Posted on the 10th May 2019
Every year, we celebrate the achievements of our sector with a fantastic Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, held at our annual conference.
This year was no exception, and we had some inspiring nominees up for prizes in three categories: Reuse Organisation of the Year, Innovative Project of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
The awards were kindly sponsored by DHL, and presented by Amie Perrins, Account Manager, from DHL, and Reuse Network’s very own Craig Anderson.
Reuse Organisation of the Year
Decided on a public vote, the award this year went to Kennet Furniture Refurbiz (KFR), a fantastic charity in Devizes. Last year KFR saved over 200 tonnes of product from landfill, selling over 4,000 items of furniture and refurbishing over 1,000 white goods. Their special discounted green price, which can be accessed by anyone on a means-tested benefit, ensures their products are available to the very poorest in society.
In the past two years they have more than doubled in size, and last year, seven volunteers went on to find full-time work. In June 2018, alarmed at the number of calls from local charities asking for free provision of white goods, they set up a dedicated white goods provision fund. Working in partnership with over 30 organisations and Wiltshire Council, they have raised £12,000 and helped over 70 families providing 130 white good items for free.
A worthy winner!
Dan and Juliet from KFR celebrate winning Reuse Organisation of the Year 2019!
Short-listed for this award were:
Innovative Project of the Year
We have some incredibly talented people in our network, working hard and using their expertise to solve some of the key issues being faced by our sector.
Our winner this year is St Oswald’s Hospice, up in Newcastle. Their ‘Shop Takeover Scheme’ started as a one-off corporate enterprise challenge, which asked teams of employees from the same company to ‘take-over’ stores and compete against each other to raise the most money. The St Oswald’s team have worked incredibly hard to expand this to become a bespoke team-building offering which attracts corporate partners.
The scheme has strengthened St Oswald’s network with several multi-national businesses, increased profit and footfall to the participating stores – raising over £22,500! – and has driven incredible awareness across press and social media, reaching over 12,000 people.
A fantastic project and well-deserved win!
Jill from St Oswald's Hospice celebrating their win!
Shortlisted for this award were:
Volunteer of the Year
Without volunteers, the reuse sector simply would not function: they do an outstanding job, and aren’t recognised enough. This is our chance to rectify some of that!
Our winner this year is Eddie Martin, nominated by SLATE Leeds. Eddie travels an hour each way, six days a week, to volunteer at SLATE and St Vincent Leeds. Always full of good ideas, he is one of the longest serving members of the team. He is excellent at sales, keeping his eye on targets and advising customers about stock. His pioneering work has increased the skills and confidence of the volunteer team and has meant the new till system has been a great success. He represents volunteers and people with learning difficulties at a regional level, and day-by-day is changing how people with learning difficulties are viewed in the workplace.
Huge congratulations to Eddie!
Eddie from SLATE with his trophy and prize!
Also shortlisted for this award was:
The Reuse Network Board of Trustees would like to announce that Craig Anderson will be stepping down from his role as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect and leaving the organisation to explore new ventures.
Thursday 14th May 2026
More than 1,900 families are better off this Earth Day, saving a combined £370,000 thanks to a partnership that is turning the UK's e-waste problem into a lifeline for households in need.
Wednesday 22nd April 2026
