The ReUsers Turns Ten!!!
This month, our ReUsers social enterprise is celebrating it’s tenth birthday!
This month, our ReUsers social enterprise is celebrating it’s tenth birthday!
A massive thank you to all our customers and supporters for ten incredible years. Thanks to you, we've grown from one room with a couple of staff to the large scale operation we run now.
In total, we have diverted over 1.3 million kgs of reusable items from landfill. This has enabled us to support over 130 people who faced real and significant challenges in getting a job such as trauma, insufficient work experience, health & wellbeing needs, education barriers and communication challenges. This number includes 16 survivors of modern slavery and over 80 apprentices. We are proud to have played a part in their journey towards sustainable employment.
Keep an eye on The ReUsers FB page as we re-live some of our favourite stories, memories and donations, look back over our history and hear from our staff and beneficiaries.
Another Award Nomination!
We are delighted to have been nominated for another award. This time in the Community Excellence category at The Signature Awards
We are delighted to have been nominated for another award. This time in the Community Excellence category at The Signature Awards on 10th Feb.
Well done to our team for all their hard work.
Three Boeing 737’s diverted from landfill!
In 2022, our ReUsers social enterprise diverted over 139,000 kgs of reusable items from landfill. That’s more than three Boeing 737s!
In 2022, our ReUsers social enterprise diverted over 139,000 kgs of reusable items from landfill. That’s more than three Boeing 737s!
The money from these items allowed them to support 32 people who faced real and significant challenges in getting a job, including young people and survivors of modern slavery.
Thanks to everyone for your support. Your contribution has helped to change lives.
About The ReUsers
The ReUsers is a charity department store that rescues and recycles second hand items
TThey prevent around 250 tonnes of waste entering landfill every year by providing high quality used goods at cost effective prices.
The money generated from selling these items allows us to support people who face real and significant challenges in getting a job.
Merry Christmas
JERICHO and our social enterprises wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!
JERICHO and our social enterprises wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!
We are closing today and will re-open on Tuesday 3rd Jan with the exception of The ReUsers who are back a day earlier at 10am on Monday 2nd.
A massive thank you to everyone who has supported, partnered, funded and bought from us this year. Together we have helped 137 people who faced real and significant challenges in getting a job, including young people and survivors of modern slavery.
See you in 2023!
Small Business of the Year Nomination
We are delighted that our ReUsers & The Wood Shack social enterprises have been shortlisted for the Sutton Coldfield Small Business of the Year Award
We are delighted that our ReUsers & The Wood Shack social enterprises, have been shortlisted for the Sutton Coldfield Small Business of the Year at the upcoming Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards.
The awards will take place on 3rd Feb at Drayton Manor Hotel.
From Beneficiary to Trustee
James Crystal has recently joined our board of trustees. Here’s his story from beneficiary to trustee
James Crystal is a social entrepreneur whose lived experience and subsequent life transformation has provided him with a platform allowing him to use his past to help the future of others.
A few months ago he joined our board of trustees. Here’s his story from beneficiary to trustee:
“7 years ago when I was in a rehab centre shortly after being released from prison I was helped by JERICHO when they gave me an opportunity to gain some work experience to add to my blank CV. Due to my own complex issues at the time, I only lasted two days, but nonetheless JERICHO was prepared to invest in me, and had hope for me when I was in in a hopeless state.
Now I have found real hope, stability, consistency, and healing, I have been blessed with opportunities to use my darkness from yesterday to make other people's tomorrow brighter.
This is why when I was approached to consider applying to become a trustee of JERICHO I welcomed the opportunity.
Established in 1993 (the year I was born!), JERICHO provides people with work and training in their social businesses and supports via multiple social projects.
Their model is simple, but brilliant, they provide supported employment opportunities in businesses which offer great value goods and services to the local community.
I was talking to one of the managers a couple of weeks ago and he was telling me how he always aims to "surprise people with kindness", a phrase that represents JERICHO very well, and also made me consider my own life and how I can do the same.
JERICHO are breaking barriers, and changing lives and it is an absolute honour to have the opportunity to support them, in a very small way, carry out the phenomenonal, life changing work they are absolutely devoted to.”
Christmas Jumper Competition
The ReUsers is running a Christmas competition where we are asking you to design a festive jumper to go on display in our new Children’s Room.
