Forum Topic

Advice needed re sofa please

Hello all, I am looking for advice please. I have a sofa that I need removing and unfortunately due to health reasons I can’t do this myself.Does anyone know of any organisations that can help ideally recycled or revamped and free to a good home. It does have damage by my cat but it’s a good quality grey velvet sofa.Any advice would be much appreciated thank you.

Dionne Monarch ● 18d10 Comments

There has been a charity unit doing furniture recycling (though I found them difficult to reach during the 6 years I was leading on recycling)  https://hounslowct.org.uk/furniture-recycling/I heard they had discontinued this service but it still shows on their website.

Guy Lambert ● 9d

Thanks Philippa.  Will take a look.

Sarah Felstead ● 10d

Sarah - don't know about that - would that be to do with Trinity Hospice?) but Petit Miracles in Shepherds Bush (who incidentally I believe WLWA also work with) will collect small pieces for mending and upcycling and they teach people needing skills how to do this. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/petit-miracles-4161831307It's difficult to find your way around their website (well I find it difficult!).  I wish they did sofas but don't think they do! I thought there was somewhere local in Brentford too or maybe it was just that they sell or sold upcycled furniture?  If you found a piece that you wanted to get upcycled/revamped for yourself where would you go?

Philippa Bond ● 11d

On the same theme, we have an old wooden pedestal desk which needs some small woodworking and varnishing.  It is otherwise sound and very lovely.  The sort of desk that used to be in the solicitors office.There used to be a furniture restoration place for training ex offenders somewhere around Brentford/Chiswick borders.  Does anyone know if they are still around?  Thanks

Sarah Felstead ● 11d

https://westlondonwaste.gov.uk/

Philippa Bond ● 12d

Thank you to the  members offering great advice. Sorry I don’t know how to thank people directly.If anyone knows of any one in need of a sofa that needs some tlc and they can collect it with help please send them my way and it’s all yours for free! U I rd a 2 seat 190 grey velvet

Dionne Monarch ● 12d

The BHS stipulate the need for the fire labels in their blurb.They had a lot of furniture (including white goods) and sofas at their shop in West Ealing last time I was down there looking for somewhere to take a wardrobe.I used to know a couple of places that recovered sofas which meant that they would have the fire retardancy necessary but that was before Covid when a lot of people moved and shops closed and didn't reopen.There is the Princess Alice Hospice who also collect if something is suitable:https://www.pah.org.uk/how-you-can-help/visit-our-shops/

Philippa Bond ● 12d

Presumably ideally people will get more things like sofas revamped so that they then have some fire protection in line with current standards.  It is easier to deal with the smaller things which are easier to transport and store..Ideally when buying arrange for whatever you are replacing to be collected by the company from whom you have bought the new one.

Philippa Bond ● 13d

From our experience, the British Heart Foundation are rather picky about what they will and won't take. I guess that's understandable from their point of view, as they need to make some money from selling things.  That still leaves a lot of stuff ending up being dumped that would probably be useful for someone.

Peter Evans ● 15d

Fire labels are very important nowadays.The British Heart Foundation is one option as they collect but items needs to be of saleable standard.  You can phone them to find out more as well as read the info on their website:https://www.bhf.org.uk/shop/donating-goods/book-furniture-collection-near-meYour item may be too big for Petit Miracles in Hammersmith/Shepherds Bush who upcycle furniture whilst teaching people how to mend/restore it and how to use tools:https://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=30000https://onin.london/creative-london-petit-miracles/https://www.petitmiracles.org.uk/shop/I think Trinity Hospice also used to do this and there used to be a list of such places on the West London Waste Authority website (our Waste Authority).Trinity also used to collect furniture and teach people how to mend and refurbish it.  This sort of info changes all the time though.https://www.wearetrinity.org.uk/furniture/Our Waste Authority - the West London Waste Authority - have a list of menders and fixers etc.https://westlondonwaste.gov.uk/

Philippa Bond ● 18d