A RECYCLING project which helps people struggling to furnish their homes is expanding.

Regenerate Community Enterprise recycles furniture, white goods and flat-screen televisions that would otherwise be thrown away.

The not-for-profit organisation, based in Stonehouse, provides start-up packages of household appliances for people in need.

It also sells affordable furniture and repaired electronics to the public.

The enterprise offers jobs and training in its workshop for those who have been out of work, homeless or suffered addiction problems.

Set up two years ago from the ashes of the Resettlement Agency, the project is now growing.

It is opening a new shop on New George Street in the city centre next week.

It is also turning its Rendle Street workshop into an NVQ training centre.

Organisers are appealing for people to support to the project – by donating broken and unwanted items, and visiting to new shop.

Mick Kelly, co-founder of the enterprise, said: "It's all about people who've had their problems turning their lives around and helping others.

"We've had a hard two years after the Resettlement Agency went to the wall. The workshop was the thing we saved.

"We've been building it up and now we want to create more employment.

"What we really need is more raw goods, more donations. We are only firing at about 60 per cent. With more appliances we can create more employment."

Regenerate has permission to recover white goods and electronic appliances dumped at Weston Mill Recycling Centre. It also receives donations from members of the public.

The centre is fully licensed to undertake repairs, and all items are sold under guarantee.

Mick said the organisation's goals are to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill in Devon and Cornwall, and create jobs for people who would otherwise struggle to find work.

It aims to provide cheap and efficient recycling services to the local community, and affordable domestic appliances and furniture to customers.

Free start-up packages are given out through referrals from agencies including the Shekinah Mission and Broadreach drug and alcohol treatment centres.

Regenerate is looking to become a centre of excellence for training in the South West, providing NVQ qualifications for under privileged people.

It also plans to move into repair and restoration of furniture in conjunction with Westcountry Housing Association.

Mick set up Regenerate in 2010 with colleagues Karen Patheyjohns and Dave Levien after the Resettlement Agency went into administration.

It employs five staff and currently has eight volunteers and apprentices.

The new shop at 69 New George Street, next to Waterstone's, will create three jobs. As well as selling goods, its will also offer a repair service.

Anyone who wants to donate unwanted furniture or broken flat-screen televisions, white goods or Dyson vacuum cleaners can drop them off at the workshop at 170 Rendle Street. It is open from 9am until 4pm weekdays and 9am until 2pm on Saturdays.

Items can also be picked up free of charge. Call 01752 265600 or visit www.plymouth-recycle.com for further information.