This year, The ReUsers is running a Christmas competition where we are asking you to design a festive jumper to go on display in our new Children’s Room.
The competition is running between 13th and 30th Nov with all entries going into a draw to win a £50 ReUsers voucher. One lucky winner will be drawn at random and announced on The ReUsers Facebook on 1st December so make sure you are following our page to see if you win.
How to Enter
Download your jumper below, design and colour it in and return it to one of our till points by 1st December for your chance to win. You can also pick up your jumper in-store.
Shoosmiths Foundation donates £49,690 to JERICHO
Law firm Shoosmiths have donated £49,690 to support JERICHO Jump Start which aims to underpin and extend our work.
Law firm Shoosmiths have donated £49,690 from their Shoosmiths Foundation to support JERICHO Jump Start which aims to underpin and extend our work with school pupils at risk of exclusion, young people not in education, and people with lived experience of trauma, abuse, modern slavery, health and wellbeing issues, the care system or criminal justice system, addiction or homelessness.
JERICHO Jump Start will see 75% of the 40 people engaged in the project enter sustainable employment, with the remaining 25% achieving their most appropriate positive destination.
Katie Webb, deputy CEO at JERICHO, said: “We are hugely grateful to Shoosmiths for being willing to help us further develop our work with people who face real and significant challenges in accessing the job market. We will use the funding from the Shoosmiths Foundation to provide additional, social mobility-focused support on top of the work and training opportunities we currently provide for 12 months and this extra support will help our beneficiaries achieve longer-term work and life goals and so ultimately have the very best chance of a fulfilled, happy life.
“Birmingham has long had an issue with high unemployment and holds the unwelcome top-spot amongst core cities in England for both youth and adult unemployment, even in the midst of a buoyant job market. JERICHO Jump Start, in partnership with the Shoosmiths Foundation, will ensure that local people with complex barriers are in the best position possible to take advantage of the mainstream job opportunities that exist locally and that they are also able to create a pathway to longer-term fulfillment in work and life. We are very excited at the prospect of developing a partnership with Shoosmiths and look forward to jointly delivering our social mobility goals.”
Nicola Ellen, head of corporate responsibility and chair of the Shoosmiths Foundation Grants Committee, added: “We are delighted to be able to provide support for JERICHO and the incredible work they do for people seeking employment, particularly as their cause aligns perfectly with the firm’s own social mobility aims. Whilst the project is focused on the Birmingham area, as a multi-location firm we will be looking for additional in-kind virtual opportunities whereby colleagues can become involved no matter where they are based.”
Further information about the Shoosmiths Foundation can be found here.
The ReUsers Children’s Room
The ReUsers has opened a new permanent Children’s Room full of toys and games.
Opening on the same day as the ReUsers Christmas pop up shop is the new permanent Children’s Room.
Full of toys and games it is the perfect place to get items to keep your children entertained this half term.
About The ReUsers
The ReUsers is a large charity shop near Birmingham that rescues, restores and recycles second hand items.
Their ethos is that “second hand can be first choice” and they prevent around 250 tonnes of waste entering landfill every year by providing high quality used goods at cost effective prices.
ReUsers Christmas Shop Open
The ReUsers has opened it’s Christmas Pop Up Shop full of trees, decorations, games, lights, ornaments, gift sets and much more.
The ReUsers annual pop up Christmas shop opened earlier today. The tinsel was cut at 10am by The ReUsers very own Mrs Claus, Gina, the mastermind behind the shop each year.
It is full of trees, decorations, games, lights, ornaments, gift sets and much more.
About The ReUsers
The ReUsers is a large charity shop near Birmingham that rescues, restores and recycles second hand items.
Their ethos is that “second hand can be first choice” and they prevent around 250 tonnes of waste entering landfill every year by providing high quality used goods at cost effective prices.
The ReUsers Opens Pop Up Halloween Shop
Our ReUsers social enterprise has opened their pop up Halloween shop full of costumes, props and other spooky items.
Our ReUsers social enterprise has opened their pop up Halloween shop full of costumes, props and other spooky items. For the next two months, and while stock lasts, it will form one of departments in the ReUsers Sutton Coldfield store.
The 15,198. sq. foot site already has areas including antiques, bikes, electricals, furniture, garden, clothes and sports making it the perfect place to find hidden treasures that others don’t want but are too good to throw away. In addition, each year they open pop up shops such as the highly anticipated Christmas shop full of pre-loved trees, decorations, wreaths, ornaments, clothes, CDs, books and much more.
