unmanageable.

If you would like to join TEAM STOREROOM, please contact our volunteer manager Kerri on 01983 298679.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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March 2019

With the lovely weather we have been enjoying this month, we have been able to get our new big sign in place at the top of our car park. It’s very noticeable as you come down into the industrial estate! We now have plants for sale which are displayed in front of Storeroom – these were all raised in our Community Project, The Cowes Men’s Shed. There is plenty of garden furniture also being donated if you fancy a bargain.

Once again, we wish to thank you all for your continued support of Storeroom. Furniture and household goods donated to us are all put to good use and many customers have benefited from being able to purchase affordable items from Storeroom, with people in greatest need benefitting from many reductions to the already low prices if they have a referral from their support agency.

During March we were able to re-use over 1,300 items which totalled nearly 14,600kgs or to imagine that weight instead, think of 248 average lounge units.

Our volunteers amaze us!! During March these lovely people gave us nearly 650 hours of their own time. They have been busy, as always, helping the customers, keeping everything neat, clean and tidy around the shop and warehouse and they were out on the vans too with our drivers, collecting and delivering items.

Our biggest news this month though, was being awarded £95,129 from the National Lottery Community Fund to help support our Cowes Men’s Shed over the next two years. Thank you to all the Lottery players who have made this happen #NationalLottery

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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February 2019

Thank you for continuing to support Storeroom with your kind donations of unwanted but re-usable furniture and household items. We have had lots of lovely goodies donated to us this month and many happy customers finding things they can afford to buy rather than getting into debt in order to purchase brand new. The monies raised from these sales helps to keep Storeroom open for everyone, whether you are a person in need, a keen up-cycler or a bargain hunter!

This month we saved nearly 13,300 kgs from our landfill, which is equal to around 678 average TV units. That is something we can all be very proud of.

As ever, Storeroom gives thanks to our wonderful volunteers, who help us to keep everything going and our doors open to everyone. They ‘muck’ in and do whatever needs doing and gave us over 600 hours of their time. We are always looking for volunteers to help in the shop, on the vans, or in the warehouse, so if you can spare a regular time each week, even if only a half day, please get in touch with our Volunteer Manager Kerri on 01983 298679. Thank you.

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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January 2019

We have been busy since we re-opened after our fortnight’s Christmas and New Year closure and are now very much back in the swing of things!. Once again we have all done our best to help our community and our environment too. Together with you we have been able to save over 12,700kgs of re-usable furniture and household goods from being sent to our island landfill. That is about the same weight as 396 average bureaux! It would be downright crazy to squash these perfectly good things into the ground.

Where does all our stock come from? Many people across the island who are buying new furniture or downsizing to a smaller home do think of Storeroom for their very kind donations. We also are offered goods from businesses and from people who are selling a holiday home. Some of these pieces are quite pristine, others are in good to average condition, but we are pleased that they will all be going to new owners who will love them for a little bit longer. Remember, re-use rules!

Our wonderful volunteers also donated something very valuable to us – their time. This month they gave us over 700 hours, which helps us to keep our doors open for everyone. This superb volunteer team look after Storeroom from as little as half a day up to several days each a week. We keep them going with tea, coffee, biscuits and sometimes even cake – there’s never enough cake though! Team Storeroom are cheerful, helpful and generally keep everything running very smoothly here. If you wish to join team Storeroom, why not talk to Kerri our volunteer coordinator? You can call her on 01983 298679.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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December 2018

Christmas is over now and we do hope you all enjoyed the festive season. Thank you for your support in 2018, please continue to think of Storeroom when you need something for your home and make sure your family and friends know about us too.

Storeroom Furniture Re-use Charity will continue to provide our island community with the best service we can and we look forwards to this year unfolding; we want it to be another great one for all of us!

As usual our fantastic team of volunteers helped to keep everything running smoothly and they gave us over 600 hours of their time this month. Really amazing, especially when everyone is so busy in the run up to the festive break. We cannot thank our task force enough, as without them there would be no Storeroom; they are the reason we are able to keep open for everyone on our island.

December was a short month, so we can’t amaze you with how much we have saved from landfill, but we are delighted to say that around 9,300kgs did not get squashed into the ground! So, what does that weight look like? Try to imagine 155 average metal action sofa beds instead!

Don’t forget we have our Community project the Cowes Men’s Shed with FREE membership to all aged 18+. More information on their Facebook page, Men in Sheds Cowes and of course there is a page on our website too.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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November 2018

In the run up to Christmas and with all the usual expenses, if you need houseware for a gift, we always have a great selection here at Storeroom at very affordable prices. Storeroom is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm, pop why not pop in and bag a bargain?

During November our volunteers gave us over 800 hours of their own time and without our volunteers we would not be here serving the island community. They provide such a valuable task force for Storeroom and help with all aspects needed to keep the charity up and running.

Thank you again for all your lovely donations of furniture and household goods and if you were able to gift aid those donations to us, that was very helpful too – we love it when the taxman has to help us out! While we’re thanking everyone, we’ve not forgotten our customers! You too are part of our success and we hope you enjoy your visits here and have found a bargain or two.

Your purchases in November (over 1,300 items!) saved nearly 12,000kgs from being thrown into our island landfill. And what does that weight look like – around the same as 939 average nests of tables. Imagine all that squashed in the ground in OUR island tip. Madness.

Please note that Storeroom will be closed from Sunday 23^rd December and re-opens on Tuesday 8^th January at 10am, so we will be unable to collect or deliver during that period.

We hope you all enjoy the festive season and we look forwards to another successful year working with and for you all in 2019.

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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October 2018

GREAT NEWS!! We have NOW been open for 100 months!!

It was all go during October, the staff and volunteers have been working hard even with the temperature dropping, so if you visit us – don’t forget to WRAP UP WARM!.

Our kind-hearted volunteer team worked 825 hours during October to keep Storeroom open for our referred clients and all you bargain hunters out there! We really could not manage without them; so, if you have a half day or full day during the week to spare, get in touch and join Team Storeroom! Call Kerri on 298679.

Our customers are still enjoying the wide choice of items at our shop and warehouse premises in Cowes. We advertise quite a few things on Wightbay too – over 90 of them at the moment, so if you want to browse online you can. Unfortunately, you do need to visit us to purchase and pay.

When you make a purchase at Storeroom, not only does your money help to keep the charity sustainable, but it is also good for our environment as that means unwanted items have not ended up at our island landfill. In October we together saved over 1,400 items from going to the tip. All those items weighed in at nearly 14,600kgs, which is equal to 248 average lounge display units.

Sometimes we are asked why, if we are given items for nothing, we cannot just give them away? Well, here are just a few of the reasons; rent on our premises, second hand van purchase, van insurance, maintenance and fuel, general insurance, maintenance of premises, the utility bills, a handful of paid staff and not forgetting an army of volunteers who need to be kept full of tea or coffee (and cake if there is any going) in order to operate! LOL.

We have also recently started a Cowes Men’s Shed project, complete with a fully equipped workshop for anyone interested in carpentry and hobbying. Polytunnels and raised beds for those with horticultural interests, and best of all it’s totally free to join. We wish we could do more for our local community, but be assured every spare penny is used to provide opportunities to our Island residents, whether they be retired unemployed, disabled, lonely or just fed up. Team Storeroom “making a difference”

We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. Don’t forget there is free parking right outside our front door and the Cowes Park and Ride bus stop is just 100 yards along road.

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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September 2018

Don’t forget, if you have bought something from Storeroom to upcycle and have before and after photos, we would love to share them on our Facebook page. Please email your photos to nicksstoreroom@yahoo.co.uk

Storeroom would not be operating without the invaluable help and support of our hard working volunteer team, who gave us over 750 hours of their time and expertise in September. They help with so many different tasks to keep Storeroom up and running for the benefit of everyone in our local community.

During September we were able to re-use almost 1,700 items which totalled over 13,150kgs or imagine that weight instead as similar to 351 average fireplace surrounds. Together we save many bulky items of furniture from maybe ending up in our island landfill and it means those that cannot afford the luxury of buying new items have the chance to affordably make their living space into a more comfortable home.

Storeroom was involved in another ISLE OF WIGHT DAY! Weather wasn’t up to much so our bunting went up inside ? We like to be different !

The Cowes Men’s Shed is going strong and we welcome new members regularly. We do have a survey running, why not take the opportunity to complete it (you don’t have to be a Shed member) as it closes soon. Please go to: – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PP6L3B6

Finally the Shed has a Bacon Butty event on Monday 15^th October between 11am & 1 pm if you want to pop in to see what goes on in amongst the sawdust, now’s your chance. . . .

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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August 2018

Well, we hope you enjoyed a bit of summer during the school holidays. This August we were delighted to receive many useful donations of furniture and household items. Even during a traditionally quiet month, when people are enjoying a break from their usual routine, Storeroom was kept busy!

Our kind hearted volunteer team worked over 750 hours during August to keep Storeroom open for our referred clients and all you bargain hunters out there! We are always amazed at how committed our volunteers are. If you would like to join Team Storeroom, please give our volunteer manager, Kerri, a call on 01983 298679.

We have over 50 support agencies across the island referring people in need to Storeroom and these customers benefit from a discount on items from our warehouse stock.

Our super and very loyal customers purchased around 1,550 items which amounts to nearly 15,000kgs in tonnage. By everyone trying to re-use items rather than just throwing them away, it hopefully saves our tip from being filled up quite so quickly. So as you can better imagine that weight, it is equivalent to 149 average corner sofas being squashed into the ground!

If you’ve not yet been to visit Storeroom for a browse why not pop over to see us soon? We have a surprising variety of items in stock and not many people look around and leave without something! Even if they didn’t think they needed it in the first place! Where else could you find a second-hand canteen of cutlery, a sofa, an iron, a bedside cabinet, a coffee table, a duvet, a microwave, a kettle, some towels, a wardrobe and a lounge unit . . . the list goes on!

The Cowes Men’s Shed is open Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm and membership is FREE! Why not pop along and take a look to see if the shed is for you? It has a well-equipped carpentry workshop and outside there raised beds and polytunnels for keen gardeners. If you no longer have a shed or outside space this community project might suit you! Enjoy your hobbies in the company of others – converse, create and connect!

Find the shed at 25,26 Somerton Industrial Park, Cowes, PO31 8PD. Call our ‘head shed’ Adam for more information, he is available during the shed opening hours on 01983 209734. Don’t fancy coming along on your own? Bring a friend too. Everyone aged over 18 welcome.

Cowes Men’s Shed now has its own Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Men-in-Sheds-Cowes-16205552813938…/ Please like their page and share to your friends.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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July 2018

On 1^st July we reached our 8^th birthday. Whoooooop! Another year older. We didn’t celebrate though, we were all too busy.

A big thank you to all the kind people who donated furniture and household goods to Storeroom this month. Also, a huge thank you to our fabulous volunteer team for their time, 800 hours in just this one month. You have ALL helped to keep this island charity open to all our in community!

Well, how did we all do in July? Over 13,000kgs of furniture and other household items, about the same weight as 245 average sofas, did not go to the tip as they were re-used (re-use rules!).

Buying secondhand helps with your budget and makes your money go further. Why pay over £500 for a new sofa or £1000 for a suite if you have pets or family? Unfortunately, that ‘newness’ just doesn’t last long enough. Storeroom always has around 50 sofas/suites to choose from for around £100 – £120.

Storeroom is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. You may be surprised at just what is available here; we often are, and never know quite what may be donated next!

Cowes Men’s Shed had a Bacon Butty and BLT day in July; thanks to everyone who came along. They had lots of visitors, some new members, plenty of bacon munched, tea slurped and much laughter . The shed also had their polytunnels blessed by our local Reverend Andrew Poppe – he thought that had been a first in his career!

If you would like to take advantage of the Cowes Men’s Shed’s fully equipped carpentry workshop and horticulture areas, or just enjoy the company of others, please call our ‘head shed’ Adam on 01983 209734 for more information. Remember, its FREE membership at the Cowes Men’s Shed!!!

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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June 2018

Once again we wish to thank you all for your continued support of Storeroom, an island charity dedicated to island people. Furniture and household goods donated to us were all put to good use and many customers have been pleased to be able to purchase affordable items from Storeroom; with people in greatest need benefitting from many reductions to the already low prices. In June over 1,400 items went to new homes which meant that a total in excess of 15,200kgs did not go into our island landfill. Not sure about that weight? Think of 285 average sofas instead!

Our volunteer task force gave us well over 700 hours of their time to make it all happen here and without them there would be no Storeroom. They help with so many different tasks to keep Storeroom up and running for everyone in our local community. We are so lucky to have such a great group of people to help us and they are all really appreciated.

Did you think you would only ever buy new things for your home? If you’ve been to Storeroom already, you may well have found that pre-loved is not a bad idea, especially so if you’re not sure exactly what you want, or how it would work/fit in your home. Many people visit us not intending to make a purchase – and then they do! Other people visit looking for a desk and leave with a lawnmower (yes – it really happens!).

Our latest community venture, Cowes Men’s Shed is going well and already has quite a few members and even daily regulars joining in with whatever is going on or working on their own projects. Not sure about this idea? Well, why not just have a visit, chat with our ‘head shed’ Adam and then make your mind up? Or you can give Adam a call on 01983 209734, he is there Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm. It is free to join ?

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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May 2018

Once again, our local community has supported each other by donating the items they no longer needed. Storeroom’s volunteer group has helped keep everything together by assisting in our shop, warehouse, on the vans and in the office. These wonderful people gave almost 700 hours of their time and we couldn’t manage without them all.

Storeroom has a NEW brochure, check out the link from the home page of this site, or our Facebook /Twitter pages if you want to have a quick look. You can always pop in to Storeroom to grab one too, that’s a bit more ‘dangerous’ though as there is a good chance you will see something that you just have to buy, even though you didn’t know you wanted/needed it five minutes before! People often come in to buy something specific and leave with something else they fall in love with J

Our super and very loyal customers purchased over 1,300 items which amounts to over 14,000kgs in tonnage. By everyone trying to re-use items rather than just throwing them away, it hopefully saves our tip from being filled up quite so quickly. So you can imagine that weight more easily, it is equivalent to around 457 average chests of drawers; so much better being re-used rather than being squashed into the ground!

