As part of FRC Group you can be sure that in working with FRC Living, not only are you choosing a supplier with an excellent reputation and sustainable focus, but a company who has a mission to End Furniture Poverty. Items of furniture we remove when refurbishing are reused by those in need where possible and where not, 100% recycled.

Our Objectives are:

• To understand and highlight the reality of living in furniture poverty
• To lobby and campaign for the eradication of furniture poverty
• To develop and run successful social businesses that tackle furniture poverty.
• To train and develop people out of poverty and into sustainable, well-paid jobs and careers.
• To use our core skills to develop and run successful commercial businesses, using the profits to create social value across FRC Group.

Ending Furniture Poverty

Through our campaigning arm End Furniture Poverty, we are raising awareness of Furniture Poverty and the ways in which we physically get furniture into the homes of people who would otherwise be without the basic items they need.  We define furniture poverty as “the inability to afford or access basic furniture and furnishings, including domestic appliances that provide a household with a decent quality of life and the ability to participate in the norms of society. It is when someone does not have the furniture they need to lead a secure life.” We have carried out a social value measurement exercise, which enables us to measure and report on the social value created through this contract by the provision of furniture to people. Find out more on our End Furniture Poverty website.

People

FRC provides a stable working environment for our people.  We seek to employ local people where possible and have a fair and transparent approach to recruitment, training and management.  We want all of our colleagues to get the most out of work. The culture of the organisation is very important to us and we put a lot of effort into creating the right environment that brings positive benefits for everyone.

We are an organisation that offers practical support for local voluntary and community groups. We do this by allowing our Directors and Managers to volunteer for 3 days per year acting as consultants to help build the capacity and sustainability of this sector.  We also have a scheme that we call ‘Presence Presents’ where our staff can volunteer for local causes for one day per year and receive full pay.

Driving Change

Driving Change is our paid training programme which offers people an employment contract, and the opportunity to obtain a range of qualifications to prepare them for work in the logistics industry.

The Driving Change trainees work towards a number of transferable and industry specific qualifications, including a Car Licence and the Large Goods Vehicle Class 2 licence. During the Driving Change programme, trainees build up a record of work experience that they can demonstrate to future employers and crucially they build their confidence in the workplace.

Driving Change Trainees receive:

• Salaried position paying the market rate
• Real on the job training – trainees work everyday with real customers and take on real responsibility
• Transferrable skills and qualifications: First Aid, Health & Safety, Manual Handling, Environmental Awareness, Equal Opportunities, Job Search skills, Interview Skills training
• Industry specific training:
• For “Driver Trainees” who already have a car licence: Large Goods Vehicle Class II theory test, practical test, hazard perception test, tachograph training and drivers certificate of professional competence,
• For “Loader Trainees” who do not have a car licence: Car Driving theory test, practical test,
• For all trainees: Choice of specialist training – Fork Lift Truck licences in Counterbalance and Reach, HIAB (vehicle mounted loader crane) or ADR (transporting hazardous goods).