FRC make headlines in the FT

Furniture Resource Centre (FRC) has recently been praised in the Entrepreneur column of the Financial Times.

FRC is a social enterprise based in Liverpool and provides contract quality furniture to social landlords throughout the UK and supplies everything required to furnish a single room or a whole hostel.

Mike Southon, the FT journalist said this about FRC:

"It is a regular business, providing a valuable service for a tidy profit. What makes it a social enterprise is that, as well as the focus on recycling, most of the people who work for it were formerly long-term unemployed, ex-offenders or otherwise challenged.

I knew that I was visiting somewhere special as soon as I walked through the door to see a personal welcome displayed at reception.

Shaun Doran, chief executive of The FRC Group, explained that this not only makes visitors feel welcome, but also sparks the curiosity of the staff, who are encouraged to engage with visitors as much as possible.

Rather than a standard name badge, visitors can choose their own name badge, based on the core values of The FRC Group: bravery, creativity, passion and professionalism - another good conversation opener.

The company's interview process is well thought out and focuses on the design of the job, its delivery criteria and metrics for measuring success. These are reviewed by an external organisation, The Reward Group, to determine the appropriate financial rewards for good performance.

Each potential new employee then goes through a 'values day' to see where they would best fit in. They are then given the opportunity to convince the interviewers that they are ready and willing to give the job their very best shot.

Their induction process is thorough and their subsequent employment is based on recognition and reward. Their step-by-step progress is constantly monitored and displayed publicly, with regular praise for a good job done.

But the best confidence booster is the staff knowing that they have a specific buddy who, on their own first day, was equally scared and confused - and who is always available to put a hand around their shoulder and show them the ropes.

This is just a tiny glimpse into the well-considered and highly effective methods The FRC Group uses to make its company a great place to work. It would be delighted to welcome you to its place to explain how to recruit well and increase the self-esteem of your people."

FRC is a nominated supplier on the PfH Furniture and Associated Products framework. They provide the full range of services and products to make the provision of furniture by social landlords as easy as possible. This includes furnishings, furniture, white goods, carpets and curtains.

Furniture Resource Centre's 'One Stop Service' allows Registered Providers to furnish properties and supported accommodation as speedily and with as little hassle as possible. The wide range of new products and 'one order, one delivery, one invoice' service enables tenants to move in immediately.

For further information about the Furniture and Associated Products framework, please contact Kayleigh Blackburn on kblackburn@procurementforhousing.co.uk