The new Cowes Men’s Shed opened this month. Why not come along and see what’s happening? Fix something, build something, invent something, share your skills with like minded men with an interest in drinking tea! The shed is ready to welcome you Monday to Friday between 10am – 3pm, 50 weeks of the year at 25,26 Somerton Industrial Park, off Newport Road, Cowes, PO31 8PA. Parking is free at the Cowes Park and Ride bus stop, which is just two minutes walk along the road. Everyone 18+ welcome. FREE membership when you enrol, but please contribute £1 a day towards refreshments.

Cowes Men’s Shed now has its own Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Men-in-Sheds-Cowes-16205552813938…/ Please like their page and share to your friends.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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April 2018

Storeroom had another busy month with a wonderful variety of items donated. Thank you to everyone who chose to help reuse unwanted furniture and household items rather than taking them to the tip.

Our kind hearted volunteer team worked nearly 550 hours during April to keep Storeroom open for the general public, our referred clients and all you bargain hunters out there! We really could not manage without our volunteers; so if you have a half day or full day during the week to spare, get in touch on 01983 298679 and join our team!

As ever, purchases made at Storeroom mean that, not only does your money help to keep the charity sustainable, but it is also good for our environment as that means unwanted items have not ended up at our island landfill. Your purchases this month saved over 13,000 kgs from being thrown away. To imagine that weight, try to think of 208 average dining sets, like this one, instead.

Don’t forget, Storeroom is one of the best places on the island for a wide and affordable selection of pre-loved furniture and household goods, so come and see us soon! FREE parking right outside.

Coming soon! Cowes Men’s Shed opens on Monday 14 May. Check out our Facebook page for more information as it becomes available.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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March 2018

Despite the Easter bank holiday weekend, new stores opening and the snowy weather, numerous people still came to see us at Storeroom and most made a purchase or two. Many of you also donated items to us; so, thank you all very much for helping to keep this valuable service available for our island community.

We now have both our vans sign written and you may have spotted them while they have been out and about on the island.

As always, our volunteers were busy helping the customers, keeping everything clean, neat and tidy in the shop and warehouse; some volunteers were out on the vans with our drivers, helping with the collection and delivery of various items. They kindly gave us nearly 500 hours of their time during the month and we really could not manage without them. Thank you all!

All purchases made at Storeroom mean that unwanted but reusable items have not ended up in our island landfill. In March over 15,000kgs was saved from being squashed into a hole in the ground. What does that weight look like? Well imagine 437 average small sideboards instead!

Storeroom Education are providing a Health and Safety in Construction course for those of you aiming for your CSCS card. The next one day course is scheduled for Friday 27 April, so to book and pay for your place contact Storeroom Education on 01983 209734 or email contact@storeroomeducation.co.uk They regularly run First Aid courses too, contact them for further information.

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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February 2018

Thank you ever so much for your kind custom this month and for all your brilliant donations of furniture and household items. You have helped to keep this island charity open to everyone.

The volunteers, as ever, have been wonderful. Even in this cold weather they have still come in to us and have helped out with all sorts of tasks, including ones they don’t always enjoy, just to get it all done. Their invaluable donation to Storeroom was over 500 hours of their time during February. They really are awesome!

NEW course coming soon at Storeroom Education. Are you looking for a job in Catering and want to improve your prospects? Storeroom Education are offering an NOCN accredited Level 2 Food Safety in Catering qualification (12th March). Course costs, £25 unemployed or £35 if you are employed. Certificates to follow after being verified and processed by NOCN, the awarding body. For more information, please follow this link http://www.wightbay.com/cowes/classes-tuition/level-2-food-safety-in-catering-12th-5557960/

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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January 2018

We hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year breaks and got back into the swing of things this month.

Your lovely donations of furniture and household items meant that we managed to save very nearly 13,000kgs of furniture from going to island landfill or try to imagine instead 227 average large sofas squashed into the ground . . . a very bad thing indeed.

We wouldn’t be able to succeed every month if it wasn’t for our fabulous volunteers. They generously gave us nearly 400 hours of their time. We are so lucky to have such a great group of people to help us and they are all really appreciated. Can you spare some free time to help out? If so, please contact the Volunteer Manager Kerri on 01983 298679.

Don’t forget, Storeroom is one of the best places on the island for a wide and affordable selection of pre-loved furniture and household goods, so do come and see us soon! We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. There’s free parking outside too or the Cowes Park and Ride Bust Stop just a couple of minutes walk along the road.

We still have our Customer Experience Survey tablet which is placed by the till. Just three screens and the last one gives you the opportunity to enter a prize draw for £50. Why not take a look on your next visit?

Thank you so much for your continued support and let’s do it all again next month!

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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December 2017

Once again, our island community has given Storeroom the support needed to keep our doors open for everyone. Donated items have kept on coming and so have the customers! In December, 90 households donated a fantastic assortment of items to Storeroom which enabled many island families to make affordable purchases from our huge stock.

It was a short month this month, so we can’t amaze you with how much we have saved from landfill, but we are delighted to say that over 11,000kgs did not get squashed into the ground! And what does that weight look like? Try to imagine 879 average nests of tables instead!

Without our fantastic volunteers we would not be able to open our doors. They gave us more than 350 hours of their time this month and did a great job. All our volunteers are greatly appreciated and if you feel you might like to join our team, please call our volunteer manager Kerri on 01983 298679.

Next time you visit Storeroom, whether you buy something or not, please push a button or two on our Customer Experience Survey tablet which is placed by the till. Just three screens and the last one gives you the opportunity to enter a prize draw for £50.

Don’t forget to check out Storeroom Education if you want to participate in low cost activities, or if you are unemployed and interested in any of their FREE accredited courses; their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/StoreroomEducation

Thank you so much for your continued support and Happy New Year to you all!

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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November 2017

Thank you everyone who supported us on the first ever #BuyNothingNew day on 24 November – the ethical alternative to Black Friday. #BuyNothingNew day is a national event led by the Furniture Re-use Network (we are members) and hopefully it will grow year on year. Lots of great tags, such as Let Second Hand Be Your First Choice, Good For Your Pocket – Good for the Planet, or Why Shop New, When You Can Shop Reused?! We held a flash sofa & armchair sale on the day, offering 50% off!

The weather has finally changed into something more appropriate for the time of year, so if you want to make your home a little cosier we have various back up heating options, loads of cushions, table lamps, bedding and curtains too.

Team Storeroom, our wonderful group of volunteers have been busy helping us to keep Storeroom open to everyone in our community. Never an easy task as no parent charity watching over us, we succeed or fail through our own efforts and really do rely on Community support – thank you for providing that for your island neighbours.

This month our volunteers kindly gave us over 450 hours of their own time. They help with just about everything; on the vans, in the warehouse and the shop; and not just lifting and carrying, but helping customers to select their purchases. Volunteers help to keep everything clean and tidy and serve customers too. If you have some spare time and would be interested in helping please contact our volunteer manager Kerri on 01983 298679.

So, onto the green stuff! This month we have saved over 13,400kgs from going to landfill – well done! That is a huge amount of furniture which would have otherwise ended up squashed into the ground. Its very difficult to imagine that weight so think of 510 bookcases maybe?

Storeroom and Storeroom Education both close for two weeks over Christmas and New Year, but in the meantime Education still have plenty of free activities which you can take part in. Further details of the Christmas Closure will be posted on our Facebook pages, Twitter and this website. Please go to: –

https://www.facebook.com/Storeroom2010

https://twitter.com/Storeroom2010

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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October 2017

Well done everyone! Together we have saved nearly 16,600kgs of furniture and household goods from our island landfill this month. That’s an approximate weight equivalent of 482 average small sideboards! Whew! Your donations keep a great variety of stock at Storeroom and people in need often find exactly what they want at a price they can afford. Sadly, we do have to charge people for their purchases, as funding for this dried up many years ago and nearly caused Storeroom to close.

Other customers at Storeroom are keen up-cyclers, those looking for a specific style of furniture for their home that can’t be purchased in the usual stores and people who just can’t resist a bargain. Remember to be quick though, if you see something you love and think you will come back next week for it, there’s a good chance someone else will have thought the same and it will be gone!

Our volunteers have been busy helping with just about everything and have given us over 400 hours of their time. Without them Storeroom would not be able to operate as it does now, serving the IOW community five days a week. Those of you with long memories will remember Storeroom visitors were by appointment only! If you would like to join our award winning volunteer team, have a chat with our Volunteer Manager Kerri on 01983 298679. Many different ways you can help and a regular day or even half day a week would be great.

Don’t forget about Storeroom Education, plenty of free activities and low cost or certificate cost only accredited courses for local unemployed people aged 18+. Call Education on 01983 209734 or check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StoreroomEducation

Thank you again everyone for helping others in our community. Brace yourselves, as you know what is coming soon . . . . LOL

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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September 2017

Thank you everyone for your continued support. This month went by in a flash! The weather changed too and we noticed lots of customers coming in to buy small heaters. Useful for a bit of top up warmth if you don’t want to turn your heating on just yet.

We now have some free car rear window stickers – if you love Storeroom, please ask for one in our shop and spread the word about our Charity. There are still many people on the Island who have not heard of us and who have not been able to bag a bargain at Storeroom.

The M&S Energy fund is open for your VOTE for Storeroom until 20^th October. Please go to https://www.mandsenergyfund.com/projects/storeroom2010 and help us to win money from M&S towards Solar Panels for our roof. If we achieve this it’s a big help with energy bills and monies saved there would go to Storeroom Education to provide even more free or low cost training for local unemployed people aged 18+.

So, onto the ‘green’ stuff! How have we done? Well our fantastic Team Storeroom volunteers gave us over 450 hours of their time which helps enormously to keep everything running smoothly here. There’s a lot more work to do than most people realise. What has been saved from our Island landfill in September? Well, more than 15,000kgs worth of furniture and household goods, which is about the same as 282 average large sofas! This really helps our environment.

Thank you to all the households who made kind donations to help people in need in our community. You are making a difference.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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August 2017

We hope you have enjoyed August, we know many people do take the opportunity to go on holiday or take a staycation. We have been here as usual and been helping as many people as we can with accepting their kind donations and assisting with their purchases. More than 200 homes thoughtfully donated furniture to Storeroom this month enabling over 500 families to able to take advantage of affordable household goods that they really needed, but could not afford to buy new.

This month we have together saved over 18,000kgs from making that trip to the tip! That’s the weight equivalent of 527 Chaise Longue! Its so much better for our environment when furniture and other household goods can be re-used rather than just thrown away. If you get the urge to try some upcycling at no cost to you, contact Storeroom Education as they have courses every Thursday 10am-3pm, call 01983 209734 or email contact@storeroomeducation.co.uk If you are already a keen upcycler and don’t need any help, please pop in and check out our stock as there are many items here that could be enhanced or re-purposed and would then be unique to you!

Our volunteers, Team Storeroom, have been keeping busy, helping us in so many ways to keep Storeroom open for our Isle of Wight Community. This month they gave us more than 500 hours of their own time and we are very pleased and proud to say they have together received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (the MBE for Voluntary groups) in recognition of their service. This was presented to them by the IOW Lord Lieutenant on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen at a small ceremony this month.

If you have any training requirements for your business, please contact Storeroom Education to discuss how they can help you. Popular accredited courses are currently available in First Aid, Health and Safety, Manual Handling plus many more. Bespoke courses upon request. Please call Storeroom Education on 01983 209734.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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July 2017

Thank you everyone! Together we have saved nearly 17,400kgs of furniture and household goods from our island landfill. What a great job we have all done. You can’t imagine that weight – ok – think of 315 average double wardrobes instead! What a wicked waste it would be to squash all that into the ground. This month over 200 households donated a fantastic assortment of items to Storeroom which enabled many island families to make affordable purchases, not getting themselves caught up in loans or weekly payments that can be so draining on finances when money is tight. The upcyclers still visit us too and purchase some of our older, interesting items that they then work their magic on and turn into something looking quite different and of course, unique.

We also cannot thank our volunteers enough. Team Storeroom gave up getting on for 450 hours of their own time in order to keep Storeroom open to everyone. We are pleased to say that already this year, four of our volunteers have moved onto paid work. Congratulations!

Storeroom Education have commenced yet another new FREE activity. This one is Horticulture and its just for fun. All equipment is provided, just bring yourself and see how green your fingers are! Horticulture is every Tuesday, 10am to 3pm. Everyone over 18 welcome to join and remember it’s absolutely free. For more information contact Storeroom Education by calling 01983 209734 or email contact@storeroomeducation.co.uk

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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June 2017

We have all done very well again this month! Thank you to the 225 homes that donated furniture and other household goods to this charity. As ever everything has been really useful and it means that customers can choose from a great variety of items and not just one or two of everything. Most people on their first visit to Storeroom can’t believe how big our warehouse is and when we tell them we have an upstairs too they are amazed. Having a choice is so important and having affordable choices even better for the general public. Our referred customers can also benefit from further discounts on many basic items too; what other charity on the Island offers this?

Now, how did we do with all the ‘green stuff’ this month? Well, we saved nearly 15,400kgs from going to landfill which is an achievement in itself. What does that weight look like? Try to imagine 1,208 nests of tables instead!!! Re-use is so much better for our environment and of course saves us money from our increasingly tight budgets.

Our volunteers, Team Storeroom, are here to help! They cheerfully give up some of their free time every month to make sure Storeroom’s doors are open to everyone on our island. Without these kind people Storeroom could not offer the service it currently does and certainly would struggle to be here at all. Our volunteers help with just about everything and come from all walks of life and all sorts of ages too. Just about everyone fits in here. Fancy joining Storeoom? Give our volunteer manager Kerri a call on 298679.

