NEEDY families are being given a helping hand by housing officials.
A new electrical recycling scheme aimed at helping people get started in their new homes has been launched by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.
The company, which manages council housing in Kirklees, collects good quality electrical items such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and smaller items such as irons, televisions and microwaves that have been left in empty properties or donated by staff and tenants who no longer need them.
The items are safety checked and cleaned and then given to new KNH customers.
And KNH has also urged people to help by donating similar unwanted items.
They go to people who are perhaps setting up their first home or starting out again on their own after a relationship breakdown along with those who may be struggling to buy the essentials.
The project has a number of benefits. It gives practical support to people who need it most and it also cuts the amount of waste sent to landfill.
A KNH spokesman said: “The scheme has been a great success so far.
“During a three-month pilot around 60 households have benefited. However, to keep it going KNH desperately needs more stock – particularly washing machines, fridges, freezers and microwaves.
“I would appeal to anyone who is replacing any household item to help us out.
“If the equipment is in a good, useable condition, please don’t throw it away. KNH will collect it from you and make sure it goes to someone who needs it.”
KNH is a not-for-profit company that manages Kirklees Council’s 23,000 council houses.
The company gained an ‘Excellent’ rating from the Government’s housing inspectors.
KNH was praised for going beyond traditional housing management to work closely with the people who live on the estates they manage and to genuinely listen to their views.
To find out more about the recycling scheme or to arrange a donation, please contact Karen Oates on 01484 416400. Or email: new.business@knh.org.uk
