Background

Established in 1998, Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project (AKA “The Wood Store”) was the first scheme of its kind in the country; an organisation committed to finding a way to reuse waste timber ‐ seeing it for what it really is ‐ not a waste but a precious resource.

 Vision and mission

Leading the way as a pinnacle of the local circular economy, we are now a charity and our aims are:

• protecting the environment by conserving resources 
• educating and promoting behavioural change 
• changing lives, relieving unemployment and social exclusion

Our Impact 2022/2023

• 720 tonnes of timber diverted from the waste stream
• 359 tonnes of Co2 saved from entering the atmosphere
• 10.8 FTE jobs created/sustained
• 90 volunteers donating 8335 hours to the charity

How we operate

• £444k revenue
• 2 retail sites (Brighton & Lewes)
• 2 wood workshops 
• 2 collection vehicles 
• 16k facebook + 6k instagram followers

Challenge
A reduction in wood supply from national commercial contracts has reduced our revenue and put our viability at risk. This is due to a national slowdown in commercial building projects in 2023 due to uncertain economic conditions and high interest rates. This has also negatively impacted our retail revenues.

The charity is relatively cash-poor and is still recovering from the negative impact of COVID on revenue. Most of our unrestricted funds are locked up in retail stock. The charity needs short-term funds to bolster cash flow over the coming months, as well as additional funds to enable it to diversify its business model and survive long-term.

The Board of Non-Exec Directors/Trustees of The Wood Store believe that a total of £100K is required to give the charity the 6-12 months it requires to diversify its revenue stream and make grant applications for new funding.  It also needs to find new, long-term premises by mid-2025.

Actions taken by the Board so far:

• New Board members recruited with additional skills to support the turnaround.
• The management team have implemented short-term operational cost-saving measures of 10%.  
  
  

Why is The Wood Store worth saving?

Our mid-term ambition is to diversify wood sourcing, increase revenue generation from consumer-focused commercial activities, and build better networks with other local sustainability/circular economy businesses, charities and community groups. 

We aim to make The Wood Store - in its new premises - a hub for community engagement and action around reclaim, reuse, and recycle lifestyles.  
 

Our ‘Save The Wood Store’ campaign aims to:

• Raise sufficient funds to ensure The Wood Store can diversify to survive short to mid-term.
• Galvanise support from existing corporate and individual customers.
• Build awareness of The Wood Store with new potential audiences.
• Turbocharge the search for a new location to ensure long-term survival

What are we seeking

• Cash donations from individuals (£10k via this crowdfunder page) 
• Corporate Sponsorship/Co-Branding opportunities (£40-£90k)
• Commission more commercial /residential work
• New sources of wood from local businesses and residential customers
  
  

This initial public crowdfunder is for £10k and will form part of our £50k-£100k stretch target across the 6 month timeframe. The additional £50k-90k will come from other fundraising initiatives and our hope of securing corporate sponsorships from local businesses, Bcorps and 1% for the planet members.

Please note: we have reduced our initial target on this page from £100k to £10k to comply with The Aviva Community Fund T&Cs as a maximum initial funding target of £50,000 is permitted.