Latest news from Storeroom Education is about their new Upcycling & Restoration Project. Please just drop in for supported sessions to include basic carpentry, painting and paint effects as well as soft furnishings, Every Thursday, 10am to 3pm. No cost – completed projects will be sold to provide ongoing sessions for Storeroom Education. Everyone over 18 welcome to join and remember it’s absolutely free For more information contact Storeroom Education by calling 01983 209734 or email contact@storeroomeducation.co.uk

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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May 2017

Thank you everyone for your donations and purchases this month. In May around 200 homes donated furniture and other household goods to Storeroom. And what a great variety of items we received! We are so very well stocked that our bargain seeking customers will be really spoilt for choice. As ever, everything at Storeroom is affordably priced and all monies received go towards keeping this charity open to all and of course to help Storeroom Education with their projects for local unemployed people.

Team Storeroom do a marvelous job (see the news on their very special award, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for volunteer groups!). This month they cheerfully gave us over 550 hours of their time which meant we can be here for our community, as without the volunteers help, Storeroom would not exist. They really are the glue that holds us together.

So, what have we saved from landfill this month? Well, nearly 16,300kgs of stuff that’s what! So much better for our pockets and for our environment too. Hard to imagine that weight in furniture? Of course it is, so think of 329 average small sofas instead!

Don’t forget about Storeroom Education. They are offering many free accredited courses to local unemployed people over 18 and low cost fun activities too. Contact them for more information on 01983 209734 or see their Facebook page. A qualification may help you in your search for paid work.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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April 2017

Well done to you all. Whoever you are and wherever you are on the Isle of Wight, your support has helped to keep Storeroom open to everyone!. Thank you so much for your help. In April around 182 homes donated furniture and household goods to Storeroom. We don’t need items to be perfect, just clean, tidy and ready for immediate re-use as unfortunately we don’t have the facilities for cleaning or repairs. What you can be sure of though, is that your unwanted item will be perfect for someone! Maybe a person on low income found something affordable that they needed, or a keen up-cycler has bought something ordinary with grand plans to turn it into something extraordinary!

Storerooms Volunteers, Team Storeroom, have been on fine form this month and have kept everything shipshape here. They help our customers, they lift, carry, tidy, polish, wash up, make a cuppa and even weed the flowerbed outside. Last month they donated over 550 hours of their time to us. Invaluable, appreciated and very, very kind of them all. Storeroom could not open its doors to the whole Isle of Wight community without the help of our volunteers.

Now, for the ‘green stuff’, this month we have together saved 14,300kgs from being sent to landfill. Or to make that easier to imagine, 289 average small sofas! That is so much healthier for our environment than pushing all those unwanted, but still re-usable items into the ground.

Do get in touch with Storeroom Education on 209734 if you are unemployed, over 18 years of age and would like to take part in some free accredited learning. Perhaps you might be thinking about learning a new trade: if so, check out their Mulitskills classes. They also have low cost enjoyable, useful and fun activities for anyone 18+ too!

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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March 2017

Thank you everyone for your continued support! Nearly 250 homes donated their unwanted but reusable furniture and household goods to Storeroom this month. How amazing is that? This kindness enables people less fortunate to be able to choose affordable items for their homes and keeps Storeroom open to all who need this service and almost 1400 people took advantage of a bargain. We do have a few upcyclers visit us too, they love to purchase something ordinary and turn it into a special item for their home. If you are an avid upcycler who has made a purchase from Storeroom, do send us your before and after photos and we can use them to inspire other people. Send your photos to nicksstoreroom@yahoo.co.uk

Our heartfelt thanks go to our volunteer team who always make sure Storeroom comes first. They gave us nearly 800 hours of their time this month to keep Storeroom’s doors open to everyone. They help out with all sorts of tasks to keep everything running smoothly and our volunteers can be found in our shop or warehouse and on our vans.

What was saved from our island’s landfill this month? Nearly 16,400kgs of stuff – or to make that easier, you could try to imagine think of 624 average bookcases instead! Thank you all again for enabling us to facilitate all these items being reused.

Storeroom Education is running more accredited courses and activities than ever; so do contact them if you are unemployed or on low income and you may find you can take a FREE course or a very low priced one (usually material costs only). Call them Monday to Friday between 10am-3pm, or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StoreroomEducation Spaces are limited, so don’t delay!

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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February 2017

Many thanks to over 200 people who have donated furniture to Storeroom charity this month. Together we are making a difference to our island community. Furniture which is re-used and saved from landfill is so helpful for people on a tight budget, good for our environment and all monies made from the sales keep Storeroom’s doors open to everyone and helps to support Storeroom Education too. No monies leave the Isle of Wight. Also our thanks go out to all our customers (more than 400!) who purchased from Storeroom. Very few of them are up-cyclers; mostly our customers really do need the option to purchase affordable items, although some are eagle eyed bargain hunters!

And how much exactly have we saved from that trip to the tip this month? Nearly 13,000kgs or to make it a little easier to imagine, 221 lounge units! What a waste it would be to squash all that into the ground of our lovely island.

None of this would happen without the help of our wonderful volunteer group who make up most of Team Storeroom. We really would not be here for you without their help. This month they gave us over 550 hours of their time, which is vital for the charity to function. Many of our volunteers enjoy the company they have here and many just like to help other people in any way they can. Some of our volunteers even have full time work and still help out here on one of their days off. All our volunteers are greatly appreciated and if you feel you might like to join our team, please call our volunteer manager Kerri on 298679. Thank you.

Our thanks to those of you who have played a part in

our growing success story

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January 2017

What a great team of supporters we have across the Isle of Wight; from the kind people who donate their unwanted but reusable furniture and household goods, to the customers who bag a bargain in our shop or warehouse and never forgetting our great band of volunteers ‘Team Storeroom’ without whom Storeroom would not exist at all. Nearly 200 households donated items to Storeroom and over 350 customers were able to take advantage of a bargain. Income helps to keep Storeroom open for everyone on the Isle of Wight and benefits our Education department too.

What do our volunteers do? They help with deliveries and collections, move stock around and about our warehouse, serve customers and keep everything clean and tidy. Whew! All accomplished with a smile on their faces and the minimum of fuss. We ply them with tea, coffee, squash and biscuits to keep them going – and in January keep going they did – for more than 550 hours!

This month we have saved nearly 11,500kgs from being dumped into landfill on our lovely island; its so good to re-use rather than throw away and if we can’t accept an item from a customer we always try to offer them advice if we can. So, what does 11,500kgs look like? Well about the same as 305 desks!

Storeroom Education have many new activities and new courses too this year, some are about to commence this month thanks to funders from on and off the Isle of Wight. Contact them on 209734 for further information on their free courses for local unemployed people. Some courses are accredited and would be a great addition to a CV.

2016 was a super year for Storeroom! We were able to borrow monies from SASC which helped us to purchase our main premises and secure the charity’s future for the Isle of Wight community, the Chamber of Commerce helped us achieve a Quality in Business Certificate of Accreditation, we secured funding towards the deposit on purchasing our premises, also funding for Storeroom Education which will see them able to run many free courses for local unemployed people over the next nine months and finally, to end last year with a bang, we were winners of the Business in the Community Award from the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Awards for Excellence 2016. None of this could have been achieved without the total commitment of all volunteers, staff and trustees.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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December 2016

Thank you to all our customers and the kind people donating items they no longer need, but which are perfectly fit for re-use. Once again we have together saved so much from our Island landfill and provided people on low income with a great choice of very affordable furniture and other household goods. Not forgetting our regular visitors, the upcyclers too; they love a Storeroom bargain to work their magic on!

This month we saved over 11,000kgs from our landfill, which is equal to around 823 average bedside units. That’s something we can all be very proud of. Something else we are very proud of is our great Volunteer Team! This month they gave Storeroom 560 hours of their time and enabled us to provide the service that you need. They do all sorts and without them, this charity would not be able to open its doors to everyone. If you fancy joining our team, please contact our Volunteer Manager Kerri.

And finally, we are pleased to announce our recent win of the Business in the Community Award, by the IW Chamber of Commerce, Business Awards for Excellence 2016. Being recognised as a valued part of the Isle of Wight community is important to us and a great moral booster for the whole team!

We hope you have all enjoyed the festive season and that 2017 goes well for you and yours.

Thank you again for your support.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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November 2016

Well done! Yes to all of us! Our supporters from 208 island homes donated their unwanted but re-usable furniture and household items to Storeroom and 455 customers found things they needed to make their home more comfortable in November. This meant that we saved nearly 14,500kgs from that trip to the tip, which would be the same weight as 289 small sofas if you find that easier to imagine.

We hope you found a bargain during the madness that is Black Friday, or Black Friday week as it has expanded into. Remember though, that much of our stock is always a bargain, with only a small percentage being high value. If you are in need you can ask your supporting agency for a referral and benefit from further discounts on Storeroom’s already very reasonable prices.

Have you ever thought about volunteering? Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Some are unemployed and looking for work, others work full or part time and just like to make a difference in our community. Last month they gave us over 700 hours of their time. They are our stars!

Storeroom Education will be getting off to a good start in 2017 as they received funding from four different charitable trusts this month, Swire Charitable Trust, Wight Aid, Isle Wight Foundation and the Diocese of Portsmouth. There will be lots of free courses for local unemployed people, so watch out for new information on our social media and this website. Education will be launching their new website in the New Year.

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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October 2016

Many thanks to all our supporters this month. We visited 211 homes to collect your kind donations and saw 461 customers who made purchases, large and small for their homes. All this super re-use activity meant that over 15,500kgs of perfectly re-usable furniture and household items did not go to our island landfill. What does that weight look like? Well, about the same as 280 double wardrobes – phew! It would be quite mad to push that into the ground every month.

We have been busy bringing our building up to scratch and a recent job was to clean the skylights, so a lot more natural light now gets in. Just a reminder, but now it’s getting colder do make sure you have something warm on when you visit Storeroom as we cannot afford to heat the whole premises.

Do you have any regular free time when you could volunteer at Storeroom? Last month our team gave us nearly 600 hours of their time and we could not manage without them. Some people just come in for an hour or two once a week, some come in for a few days. They enjoy the company, the buzz you get from helping people and often make new friends too. In return we can only offer you tea, coffee and our sincere gratitude, with the occasional cake though!

Storeroom Education have just commenced a new Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery Course along with the Health & Safety for those seeking to apply for or re-new their CSCS card and not forgetting the Emergency First Aid at Work courses. If you are local and unemployed these courses are often free or low cost. If you are an employer we can offer one of 400 plus NOCN courses for you or bespoke courses to suit your business. Please contact Education on 209734.

Our thanks to those of you

who have played a part in our growing success story

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September 2016

Thank you to everyone who has donated their unwanted but re-usable furniture and household goods to Storeroom this month. Also a big thank you to our customers and those who also visited us and Storeroom Education for our open days on 22 September. It was a great opportunity for you all to find out a little bit more about us and ask any questions.

Well, together we have saved over 15,000kgs from that trip to the tip – and that would amount to 832 average rocking chairs! 212 homes donated items to the charity and 467 families were able to take advantage of this and could affordably purchase items they very much needed. Only a few of our customers are up-cyclers, but if you are and you have made something new and wonderful from one of your Storeroom purchases, we would love to see your before and after photos – they may inspire someone else. Thank you!

Our works inside Storeroom have now ended and the dust is back under control – not sure who might be most pleased about this, you the customers, or our staff and volunteers who were virtually living with dusters in their hands! We finally have a proper break room in the building to go to for our lunch or tea-break. Outside has recently become a lot less appealing with the change in the weather.

This month our volunteers generously gave us over 700 hours of their time; without them our doors would not be open to the general public. Thank you Team Storeroom! They are all fueled by tea, coffee, fruit squash and the occasional cake – baked by one of our longest serving volunteers and always very much enjoyed by everyone.

Storeroom Education are still running free or low cost courses for unemployed people between 18-65, their new price list is on this website’s Training Opportunities page. Education also offer professional courses for those who are looking for a career change; please give them a call on 01983 209734 for more information.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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August 2016

Your support was greatly appreciated during this month, always a strange one for us as so many people are away on their holidays, or enjoying staycations at home (which was ok weatherwise this year!). We even had customers brave the traffic during Cowes Week, which is often very quiet here at Storeroom.

So, how did we all do? Well thanks to you, our customers, nearly 13,500kgs of furniture and household goods went to new homes rather than our island landfill. It makes a difference to our environment and helps other people too, those who cannot afford to purchase new and struggle to make ends meet. Sadly with the austerity measures, more and more people need a helping hand. This August we collected re-usable items from 206 homes and 358 families benefitted from being able to purchase affordable secondhand furniture and household goods for their homes.

We have been carrying out various works in Storeroom to at last give our volunteers somewhere inside the building to take a tea or lunch break. Sorry for all the noise – and not forgetting the extra dust, which has got absolutely everywhere. This all should come to an end by the middle of September; thank you for bearing with us through this period of disruption. As usual, we have done as much of the works as possible ourselves.

Team Storeroom, our loyal band of volunteers have given us 735 hours of their time this month doing all the usual things! This involves looking after customers, helping our drivers with deliveries and collections and of course, keeping the premises clean and tidy. If you fancy giving something back to your community, why not join our team, even a regular half day is a great help. You can find out more about our volunteering opportunities at Do-It.org https://do-it.org/oppo…/ed1f97c6-4a54-483f-bbb0-d0bec2ca065c

Don’t forget to get in touch with Storeroom Education if you are unemployed and interested in any of their free or low cost NOCN accredited training courses, call 01983 209734 or email officestoreroom@yahoo.co.uk Please be aware if you are a business owner we can provide a bespoke course for any staff training needs you may have, one of the courses we are currently running is Emergency First Aid at Work for a local company.

Oh yes, and how many sideboards would equal the tonnage we saved from Landfill last month? 267 !

