Scarborough community group using furniture restoration to rebuild young people’s confidence awarded £285,000 of National Lottery funding

A Scarborough-based community project that runs workshops to upcycle donated furniture is celebrating after receiving over £285,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. The new funding will help to build the confidence of disadvantaged young people in the area.

Futureworks NY CIC is one of over 230 organisations in Yorkshire & Humber, doing vital work with communities, to receive a share of over £9.8 million in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.*

Available to disadvantaged young people aged over 16, as well as unemployed adults, the Furniture Works project will see those involved restore old furniture as a tool to build skills and confidence to help them towards meaningful employment. The funding will help the organisation provide support and guidance to those who need it most, to reduce poor mental health and isolation in the area.

The restoration workshops aim to not only increase the well-being and confidence of local people, but the finished product is also positive for the planet. Upcycling and repairing have grown increasingly popular in today’s eco-conscious world, and in a cost-of-living crisis, Furniture Works provides a cost-effective solution to a throw away culture by creating new products out of old materials.

One young person who has benefitted from the project said: “I realised that I wasn't cut out for the academic side of study, and I was a more hands on, practical minded person who wanted to utilise my hands and work with a variety of tools. It was hard for me to find what was out there as I was only one person and felt like I didn't have the right experience or qualifications to get attention from any employer. This at the back of my mind caused me to worry, a lot.

“This all changed when a friend told me about Futureworks. He told me that he had been there before, the staff there were great, and they were willing to help people like me looking for a practical career.

“My mentor connected me with Furniture Works, to take part in their workshop and gain practical skills using tools appropriately, learning new techniques and giving me good work experience whilst I looked for an apprenticeship into the trade.

“Thanks to the support of members of staff and tradesmen Ben, Jamie and David, I created a bedside table from pine scaffolding board which made it onto the shop floor. They showed me the proper measuring techniques and tools required to get it done as smoothly as possible, but also entrusted me with using new tools and gain confidence using them.”

Michelle Padron-Kitching, Director of Futureworks NY CIC, said: “This funding is so important right now for us, as an organisation that provides support to local people in need, at a time that is fraught with uncertainty and high anxiety. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are able to continue this much needed project that provides valuable support to the local community, building skills and wellbeing.”

Joe Dobson, Head of Regional Funding for Yorkshire & Humber at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players and the hard work and dedication of local projects like Futureworks NY CIC, this funding will make a big difference to young people’s lives in Scarborough, and surrounding areas. We’re delighted that our funding is being used to strengthen communities and provide people with the tools and support they need to prosper and thrive.”

Yorkshire & Humber isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that over £100 million has been awarded to nearly 2,500 projects in England in the past three months.*

National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week across the UK for good causes. The National Lottery Community Fund as a distributor ensures a share of this funding goes straight to communities, helping them to tackle important issues such as supporting young people into employment, mental health and climate action.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk