The New Scheme Saving Mattresses From Landfill – and Making Hospital Discharge Safer

Age UK Bolton joins forces with Squosh Social CIC to ‘fill a gap’ in Bolton’s hospital discharge service

Two local charitable organisations have joined forces to provide essential furniture items to older people being discharged from hospital in Bolton.

Social enterprise Squosh Social CIC is working together with local older person’s charity Age UK Bolton to provide, store and deliver furniture to people who have recently been discharged from hospital at no cost, providing a safe home environment for recovery.

Squosh Social CIC will collect and store mattresses which have been used for fire-testing purposes and would usually be sent to landfill despite being virtually brand-new, except for a tiny mark where they have been tested.

The new initiative comes as furniture poverty is on the rise across the country, with charities seeing a higher demand for essential furniture over the past year.

Vicky Hitchen, Head of Health and Enterprises at Age UK Bolton, said: “Not having suitable beds at home has been a real barrier to hospital discharge for our Home From Hospital team in the past, causing delays and increasing risk.”

“But now we have the partnership with Squosh Social in place, people on low incomes can quickly access the support they need and recover independently at home after a hospital stay. It’s a strong and practical solution which fills a gap in Bolton’s hospital discharge service,” she added.

Eric McBean, Co-founder of Squash Social CIC, said: “This is another step in the right direction when it comes to decreasing furniture poverty in Greater Manchester. All the furniture we provide – including the beds going to Age UK Bolton – is high quality and will provide people with dignity and the fresh start they need.”

“We’re providing a solution which focuses on people’s needs but is also sustainable and prevents hundreds of household furniture items from ending up in landfill,” he added.

The initiative will also provide matching bed bases and deliver them at no cost, ensuring vulnerable older people can have a smooth and safe discharge from hospital.

Other essential household items can also be delivered to older people through the partnership, such as sofas and chairs, as well as white goods like fridges. Where needed, Squosh Social can also assist with house clearances and furniture removal.

If you’d like to make a referral to Age UK Bolton and Squosh CIC’s essential furniture delivery scheme, or want to donate unwanted furniture, please contact hfh@ageukbolton.org.uk.

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