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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July 2016

Thank you everyone for your help in making sure as much furniture is re-used as possible on the Isle of Wight. Together we have saved over 15,900kgs from going to our island landfill. Can’t imagine that weight? Well its about the same as 1,097 coffee tables! Imagine that squashed into our island landfill. Madness!

218 homes kindly donated items to Storeroom and 458 families were able to find 1346 ‘new to them’ items to make their living space more homely, at affordable prices. Thanks to SASC, Power to Change and Garfield Weston, Storeroom2010 now has ownership of the building it occupies. This means we will be able to make a number of significant changes that will benefit our community and the environment as and when funding becomes available.

Our team of volunteers have done a great job and between them have given around 750 hours of their own time to keep Storeroom’s doors open to all. We would not be here without their wonderful help with just about everything that keeps Storeroom ticking over. You’d be surprised at just how much there is to do here on a daily basis.

Another Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery course has commenced at Storeroom Education and they continue to offer the Health & Safety course for those wishing to apply for their CSCS card, at low cost or free to local unemployed people. More taster days are planned in other trades too. Get in touch with Storeroom Education if you are interested, please call 01983 209734 or email officestoreroom@yahoo.co.uk

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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June 2016

A little quieter this month than last, but we all did very well! Thank you to the 191 homes that donated their re-usable, but unwanted items to us. Over 11,000kgs of furniture and household goods did not go to landfill as new homes were found with 424 families. Can’t imagine what that weight in furniture looks like? Think of 188 lounge units instead? Quite a heap and much better being used than squashed into the ground.

As ever, Storeroom gives thanks to our wonderful volunteers, who help us to keep everything going and our doors open to everyone. They ‘muck’ in and do whatever needs doing and gave us nearly 750 hours of their time. If you would like to join Team Storeroom, please give our volunteer manager, Kerri, a call on 298679. Thank you.

New this month at Storeroom Education is their open learning Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery course on the 26th of July for only £200! BARGAIN! The course will include practical and theory sessions, if you wish to complete the Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery qualification. The theory part of the course can be completed in-house or by distant learning. If this is something that would suit you, please call 01983 209734 or email officestoreroom@yahoo.co.uk

Our thanks to those of you

who have played a part in our growing success story

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May 2016

It was great to see so many of you visit our shop this month, over 630 customers who made purchases – also thank you to the 160 plus households who kindly donated furniture and other household items to Storeroom. Your generosity is greatly appreciated, as is the practical help supplied by our Volunteer task force ‘Team Storeroom’ who gave us over 750 hours of their time in May to help make everything happen!

We are always looking for volunteers to help in the shop, on the vans, or in the warehouse, so if you can spare a regular time each week, even if only a half day, please get in touch with our Volunteer Manager Kerri Salter on 298679. Thank you. Our volunteer position information is available at https://do-it.org/organisations/storeroom-2010

Over 1200 re-usable items went to new homes during the month which meant that over 15,100kgs was not sent to our island landfill. What does that weight look like? Try to imagine 301 large sideboards instead? What a wicked waste it would be for so many wonderful items to be wasted.

Currently Storeroom Education is running H&S in construction courses for those seeking their CSCS (new or renew) card, First Aid Courses, Woodcarving and various Microbite Business Sessions – all at low cost. Please contact Storeroom Education for more information or to book 01983 209734. If you or your business can help the Education Project with funding, please contact Nick Miller, Storeroom Manager on 298679.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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April 2016

Thank you everyone for your wonderful support again! We are only here because of your kind donations, your visits to our shop and because of our brilliant volunteers who give their time to keep our doors open to everyone. We visited 177 homes to collect your unwanted but re-usable items and saw over 450 customers at our shop – thank you for visiting and we hope you enjoyed looking around and seeing just what we have on offer, which if you’ve not been here yet you will find is rather a lot! Nearly 1,000 furniture and household items went onto new homes from Storeroom in April, so that’s almost 15,900kgs we’ve all saved from doing that trip to the tip. What does that weight look like? About the same as 444 average dressing tables. Yes, really!

Team Storeroom volunteers did an excellent job for us this month, giving us over 825 hours of their time, which meant we were able to keep everything here clean and tidy (no mean feat!) and keep the collections and deliveries running to schedule. If you would like to join us, whether you can spare a regular half day a week or more, are interested in working in our shop, warehouse or out on the vans, we would love to hear from you. Please call the office on 298679.

Storeroom Education has some new one day trades based courses planned; please see the training page on this website for further information. We are an accredited NOCN Centre no 30000877. Telephone 209734 or email officestoreroom@yahoo.co.uk for further information.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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March 2016

We have enjoyed the support of so many of our island community this month. Over 170 households donated items to Storeroom which enabled people in need to find items at affordable prices, which helped make their living space into a more comfortable home. More than 900 pieces of furniture and other household goods found new owners and this saved over 15,600kgs from our island landfill. If you can’t imagine that weight, think of 282 average wardrobes instead! What a wicked waste it would be to squash all those things into the ground.

Volunteers are the glue that keeps everything at Storeroom together, they are the reason we are open for you all. They help with just about everything to enable this charity to work as efficiently as possible. This month they gave us in excess of 900 hours of their time, cheerfully doing chores such as cleaning and dusting, loading and unloading vehicles, collecting donations and delivering purchases, not forgetting serving customers and answering the phone. Whew!! No wonder they need plenty of tea and coffee. . .

Storeroom Education has offered a new activity, a plumbing ‘taster’ day this month and ran bespoke Manual Handling and Customer Service day courses. Please contact them if you require a bespoke course for your company as they may be able to help you. Storeroom Education is an accredited NOCN centre no. 30000877. Telephone 209734 or email officestoreroom@yahoo.co.uk

Remember, Re-use Rules!

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February 2016

Thank you all for your support this month. We have been very pleased to accept a wide range of very useful re-usable items; this is turn meant that anyone in our community who needed items were able to source them at reasonable prices from Storeroom. The Isle of Wight community are always generous and help so many local charities.

Together we have saved over 1050 items, amounting to in excess of 13,500kgs from that trip to the tip. So many things can be re-used, its just giving them the chance to be found by someone else, someone who thinks they are exactly what they want. Can’t imagine that weight? Try thinking of 255 average large sofas instead!

Our volunteers and staff ensure our premises are clean and tidy, no mean feat with the amount of to-ing and fro-ing going on every single day! Volunteers gave us 675 hours of their time in February and without them we really would not be here for all of you. This superb team look after Storeroom from as little as half a day each up to several days each a week. We keep them going with tea, coffee, biscuits and sometimes even cake – there’s never enough cake though! Team Storeroom are cheerful, helpful and generally keep everything running very smoothly here.

Storeroom Education is still going strong and there is more information about them on the Training page of this website. Pop along to take a look if you fancy learning something new for professional or personal reasons. We have accredited courses or activities just for fun, not forgetting free or low cost courses for local unemployed people. Please direct your enquiries to Storeroom Education on 209734.

Thank you, you have played a part in our growing success story

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January 2016

We hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year breaks and got back into the swing of things this month. We have been quite busy since we re-opened after our fortnight’s holiday and to all our customers who have braved the dreadful weathers to come to see us – thank you very much.

Thanks also go to our great team of volunteers, who incidentally, gave us nearly 700 hours of their time this month. We have been able to help many people who want to purchase reasonably priced pre-loved furniture and other household items. Together we have saved over 1350 items from the tip, which amounts to a little under 13,850 kgs in weight – or to make that easier to imagine 1,033 bedside cabinets! Phew – that would make a heap wouldn’t it?

Where does all our stock come from? Many people across the island who are buying new furniture or downsizing to a smaller home, do think of Storeroom for their kind donations. We also are offered goods from businesses and from people who are selling a holiday home. Some of these things are quite pristine, others are in good to average condition, but we are pleased that they will all be going to new owners who will love them for a little bit longer. A much better idea than squashing them into our island landfill.

Storeroom Education has much to offer with free or very low cost courses for local unemployed people. There are some pay for courses too, which when completed, lead to professional qualifications for those already in work, looking for a career change or spreading their wings a little. Another NOCN Level 1 Carpentry & Joinery in Construction commenced at the end of the month. Coming soon is a free Level 3 Digital Marketing Course (with Full Accreditation) for Isle of Wight residents only. More details soon and please direct your enquiries to Storeroom Education on 298679.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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December 2015

We hope you all enjoyed the festive season and thank you for your support, right up until our two week closure began at 4pm on Saturday 19 December.

Sadly we just ran out of time and delivery/collection slots to keep everyone happy, but we did do our best! Everything will be back to normal now and we are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. Don’t forget there is free parking right outside our front door and the park and ride Cowes bus stop is just 100 yards up the road.

This month we have together saved over 10,500 kgs from going to landfill. Your donations of furniture and other household items which are ready for immediate re-use have stopped all those lovely things being sent to the tip and squashed into the ground, which is a really wicked waste. People in need can choose to purchase from a great variety available at Storeroom at our very affordable prices; often there is almost too much to choose from.

Sometimes we are asked why, if we are given items for nothing, we cannot just give them away? Well, here are just a few of the reasons; rent on our premises, second hand van purchase, insurance, maintenance and fuel, insurance, maintenance of premises, the utility bills, a handful of paid staff and not forgetting an army of volunteers who need to be kept full of tea or coffee (and cake if there is any going) in order to operate! LOL. We wish we could do more for our local community, but be assured every spare penny is used in our Education project, offering free training to local unemployed people.

Our volunteers gave us over 500 hours this month and without them we would not be here for you all. They come in whatever the weather, some for just a few hours a week, some for several days each week. Team Storeroom, a force to be reckoned with!

Why don’t you make a different New Year resolution for 2016 and try to recycle more than ever this year?

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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November 2015

Thank you everyone for your kind donations of furniture and household goods, also thank you to all our customers, who come to see us come wind, rain or shine, mostly wind and rain in the last few weeks . . . We have seen some very unusual donations this month and it never ceases to amaze us at what is found ‘knocking about’ when you are having a tidy round in your home!

So, how did we all do this month with our re-cycling? Well, together we have saved over 12,000kgs from our landfill and that would look like 225 wardrobes if that is easier for you to imagine? What a waste it would be to put that all into landfill, much better to re-use as much as we can.

Storeroom is open for everyone and that is in great part due to our great team of volunteers, without whom we really would not be here. They give up their own time every month and are very much appreciated. Some of them already have paid work, but like to do something for the community too. This month our volunteers gave us around 650 hours and between them helped on the vans with collections and deliveries, moved furniture around in the warehouse, cleaned, tidied and looked after our customers. Whew! All achieved on lots of coffee, tea and the occasional cake!

This month we had a big change around in the main warehouse and we think the new arrangement makes it much easier to look around, in the sofas area especially. We hope when you visited you liked it too? We love to get your feedback so don’t be shy, you can use the contact us form on this website.

Thank you, you have played a part in our growing success story

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October 2015

We got a bit behind this month what with van breakdowns, holidays and staff sickness, so our apologies if you have experienced a delay in us delivering or collecting items. We expect to get back to normal in November.

Thank you for continuing to support Storeroom with your kind donations of unwanted but re-usable furniture and household items. We have had lots of lovely things donated to us this month and many happy customers finding things they can afford to buy rather than getting into debt in order to purchase brand new.

The monies raised from these sales helps to keep Storeroom open for everyone, whether you are a person in need, a keen up-cycler or a bargain hunter. Any surplus monies are ploughed into our Skills Gap Training project which goes from strength to strength, offering free trades based training to local unemployed people. This month we have again received cheques from two new funders to help keep the project going!

Team Storeroom, our volunteers, who are a workforce to be reckoned with, have given us over 700 hours of their time this month. Without them it would be impossible to run an operation of this size for everyone on our island to be able to use. They keep the premises clean and tidy, help with deliveries and collections and even make tea; given the opportunity they like to eat the odd bit of cake too! They all give us their very best and together we come up with some great ideas for Storeroom.

Now onto the green stuff! This month we have together saved over 1500 pieces of furniture and household items from our island landfill. These items weighed in at over 16,700kgs – it’s difficult to imagine that weight, so think of 440 average chests of drawers instead!

We have changed our van schedules, so from November, new stock will be arriving daily. Go on, come to see us and bag a bargain.

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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September 2015

What a busy month! So many kind donations from our island community and plenty of support from people visiting our shop too. We have been delighted with the help of our fantastic band of volunteers who keep everything shipshape – we could not manage without them and indeed Storeroom would not be here if they did not give us so many hours of their time; this month over 700 hours! Would you like to be a part of our volunteer team at Storeroom? If yes, please give our manager Nick Miller a call on 298679.

We expect you are wondering how much furniture and other useful household goods was re-used in September and saved from going to our island landfill? Well, the good news is, very nearly 14,000kgs! Or, to imagine that weight better, it would be about the same as 196 average dining table and six chair sets! Don’t worry though, there is still a plentiful choice of items here, from teaspoons to wardrobes and everything else in between too! Stock changes daily and always something new to see, so a good place to have a browse if you have some time on your hands – be warned though, it’s not often someone leaves without purchasing something that has caught their eye . . . or several things!

You’ll be pleased to hear that Storeroom Education is going strong, with the Social Enterprise schemes providing a small income for the Skills Gap Training project. The carpentry learners have been using their new skills to make bespoke items for several satisfied customers. Also, we have been very fortunate to receive some grant monies this month from three different funders! If you need to call our Education Department they can be found on 209734 and are open Monday to Friday.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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August 2015

Thank you for your support in August. We have all been busy here, accepting your kind donations and keeping everything clean and tidy for our customers. Our volunteers ensure that Storeroom can keep its doors open to everyone and without them we would not be here. They kindly gave us nearly 600 hours of their time this month and their support really is invaluable.

Together we have saved many items from going to landfill, over 1000 of them, which equals around 12,500kgs. What does that weight look like? Think of 298 average sofas instead! Its great that just by reusing furniture and household items rather than throwing them away we can all help our environment in this way.

