SATCoL and KFR repurpose carpets for those in need

Wiltshire council has allocated a proportion of the Household Support Fund from the Department for work and pensions to KFR, via the Wiltshire Community Foundation, for a scheme to acquire repurposed carpet tiles, sourced from SATCoL, under its Flooring Reuse Programme.

The provision of the carpet tiles sits alongside KFR’s existing Crisis Provision offer to provide those in need with essential refurbished white goods and furniture.

SATCoL said it is standard practice across social housing for properties to be allocated unfurnished and without flooring. Many new tenants can afford new flooring, but for some, this isn’t the case, particularly those fleeing domestic abuse, on low incomes, moving into their first home due to homelessness or leaving care.

Carpet acts as a form of insulation to help reduce energy bills, noise and improves comfort for households.

Community

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for public health, said: “Local organisations told us that many residents moving into social housing struggled to afford flooring. I am very pleased that by working with KFR we can assist some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

“Through our relationships with third party organisations and allocating them money from the Household Support Fund Round 4, we have extended our ability to reach those most in need across Wiltshire. This sustainable scheme with KFR and the Salvation Army Trading Company is just one example of around 70 schemes running until the end of March 2024.”

Dan Thompson, general manager of KFR, said “We are delighted to partner with SATCoL to offer high quality carpet tiles to customers via our Crisis Provision Scheme funded by HSF4.

“We also plan to continue the scheme, once HSF funding closes, by offering a percentage of the carpet tile stock, alongside refurbished furniture and white goods, at affordable prices to paying customers from our premises in Devizes. This will help us continue our Crisis Provision as long as it is needed.”

A shared vision

Richard Shea, service development manager, SATCoL said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Wiltshire council and KFR who share our vision and commitment to helping the most vulnerable in the community.

“Our Flooring Reuse Programme will give those referred by the Household Support Fund access to good quality repurposed flooring, making their homes warmer and more comfortable whilst, helping to sustain our planet.”

Each year, SATCoL is said to divert over 250 million items to good uses, including over 65,000 tonnes of textiles – including carpet tiles from corporate properties, that would be destroyed if not repurposed.