About The ReUsers
The ReUsers is a large charity shop near Birmingham that rescues, restores and recycles second hand items.
Their ethos is that “second hand can be first choice” and they prevent around 250 tonnes of waste entering landfill every year by providing high quality used goods at cost effective prices.
Apprenticeship Open Day
We are holding an apprenticeship open day on Wed 31st August from 11am to 3pm at our ReUsers & Wood Shack social enterprises in Sutton Coldfield.
We are holding an apprenticeship open day on Wed 31st August from 11am to 3pm at our ReUsers & Wood Shack social enterprises in Sutton Coldfield.
If you are thinking about an apprenticeship, or are unsure what to do next, and you live in Sutton Coldfield, join us to have a tour of the site, meet the team, ask questions and complete an application form. No appointment is necessary - just turn up!
JERICHO Apprenticeship Checklist
Equiano Wellbeing & Social Activities
We have built lots of activities into our Equiano project, from day trips and social activities to creative arts therapy and wellbeing.
JERICHO exists to help people towards fulfilment in life and work. Our work opportunities are an important part of that journey but fulfilment in life means so much more. Those participating in our Equiano project have been victims of exploitation, they are often fearful of others, may have limited experience of life in the UK, are often isolated and overcoming trauma, and may simply be adjusting to the freedom of being able to make their own choices.
We have built lots of activities into our Equiano project, from day trips and social activities to creative arts therapy and wellbeing. This offers opportunity for participants to form friendships in a safe space, to have new experiences, grow in confidence and begin to focus on themselves.
We try to involve our clients in planning activities, including a recent trip to the beach at Barry Island! Many had never been to the seaside in England, and one of the women had never even seen hills here.
“My stress felt heavy but today that is lifted and I feel free, this is so so good”
“(The activity) relax my mind and I feel more confident”
The Wood Shack Gets Creative for the Commonwealth Games
The Wood Shack has been busy building for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Welcome to Smithfield
As Birmingham 2022 spectators enter Smithfield, to watch the 3x3 basketball or beach volleyball this week, they will walk past some cladded pillars.
These wooden panels have been created by our Wood Shack social enterprise from the reclaimed timber they collect from construction and manufacturing sites who have no more use for them. In total, 2,500 metres of pallet wood and nearly 8,000 screws were used to make and fit the panels together!
It was a brilliant project to work on and involved all the team, including apprentices, survivors of modern slavery, managers and even the drivers coming together to cut down the and make the panels.
Re-Cycling
Our Wood Shack Assistant Manager Mick has also been busy designing and building chairs for the cycling time trial that is taking place in West Park, Wolverhampton on 4th August. During the event, the chairs will be occupied by the cyclists sitting in the gold, silver and bronze medal positions.
They are built from reclaimed wood, with the back rests made from oak flooring, parquet flooring, ply, pine floorboard, buffalo board and even a piece from a bed!
A big thanks to Lynne and her group from the Up Collective for upholstering the cushions.
About The Wood Shack
The Wood Shack collects waste wood to prevent it going to landfill and sells it in their Timber Yard in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
As a JERICHO social enterprise, they help people who face real and significant challenges in getting a job. These could include trauma, insufficient work experience, health & wellbeing needs, education barriers and communication challenges.
JERICHO’s Baton Bearers
Three of our beneficiaries took part in the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay. Take a look at their stories…
The 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay started in London on 7th October 2021 and it travelled across the Commonwealth visiting 72 nations and territories on a route spanning 2,500 miles.
The final week saw the baton in the West Midlands, and thanks to nominations from GL Events, three of our beneficiaries were lucky enough to be part of it.
Meet our Baton Bearers:
Anthony Hibbard
ReUsers Apprentice
“I think carrying the Queen’s Baton made me feel really proud as I was able to represent the autism Commonwealth community and the disabled community. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved.”
Eathan Robinson
Miracle Laundry Apprentice
“When I heard about being a Batonbearer I was happy as I do have a connection with sport, and I’m always up for trying things. I think the Queen’s Baton Relay has been an interesting opportunity and of course, an enjoyable experience!”