This month Storeroom Education have been busy too. There is a new course running alongside the NOCN Carpentry & Joinery Level 1, NOCN Carpentry & Joinery Level 2 and more courses and activities to start soon. Contact them for further information on 209734.

Don’t forget this website has lots of pages with all sort of information. Over 75,750 views to date!

Thank you, you have played a part in our growing success story

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July 2015

Despite some days when the weather was dreadful, many of you still came to see us at Storeroom, thank you! People visit us for all sorts of reasons, apart from wanting to buy something specific. Up-cyclers look about for inspiration, bargain hunters for, well, bargains and other people just like to pop in regularly and look around, just in case! Everyone benefits from our free parking right outside and our opening days/hours of Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Everything at Storeroom happens because we have such a great band of regular volunteers, who ensure it all runs smoothly and who deal with all sorts of problems, fueled mostly on tea, coffee, the occasional bit of cake and of course our profuse thanks! These lovely people gave us over 650 hours of their time in July and we would not be here without them.

All the furniture and other household items moved on to new homes in July means that over 1200 items did not go to the tip, that’s over 13,500kgs which would be about the same as 973 coffee tables. Makes you think doesn’t it?

Don’t forget to check out the training page on this website to see what is on offer at our new education unit!

Storeroom, the island’s leading furniture re-use charity

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June 2015

What a busy month it has been for Storeroom and Storeroom Education! Our training has now all moved into our new building just a stone’s throw from Storeroom. Please see the training page on this website for further information and if you cannot find what you need or you have any other queries, please call Storeroom Education on 01983 209734.

As ever, thank you to everyone who has supported us by making purchases in our shop or by donating re-usable items to us. In June we sold over 1150 pieces of furniture and household items, this amounted to over 11,300kgs saved from landfill – how great is that? Many of these items went to people in need who were referred to Storeroom by one of over 50 agencies on the island. We operate a two tier price system so that referred people can benefit from reduced pricing on a great proportion of our stock and these reductions are made on our already very reasonable prices.

So, what does 11,300kgs look like? Try to imagine about 162 of these corner units!

We could not achieve any of this without the help and support of our wonderful volunteers. In June they gave Storeroom over 800 hours of their time; they polished, washed, hoovered, wiped, lifted, stacked, served customers, helped on the van with deliveries and collections and not forgetting, did it all with a smile on their face and the desire to help this local charity. We even have volunteers in our education unit!

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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May 2015

Our handful of staff and trusty band of volunteers have all worked very hard again to keep everything running as smoothly as possible here and they all do an excellent job! The volunteers have given us nearly 900 hours of their own time this month and for Storeroom that is invaluable.

This month we had even more to do than usual! We have acquired new premises to transfer our training programme to as we had outgrown the space here. These premises have required some refurbishment works and general cleaning and tidying up, so that has kept us really busy. Several learners from our previous free carpentry and joinery courses for local unemployed people have spent time with us and helped with all manner of tasks. We plan to be up and running in the new building mid June so watch our Facebook page or this site for updates. Unemployed people will continue to get that free, extra opportunity to train for a qualification which may help set them on the path to a new job or career.

Well, now for the exciting bit – how much did we save from landfill this month? Nearly 14,500kgs which was made up of over 1250 items!!! Or 262 wardrobes if that’s easier to imagine than the weight. Well done and thank you very much!

Thank you, you have played a part in our growing success story

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April 2015

Once again we have all done ‘our bit’ to help our community in need and our environment too. Donations to Storeroom have been very gratefully received and over 400 customers, including those referred to us by one of over 50 agencies across the island have been able to purchase affordable furniture and household goods. Our wonderful volunteers also donated something very valuable to us – their time. This month they gave us over 750 hours which helps to keep our doors open for everyone. We would not be here without their assistance!

So how much did we manage to save from that trip to the tip in April? Over 12,500kgs – or think of 596 small bookcases instead! Every little helps because in under a decade, our island landfill will have reached capacity.

We have made an exciting step forward with our training plans this month. We now have dedicated premises available and we will be able to expand the courses we can offer a little later this year. There will still be FREE courses for local unemployed people, but we will also offer paid for courses too; monies from which will go back into helping those who cannot access or afford training through the usual channels. There will also be non-vocational activities.

Watch this space!

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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March 2015

What a busy month March was! Thank you all so much for keeping those donations coming in and for making purchases from our shop. All monies spent help to keep Storeroom open to all and some goes towards our free training for unemployed people too! Fortunately we receive grant funding from various trusts both on and off the island; these pay the bulk of the costs of the Skills Gap Training courses.

Our volunteers are a great bunch, all sorts of people, who help in all sorts of ways. Their common denominator is that they believe in Storeroom and want to keep us up and running. In March they gave us over 850 hours of their time! We couldn’t manage without them and try to help out when we can with useful training. This month we placed two volunteers on a First Aid course. Something they can put with their CVs and a skill which may help them a little too, when they apply for work.

So, how did we do with the furniture re-use? Well around 1200 items were purchased in March and that amounted to nearly 12,250kgs which was not squashed into our island landfill. To imagine that weight how about thinking of 349 sideboards!

Remember – Re-use Rules!

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February 2015

Well done everyone! Together we have been able to save over 12,300kgs of re-usable furniture and household goods from being sent to our island landfill. That is about the same weight as 456 average chests of drawers. It would be downright crazy to squash these perfectly good things into the ground.

Storeroom would not operate without the help of our volunteers – they gave us over 750 hours this month – and not much gets done without their very valuable help and people power. Wherever you look you will see them assisting on the vans, serving customers, cleaning and tidying up – occasionally they might stop for a cuppa (and cake if there is any going!).

We had great feedback from the learners who completed the fifth carpentry course and the group on course six are doing really well and enjoying learning new skills. Our FREE Health & Safety in Construction courses for unemployed people seeking to apply for or renew their CSCS card are booking into April now!

What else is our Education department up to then? The courses below are all very reasonably priced! Each course sold helps to fund an unemployed person to learn something new and improve their chances of finding paid work. For further information please email educo.storeroom@yahoo.co.uk

Health and Safety In a Construction Environment: booking for April
First Aid: booking for March
Customer Service: booking for May
Award In Education and Training: booking for May
Preparation for University – A must for all new undergraduates: booking for July

Storeroom – making a difference

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January 2015

Well once again we can only thank you very much indeed, for all your kind donations and general support in January. Of course we also thank our wonderful volunteers! This month they gave us over 600 hours of their time, looking after so many aspects of running this charity enabling us to provide a service to the island. Storeroom is only as good as you all help to make us.

We are very pleased to say that last month together we saved over 10,700kgs from island landfill (or 595 rocking chairs if that helps you to image what that weight might look like!). What a wicked waste that would be to just throw good furniture away? Storeroom often accepts items which other charities turn down, things that may have small marks, but are still of serviceable quality. So if you have been let down elsewhere, please see if we can help. Obviously we can’t see your possible donations over the phone when you call, so we always advise people it’s the driver’s decision what can or cannot be accepted.

Our sixth Carpentry & Joinery course (FREE to unemployed local people) commenced in January and learners from our fifth course, which is still underway, have been completing work experience at the Aspire Community Center in Ryde. Its great that two island groups are helping each other this way. Our Health & Safety in Construction training courses, for those seeking their CSCS card (again FREE to local unemployed) saw 50 learners in just a few months last year and most of them have achieved or are still working towards their certificates.

Storeroom – an island charity dedicated to helping island people

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December 2014

Thank you for all your support again in 2014! Another year has gone by, rather too fast for our liking. Storeroom is still going strong and with your help we continue to serve our local community by collecting unwanted, but useful items which are no longer needed and by offering affordable furniture and household goods at our shop and warehouse.

Because we have such a loyal band of volunteer helpers who regularly give their own time to help us, we manage to provide a good service. In December our volunteers gave over 350 hours to keep our doors open to all and happily assisted our drivers, helped customers in the shop and just got on with anything that needed doing.

It was a short month this month so we can’t amaze you with how much we have saved from landfill, but we are delighted to say that 9,128kgs did not get squashed into the ground! And what does that weight look like? Try to imagine 338 average desks instead!

We have recently achieved more funding towards our Skills Gap Training at Storeroom and the sixth carpentry course, FREE to unemployed island residents will commence soon; currently there are a few places left. We are also continuing our Health & Safety training (for those needing the new CSCS card) FREE again if you are unemployed!

Storeroom2010, making a difference

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November 2014

Well it was a wet and miserable month, but plenty of people took the time to visit Storeroom, some of them for the first time. So many island residents have still not heard of Storeroom and there is little we can do ourselves as we cannot afford those continual advertising and leafleting campaigns that the big charities can always seem to spend money on. Please tell other people about us, the huge variety of stock on display and the affordable prices.

We continue to offer an islandwide free collection service for your unwanted, but re-usable items. Storeroom is here to make sure there is a good choice of furniture and household goods available for people who need them and cannot afford to purchase new. We will accept items that are not perfect, unlike other charities who prefer to only collect furniture which is virtually flawless. However, we cannot accept items which do not have the appropriate fire safety labelling.

With your help and the continued support from our very loyal bunch of volunteers, who gave us nearly 650 hours of their own time this month we were able to provide nearly 1200 items to our customers. Our wonderful volunteers keep the whole place clean and tidy, help our drivers with deliveries and collections and keep our doors open for the benefit of everyone on our lovely island.

The furniture and household goods that were re-used this month, instead of going to the tip, which is the fate of most stuff people no longer want but cannot find a new home for, weighed in at nearly 13,300kgs which is equivalent to 242 wardrobes!

There is still funding in place at Storeroom for our next carpentry course, FREE to unemployed island residents, for our Health & Safety training (for those needing the new CSCS card) FREE again and for our NEW employability courses – yes FREE!

An island charity dedicated to helping island people

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October 2014

We are all so lucky to live in a community where people care about each other and want to help. Our thanks, as always, go to our volunteers, without whom we would not be able to stay open, to all the people who donated unwanted but re-usable furniture and household items to Storeroom and not forgetting our customers!

Our wonderful volunteers gave us nearly 700 hours of their own time this month. They help to keep everything running smoothly at our premises and out on our vehicles. We would not be here without them. They think up new ideas for ways to improve Storeroom and really make a difference.

Together we are enabling those less fortunate to be able to make their living space into a more comfortable home and by doing so we are sending so much less to our island landfill to be squashed into the ground. This month we saved nearly 14,500kgs from the tip, which was over 1,400 items. So, what does that weight look like? It is about the same as 1,030 bedside cabinets!

Our training is still going well, with another (FREE for island unemployed people) carpentry & joinery course starting later this month and ongoing Health & Safety in Construction courses (also FREE to unemployed island people).

Remember, re-use rules!

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September 2014

Storeroom had another busy month with a large variety of items donated. Thank you again to all the wonderful people who donate items they no longer need to us. Your old possessions all end up very much wanted in new island locations and help make another person’s place into something very special – their home!

Last month our customers purchased just over 1000 items, which saved in excess of 12,000kgs from going to Isle of Wight landfill. This valued custom helped keep our doors open for the referred clients who benefit from lower prices, at a time when they most need help to furnish their homes. Sadly, every year the number of people referred to Storeroom increases.

We have commenced our 5^th (FREE!) carpentry & joinery course for unemployed people over 18 who are resident on the island. This has been made possible by funding from foundations on and off the Isle of Wight. It is part of ‘giving something back’ to our island community who have supported us for several years as a charity in our own right. Please see our training page for more information and some photos too.

Our volunteers were busy, as always, helping the customers, keeping everything neat, clean and tidy around the shop and warehouse or they were out on the vans with our drivers, collecting and delivering items. The volunteer team kindly gave nearly 600 hours of their time during the month and we really could not manage without them.

604 of these equals approx 12,000kgs!

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August 2014

Well, can you believe a whole year has gone by since Storeroom moved to our current premises on the Somerton Estate in Cowes? That time has flown by and we believe just about everyone thinks this building is a lot better than the last one we were in. What exactly are the benefits? Well, we have free parking outside for our customers, we have been able to commence our carpentry training for unemployed people and the premises is much warmer and dryer in the winter months.

During August, Storeroom was again well supported by the Isle of Wight community! This is wonderful as it means we can continue to offer very reasonably priced furniture and household goods to the general public, with many items sold at a further discount to referred clients. If you were in the position of having an empty space to live in, just where else could you go to in order to buy a van load of goods and then get them all delivered to your home just a few days later too for a tenner?

This month our volunteers gave us over 600 hours of their time and helped with so many important tasks to keep Storeroom up and running. There is so much to do behind the scenes and the cleaning and tidying up goes on forever. . . We get through loads of polish and glass cleaner!

Over 1000 items were saved from our island landfill in August, these weighed in at over 14,700kgs – or about the same as 2957 stools! It would be awful if all these reusable household goods ended up at the tip rather than finding a new home. We love it when we see before and after photos too, where someone has ‘upcycled’ an item. Please send photos of your project to us!

We enjoyed our very first fund raising event on 15^th August– a Medieval Night at The Castle Inn in Newport. Many thanks to all those who were involved and you’ll be pleased to know that £177 was raised for our Skills Gap Training project. The funding for this project is still trickling in and we do expect to be able to fund it beyond the original six months we planned.

The next carpentry training course will commence September/October and we are inviting applications from unemployed people over the age of 18 years. Please see the training page on our website for further information. There is also the on-going Health & Safety course for those who need their first CSCS card or to renew their expiring CSCS card; this course is also free for unemployed people over 18 years, but there is an option for those working to pay to do the course too.

Thank you again for your support and remember – Re-use Rules!

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July 2014

Thank you everyone for continuing to support Storeroom with your kind donations of furniture (which is ready for immediate re-use) or for visiting our shop and warehouse to make a purchase. We make sure that many of the items we have here are offered for sale at a reduced price to people in need who are referred to Storeroom. Sadly this group of people grows every year.

