Over 5.5 tonnes of preloved furniture was given away to families in South Liverpool at Free for All, a family day organised by Liverpool City Council’s Neighbourhoods Team and Bulky Bob’s.
The event, held at Bridge Chapel Centre in Garston, was aimed at helping low income families and included advice and support from a range of housing and health providers, as well as Community Police and Liverpool Direct.
Six local ward councillors helped fund the event from their Neighbourhood Funds, with additional support from Liverpool Mutual Homes and South Liverpool Housing.
Despite a few showers, children enjoyed face painting and football, as well as Jumping Jacks for the little ones, with a free barbecue and a band providing more grown up entertainment later in the day.
Councillor Steve Munby, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “We’ve held very successful Free for Alls in North Liverpool and we wanted to give communities in South Liverpool the opportunity get hold of some much needed free furniture, access to advice and a great family day out. I’m pleased to hear that 65 families now have an item of furniture, new to them, in their homes after the event.”
All the furniture given away was collected as part of Bulky Bob’s bulky household waste collection service, which they deliver for Liverpool City Council. Bulky Bob’s is part of FRC Group, a charity formed in 1988 aimed at helping low income families get hold of furniture and provide training opportunities for long-term unemployed people. The furniture usually goes to Bulky Bob’s Furniture World, the shop on London Road where it is sold at very low prices or given away to those in crisis.
Helen White, Operations Manager at Bulky Bob’s, explained: “The Free for All events are a fantastic example of the City Council, Bulky Bob’s and a wide range of partners working together to help low income families to get support and help. The team at Bridge Chapel also helped to make the day a big success so a big thanks to them. We offered free delivery as well and the majority of items went to families in Speke/Garston and Toxteth, our target areas for the day.”
If you would like to see the furniture Bulky Bob’s has to offer, visit our shop on London Road or go to www.bulkybobs.co.uk