Thinking about our impact on Earth Day

Earlier this year L&Q partnered with Reuse Network, a group which supports reuse charities across the UK to help them alleviate poverty, reduce waste and tackle climate change.

Through this partnership, we donated 600 white good appliances (washing machines, microwave ovens, fridge freezers etc) which went to people in social housing across the country who couldn’t afford their own.

Pickups were coordinated by Reuse Network with charities in London, Newbury, South Wales and Milton Keynes.

As the cost of living crisis continues to unfold across the country, Reuse Network members have found themselves on the front lines of tackling this worsening crisis.

The charity reuse sector is facing unprecedented demand from households in the community who are in desperate need of furniture and electrical appliances.

When a low-income household washing machine breaks, the cost to replace it plus ongoing launderette fees puts more pressure on families who are already in difficult financial situations.

The donated items from L&Q helped support 284 households, saving them an estimate of £53, 250; and prevented 10,338 kgs of CO2 emissions, thus helping both people and the planet.

Hannah Jordan, Commercial Manager at Reuse Network said,

“This project would not have been possible without the support of Sarah-Jane Gwynn, Bobby Johnstone, and the team. The teams have consistently shown respect for the charities that attended the sites and demonstrated a true understanding of these reuse charities' impact on their local communities. The stories that have come from this project give a real picture of the depravation being faced in our communities and how these items have made a difference”

Vince Monaghan, Project Director at L&Q said,

“At L&Q, one of our core values is ‘Impact’, which means we measure what we do by the difference we make. This doesn’t just apply to building new homes, but also improving people’s homes and circumstances wherever we can. We were therefore proud and delighted to partner with Re-use Network, who share our values and our social mission and we are extremely pleased with the impact of the campaign.”

Community Furniture Project is a Reuse Network member based in Newbury.

The organisation promotes independent living by providing reused furniture and household goods, as well as creating opportunities for volunteering, training and work experience.

The Community Furniture Project received 36 high-quality washing machines through the project with L&Q.

A few examples of vulnerable people who have been supplied with washing machines include:

• A woman who had left her previous property due to an abusive relationship and had spent a period of time homeless. She had been provided with a property but had no savings with which to furnish it. The Community Furniture Store supplied a washing machine, as well as furniture and bedding.
• A young man suffering with severe depression and epilepsy who had been staying in his mother’s mobile home. When she passed away, he was not able to remain there as he is under 55. West Berkshire Council’s Homeless Team arranged a hotel until they could house him. When he was allocated a flat, the Community Furniture Store provided him with a washing machine as well as all the other essential items he needed.
• A man with MS who uses a wheelchair had been relying on his elderly mother to collect his washing and take it home to wash. She was finding it difficult to manage, so the Community Furniture Store were pleased to supply him with a washing machine.