During July we together diverted over 1,100 items from landfill on our lovely island and those items weighed in at over 13,700kgs – or to make that a number that means something to us all, try to imagine instead 371 small sofas!

To make this all happen and to keep our doors open to everyone, our volunteers kindly gave over 660 hours of their time – they carried, cleaned, served customers, organised stuff generally and were all wonderful!

The new carpentry training courses are going well and already the Health & Safety course for those who need a new CSCS card or to renew their CSCS card, is popular (free for unemployed people 18-60) – please see the training page on our website for further information at www.storeroom.org.uk

Some feedback from learners on the first carpentry courses: –

“Would like to say thank you all” 🙂

“Thanks for all the help and support to help me find work and education”

“I thought the course was excellent. It has given me the knowledge and confidence to use a lot of different tools safely and proficiently. The theory side was explained and taught in an easy to understand manner, which made it interesting to learn. Our tutor has been excellent throughout the course making the whole course thoroughly enjoyable. I would recommend this course to anyone.”

“This course has helped me find the line of work I would like to go into. It has also given me the opportunity to learn more about the construction industry.”

Let’s do it all again next month!

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June 2014

Once again a BIG thank you to all our supporters, whether you have donated or purchased items from us. You enable Storeroom to continue to serve the needs of Isle of Wight residents, whether you want to save a re-usable item from going to landfill or if you need to purchase affordable furniture, which can usually be delivered to you within a week.

On 1^st July Storeroom2010 will be FOUR and we will have been successfully operating the furniture re-use charity without the benefits of funding. No mean feat and very much down to the help of such a grand group of volunteers who donate their time week in and week out to carry out all sorts of tasks here to keep us functioning to the best of our ability. As ever, a huge number of hours, nearly 550, were so very kindly given.

In June we together re-used over 800 items of furniture and other household goods. These totaled nearly 11,000kgs in weight and that is good news too as none of this ended up in our island landfill. To imagine that weight, try to think of 192 garden dining sets like this one.

Our funded training is still going well, the next two carpentry courses are now underway and we are still getting feedback on the first two courses, hopefully we will be able to bring you a report next month. In July our Skills Gap Training will be getting underway, so again, more news soon.

Remember – re-use rules!

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May 2014

You amaze us! Your continued support, whether donating useful items to this island charity, or coming to visit us to make a purchase; REALLY does keep our doors open to everyone. Together we save many bulky items of furniture from maybe ending up in our island landfill and it means those that cannot afford the luxury of buying new items have the chance to affordably make their living space into a more comfortable home. During May we were able to re-use almost 1,000 items which totalled nearly 12,400kgs or imagine that weight instead as similar to 364 times this dressing table.

Our volunteers amaze us!! During May these lovely people gave us over 600 hours of their own time. Without this marvellous help, Storeroom would not exist and that doesn’t mean just the furniture side of things wouldn’t be here, it would also mean that people would not get the chance to gain work experience. Also, with the funding we now have in place, unemployed people would not get that extra opportunity to train for a qualification which may set them on the path to a new job or career.

So, you have all done very well indeed and remember, you are a big part in a small, but growing success story. Thank you from Storeroom, an island charity dedicated to helping island people.

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April 2014

Well, Spring is well and truly here and what lovely weather we enjoyed over the Easter holidays, it certainly made a nice change for us all. At Storeroom we planted up a flowerbed bordering one side of our car park, but the rabbits have found it and munched most things! We thought they only ate vegetables!

Once again we wish to thank you all for your continued support of Storeroom, an island charity dedicated to island people. Furniture and household goods donated to us were all put to good use and many customers have benefited from being able to purchase affordable items from Storeroom, with people in greatest need benefitting from many reductions to the already low prices. In April around 850 items went to new homes which meant that a total in excess of 12,500kgs did not go to our island landfill. Not sure about that weight? Think of 295 sideboards instead!

Please think of Storeroom if you have an item you no longer use and which is ready for immediate re-use. We are here solely to serve our island community who need help to affordably make their living space into a home. Do call us on 298679 if you have something to donate.

Just a reminder to you all that without the help given by our team of volunteers the day to day running of Storeroom would not be possible. They are all ordinary people, who together help make something extraordinary happen! During April they kindly gave us over 600 hours of their own time, doing all sorts of things including helping customers in the shop, keeping the premises clean and tidy; they even go out with our van drivers to collect or deliver furniture!

We will shortly be commencing another carpentry & joinery course for unemployed people over 18 who are resident on the island. This has been made possible by funding from foundations on and off the Isle of Wight. It is part of ‘giving something back’ to our island community. We hope to update you on our learners from the first course in our next month’s report.

Thank you for supporting Storeroom.

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March 2014

Thank you to all our customers for visiting Storeroom during March, you battled all sorts of strange weathers to make a purchase, but at least its not far from our free parking area to the shop door if you are lucky enough to be able to drive over to see us! During the month over 900 items went to new homes instead of to the tip. How brilliant is that? Those items weighed in at just over 11,400kgs or to imagine that weight, think of 760 cane armchairs instead!

Another wave of gratitude goes out to the kind people who donated things they no longer have a use for. Not only does re-use help our environment, but the availability of cheap, albeit secondhand furniture for people who are short of cash can make an enormous difference to their lives. It can make their living space into a home, help them to live in a bit of comfort and help keep their dignity intact. Unless you have been in this position of having very little furniture around you, it is hard to appreciate just how depressing it can make you feel.

Over 50 agencies across the island identify people in need and suggest visiting Storeroom for furniture and household item purchases. If you need a referral please approach your Jobcentre, Housing officer, Health professional, Social Services, or if your need is very great and you have no funds at all, try the Isle of Wight Council LAS scheme for assistance.

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February 2014

Well done to our kind and generous island community! Your lovely donations of furniture and household items meant that over 900 useful things did not go to the island landfill. That little lot weighed in at just over 11,300kgs in weight, or try to imagine instead 390 dining tables squashed into the ground . . . A very bad thing indeed. We never forget that you all contribute to our success and we hope you enjoy your visits here and have found a bargain or two for your homes. And if you haven’t visited us yet, you never know, you might just find what you never knew you always wanted!

If you can gift aid your donations to us that is a great help too and we can all take great pleasure in knowing that the taxman has to help us out.

Storeroom would not be operating without the invaluable help and support of our hard working volunteer team, who gave us over 500 hours of their time and expertise in February. They help with so many different tasks to keep Storeroom up and running for everyone in our local community. We also receive help from people placed with us for work experience, some have stayed on as volunteers and some have moved onto paid work. We love it when that happens!

Our carpentry courses are still running and we are looking to the future to ensure we are able to offer more of the same or similar courses, which will help our island’s unemployed people to gain new skills and qualifications.

Remember everyone, re-use rules!

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January 2014

Thank you everyone for your continued support of this island charity. We are taking this opportunity to remind you that all your kind donations of furniture and household goods are sold on to island people and monies raised are used to keep Storeroom open to all and is not sent elsewhere. We still have the referral system in place and last year around 50 agencies across the island referred people in need to us and their clients benefited from further reductions to many items available here. We get lots of positive feedback regarding our prices and we know we are cheaper than a lot of other secondhand outlets.

Who makes this all happen? Well, we have just a handful of paid staff and 4 times as many volunteers, without whom Storeroom would not be here to serve the local community. This month our volunteers gave us over 500 hours of their time. Be nice to them!

An amazing variety of items were donated in January and an equally amazing number of items were sold, over 850. This amounted to 10,500kgs (imagine 283 small sofas!) which will now not be squashed into our island landfill. Well done and thank you all very much.

We have started our new carpentry courses this month and we now have 16 learners working towards their NOCN Level 1 in Carpentry and Joinery. Please see our training page for more information and some photos. This has been thanks to funding from sources on and off island and we hope to start another course in June.

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OVERVIEW OF 2013 / TONNAGE RE-USED

During the year 125,276kgs of furniture was re-used through Storeroom. This was not our best year as we lost over a week during our move to new premises. But, to give you some idea of what that weight might look like, imagine everything you can see in the photo below and then multiply by 170 . . . . Now, what’s best for our environment, furniture re-use, or squashing it into the ground at our island landfill?

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December 2013

This was a funny old month for us at Storeroom. We were busier than expected with both collections and deliveries. Luckily we were able to help out just about all of the people who had those last minute jobs for us.

Furniture donated to Storeroom has found its way into many island homes and not gone to the tip! Some items are sold at a discounted price to people in need who are referred to Storeroom, other items go to bargain hunters who like something a bit different which can’t be found in the local shops or big stores. The customers who pay our ‘shop’ goods prices help to keep Storeroom up and running, pay the bills and keep our doors open to everyone. THANK YOU!

As usual our great team of volunteers helped to keep everything running smoothly and they gave us nearly 400 hours of their time this month. Really amazing, especially when everyone is so busy in the run up to the festive break. We cannot thank our task force enough, as without them there would be no Storeroom; they are the reason we were able to keep open when funding was withdrawn back in 2010 and they are the reason we can look forward to being with you all again in 2014.

So what did you purchase in December? Over 700 items! And that saved in excess of 8,000kgs from being taken to our island landfill and buried forever. It is difficult to imagine what 8,000kgs looks like – so imagine 233 small sideboards instead!

A very Happy New Year to you and yours from all at Storeroom.

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November 2013

In the run up to Christmas and with all the usual expenses, if you need house ware for a gift, we always have a great selection here at Storeroom at very affordable prices. Storeroom is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm, pop in and bag a bargain!

During November our volunteers gave us 731 hours of their own time and without our volunteers we would not be here serving the island community. They provide such a valuable task force for Storeroom and help with all aspects needed to keep the charity up and running.

Thank you again for all your lovely donations of furniture and household goods and if you were able to gift aid those donations to us, that was very helpful for us – we love it when the taxman has to help us out! While we’re thanking everyone, we’ve not forgotten our customers! You too are part of our success and we hope you enjoy your visits here and have found a bargain or two.

Your purchases in November (over 1200 items!) saved over 14,250kgs from being thrown away into our island landfill. And what does that weight look like – around 492 dining tables! Imagine all that squashed in the ground in OUR island tip. Madness.

You may have heard about our Carpentry training courses and we are pleased to say that funding from various sources has paid for 16 people to be invited to the first course, which is fully booked. We will run another course later in the year and you can find information on the training page of this site.

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October 2013

We think most of our loyal band of customers has now come to see us at the new premises, they appreciate the FREE parking outside and dryness inside – the roof here doesn’t leak when it rains! The Saturday opening is popular and is here to stay too.

Our Storeroom volunteer task force donated nearly 850 hours of their time in October and many kind people on the Isle of Wight donated a wide and very useful variety of furniture and other household goods. Without these two groups of people, Storeroom would not be able to provide a much needed service to those who cannot afford the luxury of buying brand new.

Customers play their part in keeping this Island charity viable too, supporting us by making purchases and the re-use of these items saves so much from going into our island landfill. In October over 12,000kgs was saved from being squashed into a hole in the ground. What does 12,000kgs look like? Well imagine 873 bedside tables instead!

We can now offer Gift Aid, so if you telephone to make a donation you will be asked if you wish to make your donation this way. The government – not you, will make a contribution to us! If you are a UK tax payer who has paid tax in the last few years you will qualify for the Gift Aid scheme. All we ask you to do is to sign a form when we collect your donated item/s. You do not need to do anything yourself. And if you can’t Gift Aid an item to us, we will happily still accept it thank you very much!

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September 2013

Our customers are giving us great feedback on our new premises and love the free parking too. Our Saturday opening is proving popular – don’t forget we are now closed on Mondays though.

Thank you everyone for your donations and purchases – together you are helping to keep Storeroom open for everyone to benefit whether a bargain hunter or someone in need of affordable furniture.

Our volunteer task force gave us well over 500 hours of their time to make it all happen here and without them there would be no Storeroom. We are so lucky to have such a great group of people to help us and they are all really appreciated.

When you make a purchase at Storeroom, not only does your money help to keep the charity sustainable, but it is also good for our environment as that means unwanted items have not ended up at our island landfill. In September we together saved over 850 items from going to the tip. All those items weighed in at nearly 13,000kgs, which is equal to 474 armchairs!

Many of our customers are referred by one of 60 agencies across the island who identify people in need and suggest to them that they visit Storeroom for their furniture and household item purchases. If you need a referral please approach your Jobcentre, Housing officer, Health professional, Social Services, or if the need is very great try the Isle of Wight Council LAS scheme for assistance.

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August 2013

What a month that was . . . On 12 August Storeroom closed for just over a week in order to move premises, which went quite well with only a few things broken or lost!

Our loyal customers have found our new premises and even commented how much nicer they are. Customers are also pleased with our new opening days of Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. The FREE parking is great for everyone too!

The continued support of people donating items to us and making a purchase ensures that this valuable island project stays open for everyone. Where would those in greatest need be able to affordably purchase a wide variety of household furniture and other goods in one visit and have them delivered just a few days later, if Storeroom were no longer here?

New to Storeroom this month was the Gift Aid process, if you telephone to make a donation you will be asked if you wish to make your donation Gift Aid. This costs the government – not you! If you are a UK tax payer who has paid tax in the last few years you will qualify for the Gift Aid scheme. All we ask you to do is to sign a form when we collect your donated item/s. You do not need to do anything yourself.

We are always amazed at how committed our volunteers are, we have taken to calling them the Task Force! In August they gave us nearly 600 hours of their own time to look after our shop and warehouse, help out on the van – and not forgetting helping us with our big move.

All purchases made at Storeroom mean that unwanted or replaced items have not ended up at our island landfill. August saw over 800 items saved from that ever decreasing hole in the ground. These items weighed in at nearly 10,500kgs, which is equal to 349 benches!

Remember, re-use rules!

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July 2013

It has been a bit of a strange month here at Storeroom as we are in the process of changing premises. You’ll be pleased to hear that everything is going to plan and when I next write this short report, we will be in our new ‘home’! As always, when you go somewhere new, you want everything to be just right and that is why it is taking some time to get organised. Remember, until Friday 9^th August at 4pm, we can still be found at Bridge Road, Cowes.

