CRNS Reuse Consortium scoops two recognition awards in a week.

The CRNS Reuse Consortium has been recognised twice in the same week for the innovative work it does in providing local authorities with reuse items of furniture and other household items instead of new.

The Reuse Consortium was one of 15 winners from right across the UK in the CIWM Sustainability and Resource Awards last week, receiving the Award for Demonstrating Project Innovation. The Reuse Consortium then scooped the Buy Social Award at the Scottish Social Enterprise Awards and it has been short listed in the UK Social Enterprise Awards, the winners of which will be announced on Thursday 23 November in London.

Consisting of 17 furniture reuse organisations, the Reuse Consortium, created by CRNS, the first consortium of its kind in Scotland, changes the way people in need are given access to furniture. Since April 2013, all 32 local authorities in Scotland have provided Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants through the Scottish Welfare Fund to people on low incomes who need support to establish or remain in their homes in their communities. Scottish Welfare Fund customers can be provided with the main household essentials, which traditionally have been supplied new. However, with the introduction of an alternative option via the CRNS Reuse Consortium, local authorities can now provide reuse items to customers

The benefits of utilising the CRNS Reuse Consortium to provide quality reuse furniture to families and individuals in need from a local authority’s perspective are significant:

• In a time of financial constraint, budgets can potentially be stretched to support more people in need
• Local authority budgets are spent in the local social enterprise organisation providing the reuse furniture, contributing to their financial viability which allows them to continue to provide opportunities for employment and volunteering to those who are furthest removed from the job market
• Items are diverted from landfill resulting in a more circular approach to the local economy.

Alison Brown, who co-ordinates the Reuse Consortium said “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised twice in one week for the impact and progress made by the consortium in such a short period of time. We feel that we’ve strengthened the social enterprise and reuse brands across the UK and we’re proof that a collaboration of third sector organisations can deliver on a public sector contract”.

For further information please contact Alison Brown, Reuse Co-ordinator, 01786 469002, reuseconsortium@crns.org.uk.