Touran Saheghi
ChangeKitchen Volunteer
“I am proud to be involved as a Batonbearer in the Queen’s Baton Relay. It is an event to bring people together when that hasn’t been possible for such a long time due to the pandemic. I am honoured to have carried the Queen’s Baton and this is something that I will remember for a very long time!”
The ReUsers Opens a New Department
Our ReUsers social enterprise has opened a new sports and leisure department, home to a wide range of gym equipment, camping and fishing stock and our renovated bikes.
Our ReUsers social enterprise has opened a new sports & leisure department, home to a wide range of gym equipment, camping and fishing stock and our renovated bikes all of which have been serviced by onsite cytech bike mechanic, Billy.
The new department is located in the main unit to the left of the car park and alongside our clothing department, that opened in 2020, completes the upstairs of the building.
The ReUsers, one of JERICHO’s seven social enterprises, is a large charity shop in Sutton Coldfield that rescues, restores and recycles second hand items. It prevents around 250 tonnes of waste entering landfill every year by providing high quality used goods at cost effective prices.
Thank You to Our Funders
Over the last few weeks we have been delighted to receive some funding.
Over the last few weeks we have been delighted to receive the following grants:
£5,000 from The Rowlands Trust towards PPE / workwear / course materials for our beneficiaries
£2,000 from The Michael Marsh Charitable Trust towards the support costs of our Apprenticeship project
£2,000 from The George Henry Collins Charity towards our work with Survivors of Modern Slavery
A massive thank you for your support.
JERICHO’s Carbon Reduction Plan
This month, some of our senior managers attended a workshop led by Phil Beardmore from Energy Confidence to kick off a 2 year project to review, develop and implement JERICHO’s new carbon reduction plan
This month, some of our senior managers attended a workshop led by Phil Beardmore from Energy Confidence to kick off a 2 year project to review, develop and implement JERICHO’s new carbon reduction plan.
We looked at existing scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, as well defining success factors and potential barriers to change.
We also enjoyed a very tasty vegetarian lunch made entirely from surplus food by ChangeKitchen.
Key an eye out for more updates on our carbon reduction plan.
Phil Beardmore from Energy Confidence
Happy Christmas from JERICHO
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at JERICHO
In a year of challenge and uncertainty we have been extremely grateful for the commitment our supporters have shown us, from customers in our social enterprises to funders of our social projects and everyone in between.
Our dedicated staff and supporters have helped us thrive in an unprecedented period and we feel as confident as possible that this will continue into whatever 2022 brings our way.
Christmas Opening Hours
Head Office
Closes on Fri 24th Dec and re-opens on Tue 4th Jan
Miracle Laundry
Thu 23rd: 9am-5pm
Fri 24th - Tue 28th: Closed
Wed 29th: 9am-4pm
Thu 30th: 9am-4pm
Fri 31st - Mon 3rd: Closed
Tue 4th: 8:30am-5pm
The ReUsers
Closes at 2pm on Thu 23rd Dec and re-opens at 10am on Mon 3rd Jan.
The Wood Shack
Closes at 2pm on Thu 23rd Dec and re-opens at 9am on Tue 4th Jan
Have you met Tina?
Tina Williams joined our Cleaning Social Enterprise as Operations Manager earlier this year.
Tina has worked in the cleaning industry for many years, starting as a cleaner and working up to become a supervisor and then a site manager.
She has trained as a cleaning and customer service assessor and an internal verifier working alongside some prestigious clients.
After a spell as a deputy manager in a residential home, Tina has returned to cleaning with JERICHO.
The ReUsers
This year we made a number of changes to our ReUsers site including opening a designated clothing space upstairs in the main unit.
From the end of Jan 2022, we aim to open The ReUsers until 4.30pm EVERYDAY including Sundays.
Follow our Facebook page for updates.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at JERICHO
Apprenticeship Open Days
We are holding a number of open days in October for young people to find out what it’s like to do an apprenticeship in a JERICHO social enterprise.
We are holding a number of open days in October for young people to find out what it’s like to do an apprenticeship in a JERICHO social enterprise.
If you’re aged 16-24 and live in Sutton Coldfield, join us at The ReUsers on any of the below dates to have a tour of the site, meet the team, ask questions and complete an application form. No appointment necessary - just turn up!
Wed 6th Oct - 12.30 - 2.30pm
Tue 12th Oct - 11am - 1pm
Thu 21st Oct - 11am - 1pm
Fri 29th Oct - 12.30 - 2.30pm