Many thanks to all of you who have continued to support us with donations of furniture and household items which are ready for immediate re-use. Also our thanks to all our many customers whose purchases help us to stay open for everyone, especially helping our referred clients, who are in the greatest need, to affordably purchase items to make their living space more homely and functional for them and their family.

During July our volunteer group gave us over 700 hours of their time. They do all sorts of things to help at Storeroom, from making a cuppa to helping with deliveries! Without our volunteer task force, Storeroom would not be here as we receive no funding whatsoever; so pat yourselves on the back, as it’s all down to this little island’s community that we are a success.

As ever, purchases made at Storeroom mean that items have not been sent to the tip. This is great for our environment! During July over 900 items were saved and re-used, which is over 11,000kgs or 260 lounge units. Imagine all those squashed into the ground. How mad is that?

Thank you to everyone who completed our online survey. The result was 82.7% in favour of our opening days changing from Mon-Fri to Tue-Sat, so that will begin at our new premises.

Don’t forget, Storeroom is one of the best places on the island for a wide and affordable selection of pre-loved furniture and household goods, so come and see us soon!

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June 2013

Once again our local community has supported each other by donating the items they no longer needed. Storeroom’s volunteer group has helped keep everything together by assisting in our shop, in the warehouse, on the vans and in the office. These wonderful people gave over 600 hours of their time and we couldn’t manage without them all.

Customers are still coming in to see what bargains they can find at Storeroom and many people in need are still being referred to us by one of 60 agencies across the island. In June over 900 items were purchased which equals over 11,000kgs of tonnage which didn’t go to our island tip – and to help you image that weight as furniture, think of 408 chests of drawers.

We have a new survey for you to take a look at – please use the link at the top of the home page on our website – just one question – it concerns two choices of opening days we are considering.

We look forward to seeing you soon for your pre-loved bargains! Currently we are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Don’t forget we advertise lots of items on www.wightgoods.co.uk search for Storeroom2010 on their home page.

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May 2013

Thank you everyone! Your donations and purchases of household items enabled Storeroom to keep its doors open to all. Our volunteers play a huge role in this service too. Without them Storeroom wouldn’t be here . . . During May our volunteers gave us nearly 600 hours of their own time to keep things running smoothly in the shop and warehouse and of course, behind the scenes too.

Our super and very loyal customers purchased around 750 items which amounts to over 10,500kgs in tonnage. By everyone trying to re-use items rather than just throwing them away, it hopefully saves our tip from being filled up quite so quickly. So as you can better imagine that weight, it is equivalent to about 285 small sofas being squashed into the ground!

We have recently added the results and comments from our customer survey to this website. Please see the link on the home page.

Don’t forget! Storeroom is still one of the cheapest places on the island to buy your secondhand furniture, so why not pop over and have a look round? We are open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm. See you soon?

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April 2013

At last spring is here and you all seem to have been busy having a sort out! We have been offered a wide selection of furniture and other household goods you no longer need and you’ll be pleased to know everything has been put to good use at Storeroom.

Our customers have been so delighted to find so many bits and pieces they need for their homes that they have bought over 1000 items this month! Your donations and purchases help to keep Storeroom a going concern and we continue to offer a useful service to the general public and especially to people in need, who are referred to us by one of 60 agencies across the Isle of Wight.

All those purchases amounted to over 11,000kgs which was re-used rather than taken to our island tip. It’s difficult to imagine 11,000kgs so instead try to visualise 315 small sideboards!

Helping Storeroom this month were our wonderful group of volunteers; they happily gave us over 450 hours of their own free time, looking after the shop and warehouse and helping on the vans with collections and deliveries too. They are the reason Storeroom can stay open for everyone, as without them the running costs would be unmanageable.

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March 2013

Well done everyone! Despite the cold and generally nasty weather many of you came to see us at Storeroom and made a purchase or two. Many of you also donated items to us. Thank you all so much for helping to keep this valuable service available for our island community.

We have been carrying out a customer survey recently in our shop and online; we are really overwhelmed by the kind comments we have received. We plan to publish the results on our website.

Well, how did we all do last month? Nearly 10,000kgs of furniture and other household items (about the same weight as 400 bookcases!) did not go to the tip as they were re-used (re-use rules!).

Our volunteers were busy as always helping the customers, keeping everything neat and tidy around the shop and warehouse or were out on the vans collecting and delivering items. They kindly gave us nearly 550 hours of their time during the month and we really could not manage without them.

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February 2013

Thank you ever so much for your kind custom this month and for all of your brilliant donations of furniture and household items. You have helped to keep this island charity open to everyone!

During February, with your help, we saved nearly 10,000kgs (made up from over around 900 items, big and small) from going to the tip. Just so you can imagine this amount of furniture, it is about the same as 367 chests of drawers!

All this would not have happened if it wasn’t for our fabulous volunteers who gave us over 450 hours of their time this month.

Thank you everyone for your support during these difficult financial times. Storeroom is still up and running and continues to offer a useful and valuable service to all members of the island community.

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January 2013

Thank you for your custom this month and all your wonderful donations of furniture and household goods. Your custom and donations have helped keep our premises open for people in need as well as for all the bargain hunters out there!

Our customers purchased nearly 650 items this month which saved around 7800kgs from going to landfill. It’s difficult to imagine what that would mean – so think of 92 sofa beds instead!

We wouldn’t be able to succeed every month if it wasn’t for our fabulous volunteers. They generously gave us over 500 hours of their time.

January was a cold month here at Storeroom, so if you visit us in February – don’t forget to WRAP UP WARM!

Storeroom is still one of the cheapest places on the idea to buy your secondhand furniture, so why not pop over and have a look round? We are open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm. See you soon!

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December 2012

Christmas is all over now, as is another year. We look forward to 2013 and hope we all fare better than last year, when quite frankly, times were hard for so many people.

Our charity has survived another year without the luxury of funding and we intend to continue to provide our island community with the best service we can, for as long as we can.

Without our fantastic volunteers we would not be able to open our doors. They gave us 530 hours of their time this month and did a great job; helping with collections and deliveries and ensuring the smooth running of the shop and warehouse. If you’ve not yet been to see us you may be surprised at how large our premises are and just what we have to offer.

Also in December we were able to promote the re-use of 723 pieces of furniture and household items. That amounted to over 7,800kgs which didn’t go to the tip or to make that weight easier to imagine, that would be the same weight as about 270 dining tables!

Don’t forget that we now advertise most of our shop items which are available for sale on http://wightgoods.co.uk/ – regularly showing over 100 items. We try to keep this information up to date, office time permitting!

Storeroom will re-open on Monday 7^th January at 10am and we look forward to seeing everyone then. Thank you so much for your continued support and Happy New Year to you all!

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November 2012

Our thanks to all of you because together we have helped re-use 1300 items this month. That is approximately 11,600kgs that has not ended up in our island landfill. Or to put it another way, that amount of tonnage would equal 276 large sofas.

Our volunteers, as always, were great! They gave us nearly 750 hours of their time during the month. This means we can continue to provide a service to our island community that we would otherwise be unable to offer without their help.

Support agencies across the island are still regularly identifying customers in need to Storeroom and these people/families are benefiting from lower prices of our warehouse furniture stock. No other furniture re-use charity on the island is part of this scheme as they all have other agendas to fulfill.

We are now advertising plenty of our items for sale on Wightgoods (an island site) please follow the link on our home page to take you there and view our 100 or so adverts.

Please note that Storeroom will be closed for 2 weeks over the festive season, so will be unable to collect or deliver during that period.

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October 2012

Thank you everyone for your continued support. For your donations, for purchases made in our shop and warehouse and to our fabulous volunteer team for their time, over 845 hours in just this month. Without you all, there would be no Storeroom and our doors would close forever.

We are able respond to most calls with requests for us to pick up donated items within 3 – 5 working days (sooner still in emergencies) and we have often stepped in when other furniture re-use agencies have been unable to help. As always, we are happy to accept most furniture which is ready for immediate re-use, i.e. clean, tidy and not in need of any repair. If you have something that is ‘as new’ we would be delighted to accept it too!

This month we have together saved over 1200 pieces of furniture and household items from the dreaded tip. That’s well over 12,000kgs and if that was all wardrobes, it would be 220 of them!

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September 2012

This was another busy month for us all at Storeroom. Donated items came thick and fast and you all supported us by purchasing so many things, over 1000 of them, which together weighed approximately 10,500kgs!

All this could not have been achieved without our band of cheerful volunteers who gave us almost 600 hours of their time during September.

Our referred clients were able to find furniture and household goods that helped turn their living spaces into a more comfortable home for a fraction of the cost of buying new. Thank you so much for helping us to help them. There are now over 60 support and housing agencies on the island who refer clients in need to Storeroom.

Don’t forget that if you can’t get over to see us you can browse some of our items currently in stock by looking on Wightbay. We usually have around 100 items advertised.

Ever thought about becoming a volunteer? If so please contact the manager Nick Miller on 298679 for further information. Even a few hours once a week can make all the difference to this project.

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August 2012

Well, we hope you enjoyed a little bit of summer during the school holidays. Here at Storeroom it was business as usual. Luckily we had help to keep things running from our great bunch of volunteers, who gave us over 600 hours of their time during the month.

Referred customers and other members of the general public donated and purchased many items from us and our customers had a surprising variety of household furniture and goods to choose from. We even sold the paddling pool that starred on our Facebook page!

Talking of starring, we have a kitchen table currently on loan to Trinity Theatre, Cowes which is appearing in ‘Calendar Girls’, we also had a selection of furniture in ‘Don’t just lie there, say something’ at Totland Church Hall. Our furniture is certainly well travelled!

During August we together saved nearly 13,000 kgs (over 1000 items) from being squashed into the ground at the tip. Well done everyone!

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July 2012

A big THANK YOU to all the kind people who donated furniture and household goods to Storeroom this month. We are hearing an increasing number of stories from people who have been let down by one of the National Charities who they had originally booked to collect their donation. Some of the time we were able to help these people out at very short notice when their items were rejected by that agency.

Our customers are still enjoying the wide choice of items at our shop and warehouse premises in Cowes. We advertise quite a few things on Wightbay too – around 90 of them usually, so if you want to browse online you can. Unfortunately you do need to visit us to purchase and pay.

An ever increasing number of support agencies on the island are still kindly identifying customers in need to Storeroom, and these people/families are benefiting from lower prices than the general public. This is exactly how it should be, those of us who can afford to buy at very reasonable second hand prices, can help those who are in need of help. All purchases made do of course enable Storeroom to stay open and without Storeroom many pieces of furniture and other household goods may well have ended their life at the tip.

This month, with your help, we saved over 11,600kgs (made up from over 900 items big and small) from that fate. This could not have happened without the help of our wonderful volunteer team who we really cannot thank enough. They gave us over 500 hours of their free time this month.

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June 2012

This month saw the end of our second year of trading without the benefit of any funding to support us. We have relied solely on the generous donations made by our island community of their unwanted furniture and household items. These ‘treasures’ have been sold onto the general public at bargain prices and at lower prices still to clients identified as being in need; clients who have been referred to Storeroom by one of over fifty island agencies currently providing support.

During June we sold nearly 800 items, our volunteer teams in the shop, warehouse and on the vans, were wonderful and they generously gave Storeroom nearly 550 hours of their time in order to make this all happen.

Your purchasing power and commitment to re-use meant that nearly 12,000kgs of furniture and household goods did not get sent to the tip. Along with the council recycling initiatives begun this year, we are together doing our share to improve the island environment.

If you feel you can help Storeroom2010 as a volunteer, please contact the manager Nick Miller on 298679 for further information. Even a few hours once a week can make all the difference to this project.

Thank you to all our supporters!

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May 2012

We are pleased to say that May was a good month for Storeroom in many ways!

In terms of donations, we are delighted that so many of our island residents did think of us when they had unwanted furniture and household items to pass on. Every donation made this way to Storeroom helps to keep the doors open to all and this in turn means that Storeroom can continue to provide a choice of cheap furniture to people identified as being in need and reasonably priced furniture to everyone on a budget.

Secondly, our shop and warehouse were busy and we sold around 800 items during the month. And who did all the hard work? Why our volunteers of course! Our team in the shop and the teams helping with collections and in the warehouse, together gave us over 600 hours of their time. They are awesome!

Those 800 items weighed in at nearly 11,000kgs. Isn’t re-use a much better idea than everything being squashed into our landfill site?

And lastly, very good news this month, 2 of our volunteers have secured part time employment. They of course can’t spend quite as much time helping out as before, but maybe you would be interested in becoming a volunteer? If you have a few hours (or more) that you could spare during the week, please contact Nick Miller on 298679 for further information.

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April 2012

Despite the Easter holidays Storeroom had a productive, busy month. Once again we have made improvements to our shop and warehouse, which keep us running efficiently. We are able respond to most calls with requests for us to pick up donated items within a few working days (sooner still in emergencies) we have often stepped in when other agencies have been unable to help. As always, we are happy to accept most furniture which is ready for immediate re-use, i.e. clean, tidy and not in need of any major repair. It would be nice, but we don’t need perfection!

This month our customers purchased nearly 700 items large and small; these totaled nearly 9100kgs, which otherwise may have ended up at our tip instead of being re-used. Just think what a dreadful shame it would be for all these things to be just cast aside.

To make this all happen our volunteer team, without whom we could not operate, gave us nearly 600 hours of their time in April. We really can’t thank them all enough. Since separating from Real World Trust, Storeroom continues to operate without any form of funding. The generosity of this island’s residents in donating their re-usable furniture is key to our success, along with our small team of staff and volunteers, who are outstanding! We are extremely lucky to have these hard working and caring people on our side.

Daily, clients are being referred to Storeroom by support agencies across the island and in many cases, these people would literally be without any furniture in their homes – Storeroom’s prices, especially reduced to help people identified as being in need, really do make a difference to quality of life when homes can be furnished in an affordable manner.

