A new service which helps people in the district to kit out their home is offering an opportunity for job seekers to gain valuable experience.

The Epping Forest ReUse Centre, Epping, is looking for people to help out in exchange for in-house training and retail experience.

Anyone who can spare some time to lend a hand will be taught to serve, sort, conduct repairs and can even learn to carry out PAT tests on electrical equipment.

Volunteers will be given the chance to practice selling furniture and talking on the phone and will be given pointers on their customer interaction.

People of all ages and abilities are welcome to come along, even if it is just to make new friends.

Councillor Glynis Shiell said that volunteers are vital to the furniture recycling centre.

She said: “Our wonderful volunteers are vital to the work of Epping Forest ReUse, please come along we need you to help us.

“It is National Volunteering week so we are reminding people of the benefits of volunteering.

“The Re-Use centre is doing really well and we appreciate all of the help that we can get.”

At the Epping Forest ReUse Centre, Bower Hill Industrial Estate, people can buy quality second hand furniture for a small price. The recycling centre will also collect unwanted furniture from people in the district for free.

The showroom is open between 9.30am and 4.00pm on weekdays and 9.30am until 12.30pm on Saturdays.

Anybody who would like to donate some furniture or volunteer, should call 01992 578222.