Last year we updated you on our very own rising star, Ant, who first came to the Furniture Project after being referred to us by Tomorrow’s People. Volunteering 3 days a week, Ant found engaging with us helped to boost his confidence and improve his work skills. With our help, he eventually went on to gain a placement on the competitive Pret Foundation Rising Star Programme, a 3 month apprenticeship which supports people to gain valuable work experience and training.

After a period of volunteering with us again after finishing his placement, Ant has secured a role at Marks and Spencer’s as a Warehouse Operations Assistant. He is being trained in a number of skills including operating the cardboard baler, using a pump truck and operating the scissor lifts.

“I really enjoy this kind of work and am feeling much more confident and better about myself in general. Despite the night shifts, working on Sunday’s, as well as shifts on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, I still smile when I go to work every day”.

Between 2017-18, 3.6% of the Bath adult population, or 3,600 people, were recorded as unemployed. 12.5%, or 7,000 households in Bath were workless, and people aged 16-25 constituted the highest number of benefit claimants.

Coming back to volunteer at the Furniture Project made a huge difference in helping Ant find his feet in the working world – “I would strongly recommend volunteering at the Furniture Project as a good starting point from which to build or re-build your life in a positive way.”

For more information about our training and work opportunities within the Furniture Project, please contact Anthony, Furniture Project Manager.

To get involved you can also donate furniture or visit our shop, whilst funding our work supporting homeless and vulnerable people in Bath.