Many of London's most vulnerable people are given just an empty flat and are left to furnish it themselves. They have little or no money, and they cannot obtain goods on credit. How can they make a new start, look for a job or bring up children, when they can't even cook a hot meal? FAST exists to help people like this in the borough of Lambeth.

Unlike many other furniture reuse projects across London, they accept electrical items as well as furniture. This means that they are able to offer a newly-housed person or family pretty much everything they need to make their flat a home – all in one go! FAST is also the only project that is registered to collect, service and redistribute gas cookers. Not only does this mean they are providing specialist service, it also increase the amount of cookers they are able to offer their clients.

FAST was established in 1994; the fact that they are still around 11 years later, in these times of uncertain funding, is an achievement in itself. Over the years they’ve managed to build up a good relationship with their referral agencies, as well as with the local community. Volunteering offers an opportunity for people who have been unemployed or otherwise socially excluded in the local community to get involved with the project as well as gain confidence and new skills. Their volunteers appear to enjoy the work as they tend to stick around for a while!

Case study issued in November 2005