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March 2012

Thank you once again to everyone for your kind donations of furniture and household goods. A big thank you too for all our customers! During March you purchased over 1000 items and together we have saved over 11,500kgs from our island landfill by practicing re-use.

As always, our volunteers worked very hard for us – they selflessly gave well over 800 hours of their time to keep the doors at Storeroom open. No easy task for a stand-alone charity without the benefit of funding. Can you spare some free time to help out? If so, please contact the Manager, Nick Miller.

Storeroom prices are low and our delivery fees very reasonable. In fact they have not changed since we separated from Real World Trust back in July 2010. People identified as being in need who are referred to Storeroom from one of approximately 50 support agencies currently liaising with us, benefit from a 30% to 50% discount on most furniture prices from warehouse stock.

If you’ve not yet been to visit Storeroom for a browse why not pop over to see us soon? We have a surprising variety of items in stock and not many people look around and leave without something! Even if they didn’t think they needed it in the first place . . . Where else could you find a second hand canteen of cutlery, a sofa, an iron, a bedside cabinet, a coffee table, a duvet, a microwave, a kettle, some towels, a wardrobe and a lounge unit . . . the list goes on!

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February 2012

February has been yet another busy month. Our customers made many purchases – well over 1,000 items left Storeroom for re-use! All that furniture and bric a brac totalled in excess of 12,000kgs; which didn’t just end its days at the tip; instead helped someone make their place more homely. Well done everyone!

As usual our group of volunteers were superb! They cheerfully gave us more than 800 hours of their time and kept Storeroom up and running for the benefit of everyone on this island who needs help with furnishing their home at a discount price.

We are indebted to the kind people who have furniture they no longer need and would rather donate it to Storeroom in order that we can organise its re-use. Some of the many national organisations on the island cannot compare with Storeroom prices, delivery fees or collection facility. We aim to continue in the future with the best customer service we can provide.

New this year are our monthly special offers, please check out the page on this website to see what is available. Also, why not see what we are up to on Facebook too? Go to www.facebook.com/Storeroom2010

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January 2012

Another 3 week month for Storeroom, but we have helped lots of people with their purchases; we have also kept the bargain hunters amongst you happy! Nearly 650 items went out of our doors for re-use, which means that over 8,300kgs did not go to the island landfill.

Re-cycling is on everybody’s minds with the new refuse arrangements now in force and in the last year Storeroom saved over 126,500kgs of unwanted household items from ending their days at the tip.

During January our volunteers worked over 600 hours to keep Storeroom open to all. We really could not manage without them; so if you have a half day or full day during the week to spare, get in touch and join the team!

Please remember us if you have any household furniture to donate, sorry, but Storeroom cannot clean or repair these items.

As a stand-alone charity we don’t have a huge supporting network to help financially, so every donation and purchase really does make a difference.

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December 2011

Considering Storeroom has only been open for 3 weeks this month, we have been quite busy with approx 600 items passing through the shop and warehouse for re-use. These items weighed a total of just over 9,000kgs.

Our kind hearted volunteer team worked over 550 hours during December to keep Storeroom open for our referred clients and all you bargain hunters out there! We now have 50 support agencies across the island referring people in need to Storeroom and these customers benefit from a 30% – 50% discount on items from our warehouse stock.

We are sorry if you wanted to donate an item to us over the festive season, as we will be closed until 10am Monday 9^th January 2012, but we will be delighted to accept your donations in the New Year. Please continue to offer us your furniture and household items to keep Storeroom open for everyone..

Best wishes to you all for the festive season. We look forward to 2012 and with your donations and purchases we can continue to help each other and our island by re-use of serviceable furniture or household items and not letting them end their days at our landfill site.

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November 2011

Mostly a busy month again for us all at Storeroom, although the last week was very quiet, due we think, to the new store which opened in Newport.

Over 1000 items passed through Storeroom for re-use and those items weighed in at just over 12,500kgs. Our wonderful team of volunteers worked nearly 850 hours last month to keep Storeroom open to all; everyone is welcome to come in and look for a bargain! Over 40 support agencies across the island are referring people in need to Storeroom and these customers benefit from a 30% – 50% discount on items from our warehouse stock.

Storeroom is still operating without any funding whatsoever and your donations and purchases are invaluable in order that we can continue to provide this important service to our island community. Your unwanted furniture or household items can become someone’s valued possessions.

We are normally open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, but will be closing for the Christmas and New Year from 12noon on Friday 23 December 2011 then will re-open at 10am on Monday 9^th January 2012.

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year! We look forward to 2012 when we hope we can do just that little bit more for our island community and environment.

Please all continue to help each other and remember, re-use rules!

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October 2011

October seemed a quiet month for Storeroom, probably due to the half term break and some unseasonably warm weather, which many people enjoyed. However, now we have had the chance to look at our figures, we can see that Storeroom must’ve been busier during term time than we realised . . .

Re-use of furniture and household items saves a surprising amount from our island landfill. In October our customers purchased over 900 items, which together weighed in at nearly 12,500kgs.

You may have spotted Storeroom has 2 vans out and about on the island now. We have also been able to employ some part time staff; we only wish we could employ more. Don’t forget that Storeroom would not be able to function without our many kind and helpful volunteers. Together they worked over 700 hours last month to keep Storeroom open to everyone, whether a referred customer or ‘the man in the street’.

Please come along to our shop and warehouse. Remember that your custom helps Storeroom to stay open and provide a much needed service for the referred clients who benefit from lower prices.

We are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. You may be surprised at just what is available; we often are!

Thank you again to all the wonderful people who donate items no longer needed to Storeroom. Your old possessions all end up very much wanted in new locations and help make another person’s place into something very special – their home!

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September 2011

September found us overwhelmed with offers of furniture for our charity and sadly we had to turn some items down. We hate having to do this, especially when we know those items will be disposed of at the tip, but sometimes we just run out of storage space.

Our shop and warehouse were busy with referred clients and other members of the general public, who together purchased over 800 items for re-use. That means well over 12,000kgs of perfectly serviceable furniture and other household goods did not go into our island landfill. If you look at the photo at the top of this page that gives you some idea of what 3,000kgs of furniture looks like. So, you have all saved 4 times that amount of furniture from the tip. Thought provoking isn’t it?

Storeroom was joined by some new volunteers this month, who seem to enjoy the time they spend with us and together they helped out for over 900 invaluable hours.

If you’ve not visited our shop yet, please try to find time to pop in and see us soon. Next month we are losing a couple of volunteers, so if you think you may be able to help, please get in touch. Thank you everyone for your kind support.

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August 2011

This August we were delighted to receive many useful donations of furniture and household items. Even during a traditionally quiet month, when people are enjoying a break from their usual routine, Storeroom was kept busy!

The shop staff dealt with a large number of customers, many of whom came to Storeroom on recommendation from friends and family. It’s good to know you are all helping each other to find a bargain and /or make ends meet when funds are short. All in all, just over 900 items, large and small were purchased, which means you have together saved nearly 13,500kgs of household goods from the dreaded tip. Re-use is definitely the way forward to save our environment.

Let’s not forget the Storeroom volunteers, as between them they donated almost 750 hours of their time in order to keep this valuable island project up and running. Without them there would be no Storeroom.

Please continue to support Storeroom in any way you can, purchase, donate or volunteer. Thank you!

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July 2011

During July, the Isle of Wight community donated many useful items of furniture and household goods to Storeroom. Our referred customers once again had a marvelous selection to choose from and all those intrepid bargain hunters found ‘treasures’ too.

We recorded nearly 800 items purchased, which in turn saved these items from ending their days at the tip, all 12,250kgs of them. We can all be very proud of this achievement.

The volunteers, as ever, have been wonderful. They often help out with tasks they don’t enjoy, just to get the work done. Their invaluable donation to Storeroom was over 600 hours of their time during July.

Storeroom2010 is flourishing and despite the complete lack of funding WE ARE STILL HERE! Please support Storeroom in any way you can, purchase, donate or volunteer.

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June 2011

Once again our island community has given Storeroom the support needed to keep our doors open. Donated items have kept on coming and so have the customers! Referred clients have a good choice of items too and usually find just what they need.

This month we had a record number of purchases made – nearly 750 of them, which meant that just under 11,000kgs of household items didn’t end up in our island landfill. Thank you everyone.

Our volunteers came up trumps again too. They gave Storeroom nearly 500 hours of their time; without their selfless help, Storeroom could not function.

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May 2011

Despite all those bank holidays Storeroom had a very busy month with collecting your donations and making deliveries. You may have noticed our sign written van out and about on the island. All that recycling of unwanted furniture and household items does make a difference as you will see from our figures for the month.

Our customers purchased over 600 items, which saved over 9,500kgs from our island landfill. Your custom helps Storeroom to stay open and provide a service for the referred clients who benefit from lower prices. Storeroom still receives no funding and without your donations and custom, Storeroom would cease to exist.

During May our volunteers gave nearly 500 hours of their time to help out. Huge thanks to them all – again!

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April 2011

Storeroom had another busy month with a wonderful variety of items donated. Thank you to everyone who chose to recycle unwanted furniture and household items rather than taking them to the tip.

Our customers purchased nearly 600 items, which saved over 8,250kgs from landfill. This valued custom helped keep our doors open for the referred clients who benefit from lower prices, at a time when they most need help to furnish their homes.

Life is not getting any easier for some of our fellow islanders; we aim to keep our doors open for all. Thanks go again to our super band of volunteers who cheerfully gave over 500 hours of their time in order to look after the shop, help on the van, tidy the warehouse and generally keep things going!

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March 2011

Storeroom has yet again received a steady supply of donations from our Island Community; thereby providing a wide stock of furniture etc to choose from, for referred clients, bargain hunters and charity shop enthusiasts!

During March over 620 items were purchased, thus saving in excess of 10,500kgs from landfill.

Storeroom would not be able to open its doors without the many selfless volunteers who enable this project to keep going. During March the volunteers between them gave 528 hours of their time.

Thank you everyone for your support during these difficult financial times. Storeroom is still up and running despite losing funding last summer and hopes to be able to continue offering a service to all members of the island community.

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February 2011

During February our furniture stocks were boosted after a small article about Storeroom appeared in the County Press. Donations flooded in and we have been amazed, yet again, by the generosity of our island community.

February saw in excess of 8500 kgs of furniture and household items (approx 575 of them!) saved from landfill. Thank you to all who have made purchases from us.

During February our volunteers worked over 500 hours to help keep Storeroom open. They are all very much appreciated!

Thank you everyone for your continuing support for Storeroom.

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January 2011

Storeroom re-opened after the Christmas and New Year break on 10 January. Our lower than usual tonnage figures reflect the fact we were not trading our normal hours this month.

Once again we have received a wide variety of very useful donations of furniture and household items from our fellow islanders.

January saw nearly of 6500kgs of furniture and household items (approx 400 of them!) saved from landfill.

This month our volunteers worked nearly 250 hours to help keep Storeroom open. We appreciate them all and acknowledge that without their help Storeroom would have been forced to close its doors last summer.

Please continue to support Storeroom in 2011.

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December 2010

At the end of last June it was thought that Storeroom would close due to all funding being withdrawn and this valuable island service would be lost.

Well, we are STILL HERE! To all the generous islanders who have donated furniture, to the general public and referred clients who make purchases from us, MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL!

December saw in excess of 6600 kgs of furniture and household items (totaling nearly 400!) saved from landfill.

Our volunteers worked nearly 380 hours during the month to keep Storeroom open, without them this charity project would not still be here.

Due to the Christmas closure we were only trading for 17 days this month so not offering our usual opening hours. From 10^th January Storeroom will again be open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

Please continue to support Storeroom in 2011. We are led to believe many more people will be in need than ever before because of the current economic climate.

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November 2010

Once again our thanks go out to our island community who have donated so many items of furniture and household equipment this month. Without your help Storeroom would be unable to help the clients referred from over 30 agencies across our island.

In excess of 500 furniture and household items were sold to our customers, which meant that more than 10,000kgs has been saved from landfill this month.

Storeroom2010 could not operate without the volunteers who selflessly give their time every month. During November the volunteers worked 520 hours to keep Storeroom up and running!

Storeroom2010 does not benefit from any funding whatsoever.

Thank you everyone, for your continuing support.

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October 2010

Our thanks go out to our island community who have donated so generously again this month.

Over 360 furniture and household items were sold to our referred clients and general public. 30 agencies across the island are now referring their clients to Storeroom2010.

Over 7500kgs has been saved from landfill by our customers this month.

Storeroom2010 does not benefit from any funding whatsoever. We are kept going by the generosity and custom of our island community. However, Storeroom2010 could not operate without the volunteers who selflessly give their time every month. During October they worked nearly 350 hours to keep us up and running!

Thank you everyone.

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September 2010

During September 2010 our island community has donated a huge variety of furniture and household items. Thank you everyone!

Storeroom2010 sold approximately 300 furniture and household items to referred clients and other members of the general public.

The sold items amounted to over 7000kg that may otherwise have been sent to landfill.

This month our volunteers worked nearly 380 hours for Storeroom2010. Without their help we would not be able to operate, as funding is no longer available. Thank you to all our volunteers!

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August 2010

During August 2010 our island community continued to donate a variety of furniture and household items. Thank you everyone for your generosity.

Storeroom2010 sold approximately 212 furniture and household items to referred clients and other members of the general public.

The sold items amounted to just under 5000kg that may otherwise have been sent to landfill.

This month our volunteers worked nearly 400 hours for Storeroom2010. Thank you everyone!

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July 2010

Storeroom2010 sold approximately 250 items to referred clients and other members of the general public.

The sold items weighed in at just less than 6000kg that may otherwise have been sent to landfill.

Thank you to everyone who donated household items for your generosity!

Also a big THANK YOU to our volunteers who worked nearly 500 hours between them during the month.

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