Furniture Workshops Renew Social Fabric

Furniture Workshops Renew Social Fabric

Young and long-term unemployed people in Redfern and Waterloo are turning trash into treasure, thanks to a TAFE NSW Outreach program that shows them how to salvage and sell old and broken furniture.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said a partnership between the City of Sydney, TAFE NSW Outreach program and the Bower Reuse & Repair Centre at Marrickville has already seen 17 graduates aged between 20 and 70 restore 30 items of furniture.

'Opportunities like this can help rebuild people's confidence, provide them with new skills and help them move into a job," the Lord Mayor said.

'On top of that, their hands-on and creative work recycles discarded furniture which would otherwise end up as rubbish."

The students from Randwick, Redfern, Marrickville and Blacktown took part in the 18-week TAFE NSW Outreach course at 107 Redfern Street – a building reactivated through the City's Sustainable Sydney 2030 program and Accommodation Grants program.

Fiona Arnold, 53, of Petersham, had been out of work for almost 12 months when she signed up, and now has a part-time job selling restored furniture.

'What this program has done for me is immeasurable. It's given me back my self-esteem and got me out into the world. I've always had a passion for recycling, but it was just a hobby and I'd never been taught properly. I've finally found a home and a job I absolutely love," Ms Arnold said.

'This project has brought together a whole lot of people who -didn't really belong anywhere' and we've developed great friendships, confidence and a new support network."

TAFE NSW PLACE project coordinator Amanda Buckland said having a local, creative space to run programs from made all the difference for her students.

'The students learn new skills, engage with their local community and see their efforts benefitting others. Students leave this course with a new enthusiasm and passion to be more involved in the environment, arts and community.

'Their new skills and confidence has led to the group to form a social enterprise, -Curb (sic) Collective', to continue to upcycle, restore and sell their creations beyond the course, and are looking for longer-term support.

'We've had a mum with two kids finish the course, then set up her own business restoring furniture from home.," Maaike Pullar, the Bower's general manager, said.


'The success stories are so encouraging, but more importantly, we're inspiring these students back into the community and actively encouraging a repair culture to turn the battered and bruised into something classic or chic.

'Sometimes it's as simple as fixing a hinge or setting straight a wonky leg, but some of the craftsmanship, artistic talent and re-invention design ideas these students have shown is incredibly impressive. They're helping to extend the life of furniture and help it find a new home."