Ryobi launch new community project for the people of High Wycombe

Ryobi has recently launched ‘Re-Build’ in High Wycombe, a new campaign supporting the rising number of people affected by the UK’s hidden housing crisis – substandard living conditions. Teaming up with Wycombe Wanderers star Adebayo Akinfenwa and High Wycombe charity Central Aid, Re-Build will source much needed furniture and household fittings to improve the lives of those that need them most. 

The nationwide housing shortage is a well-publicised problem and it's no secret that food banks are providing a vital lifeline for many people. But today there is an equally urgent issue in UK homes, which needs to be addressed. New research from Ryobi has found that the condition of housing is having a negative impact on family dynamics, social lives and personal wellbeing.

Currently, over a third of people in the UK (35%) admit they would be embarrassed if visitors were to see the current state of their home. But for a significant proportion of the population, dissatisfaction with living conditions goes beyond embarrassment. 20% report this as leading to a decline in their mental health.

Across the UK’s regions, this issue has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the South East, 38% have struggled financially during lockdown, and one in five have seen their home fall into disrepair as a result.

Ryobi’s Re-Build campaign

Ryobi’s Re-Build campaign was created to specifically tackle this problem. But coincidentally, it addresses another major issue in society – up and down the country, perfectly good furniture and household fittings are ending up in landfill. Almost a quarter of us admit to throwing away perfectly good items, which could have been used by someone else.
Re-Build reclaims these unwanted items of furniture and household fittings, refurbishes them using Ryobi’s DIY skills and tools, using Central Aid’s local network to redistribute them to those most in need.

Bill Neill, General Manager of Ryobi UK, said: “COVID-19 has been so difficult for everyone, but it’s a sad reality that some have had it tougher than others. In a period when many have suffered poor health, bereavement and job loss, we’ve also spent more time at home than ever before. Struggling in poor living conditions too can have an incredibly detrimental impact on overall quality of life.

Working with our partners at Central Aid, we hope to have a real impact on addressing this hidden crisis, which is a major issue in High Wycombe as it is across so much of the UK.”

Workshop & donation centre 

From today – Monday 21 June – the Re-Build campaign will open a workshop and donation centre where the Central Aid and Ryobi team will be hard at work sorting and refurbishing furniture and fittings for redistribution. Based in Central Aid’s furniture warehouse on West Richardson Street, High Wycombe, members of the public are encouraged to drop off any items they no longer want. Wycombe Wanderers striker Adebayo Akinfenwa will also be dropping-in to lend his support.
Stuart Allen, General Manager at Central Aid, commented: “Furniture poverty is a constant, and in many cases, hidden issue. We've been in High Wycombe since 1906 and we work tirelessly every day to support people who often find themselves in housing where they have almost no furniture whatsoeverl, but in all honesty, we can never do enough. I can’t encourage people enough not to throw out unwanted furniture as there are so many people who need exactly the type that so often gets discarded – we’re here every day to take it in and deliver it to those in need.
We’re delighted to be partnering with Ryobi on this campaign and hope to raise awareness of this issue, both in High Wycombe and beyond.”

For more information on the Re-Build campaign, click here.

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