Ludlow firm takes on first female and youngest ever van driver

Charlotte Bayliss, 20, can be seen picking up and delivering restored furniture around the town. is the first female and the youngest person to join The Furniture Scheme as a van driver.

And she’s making a good impression since starting.

“This is the perfect job for me, I just love the driving and getting out and about,” she said.

“I have been driving vans a lot since I passed my driving test at 17 - my dad has a removal and antiques business so I have worked for him and helped out where I can.

“I love the ethos of The Furniture Scheme too, I meet so many people and talk to so many different people, the furniture can make such a difference to someone’s life when I deliver it to them.”

Charlotte works part time and combines her job at The Furniture Scheme with training to be a teaching assistant.

She starts at the warehouse in Weeping Cross Lane each shift when she loads the van with furniture to be delivered to customers and sets out her route for the day.

She also collects items people want to donate to The Furniture Scheme, but they are unable to take them to the warehouse or workshop in Tower Street.

Her job involves a number of trips to the tip and sorting the warehouse as well.

“I am pleased at how much I can do here as well - I’m always happy to get stuck in and I can lift more furniture than people often think,” she added.

“I may be just 20 years old, female and quite small, but I am stronger than I look. I can give the men a run for their money sometimes too.”

The Furniture Scheme was launched over 20 years ago as a way to ensure some of the most excluded members of the community could benefit from recycled household items - but the society has grown and now offers computer courses, carpentry workshops and volunteering in the garden, among other things.

Operations manager James Cooper said he was delighted to have Charlotte on board.

“Charlotte has not been a member of the team here for long but she has made a great impression already,” he said.

“She is dedicated and proactive too, our staff, volunteers and customers all have good things to say about her.

“She was just what we were looking for when we advertised for a new van driver.”

Anyone who would like more information about The Furniture Scheme should call 01584 874922, email info@furniturescheme.co.uk or visit http://www.furniturescheme.co.uk.