Upcycling Programme Consultant

Everyone deserves a decent place to live – join Habitat for Humanity Great Britain as our new Upcycling Programme Consultant. Shape an impactful workshop programme, guide volunteers in hands-on furniture restoration, and create sustainable solutions for those facing housing poverty.

 

About Habitat for Humanity Great Britain

Habitat for Humanity Great Britain (HFHGB) is part of the international Habitat for Humanity network, tackling housing poverty around the world. Decent and affordable housing is about much more than four walls and a roof – housing intersects with critical development issues, including gender equality, human rights, and climate change.

We’re not just creating homes. We’re also creating opportunities. Providing connections and support for people in housing need as well as volunteer experiences for corporate partners. At Habitat for Humanity’s upcycling initiative we take things and bring them into the workshop and give them a new lease of life.

 

Job Purpose

Habitat for Humanity GB (HFHGB) engages corporate volunteers in practical upcycling workshops as part of its social impact programme. These workshops involve the restoration or creation of furniture and home goods for people experiencing housing precarity. We are seeking an experienced freelance consultant to manage and deliver this programme on a flexible, per-project basis. 

Less than 2% of social housing actually comes with furniture. Our upcycling workshop aims to part-furnish these properties with high quality repaired and upcycled items and create opportunities for other households and communities experiencing economic hardship to furnish their own space.  

We have strong support from the UK public, who are keen to make donations of furniture and materials, as well as support from the UK private sector. This project will combine these offers of support by enabling a creative workshop space where teams of volunteers can be supervised to upcycle donated items. Our upcycling project aims to furnish properties with high quality repaired and upcycled items and create opportunities for other households and communities experiencing economic hardship to furnish their own space. Upcycled furniture also goes to our Restore in Romford which is our DIY charity shop and a community space for low-income households to purchase essential furniture items and access tailored DIY and construction information to help them make affordable improvements to their home.   

The consultant will be contracted to provide services under two categories:

2. Workshop Delivery (Per Event Basis)

• Lead upcycling workshops for groups of up to 15 volunteers 

• Demonstrate furniture painting, sanding, or assembly techniques 

• Provide safety briefings and facilitate an inclusive and engaging volunteer experience 

• Ensure venue is prepared (tools, PPE, materials) and tidied post-event 

• Capture basic event data (e.g., attendance, photos, testimonials)

 

2. Planning & Admin (Hourly Basis)

• Liaise with HFHGB staff to scope each workshop 

• Procure or prepare necessary materials (paint, wood, furniture) 

• Coordinate with donors and suppliers on logistics 

• Maintain inventory of workshop tools and supplies 

• Maintain inventory of food/refreshments e.g. water, milk, tea etc  

• Support design of new upcycling activities for different skill levels 

 

Scope of Consultancy

The Upcycling Programme Consultant will be engaged to deliver HFHGB’s Upcycling Workshops. We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and supportive individual to fulfil this role. The ideal consultant will have experience working with individuals from a mixture of backgrounds and with different experience levels:  

• Overseeing workshop delivery in line with agreed project scope, developing and managing a process to ensure that donated items of furniture are upcycled to a high quality and providing input into volunteer coordination and inductions as agreed. 

• We are looking for someone with the creativity and drive to grow the project and workshop outputs, and existing experience of furniture upcycling, such as varnishing, painting, knowledge of furniture restoration is essential as this is the focus of the existing work.  

• There will be times where the Upcycling Programme Consultant will be required contribute to related activities if mutually agreed, such as meeting with various partners and helping with collections or deliveries.

 

Furniture Upcycling

• To coordinate with a team of designated supervisors who will oversee day to day upcycling with Corporate Partners, e.g. volunteers. This includes involvement in appointment, oversight and assisting with necessary training for supervisors etc. 

• To develop creative and engaging ideas and processes about what to do with the furniture from start to finish.  

• This includes identifying which pieces of furniture will be upcycled for each session, in what way they will be painted and finished and what products will be used. Ultimately creating a process for each piece which supervisors can use in the sessions as a guide for the day and with participants.  

• To oversee the donation and collection of stock and materials from partners and donors, including liaising with Restore and procuring from local sources.  

• To complete regular stock checks to ensure adequate stock of all items needed to creatively upcycle furniture in available including but not limited to paint, sandpaper, waxes, varnishes, and tools.

 

Programme Support Activities/Project Logistics and Liaison/Project Co-ordination. 

• Act as the primary liaison for all Upcycling enquiries, working with suppliers, media and supporters as required. Representing Habitat at workshops, internal and external events with current and potential donors.  

• Track and report on expenditure for the project, as agreed with Habitat for Humanity and the Director of Programme Delivery ensuring value for money and adherence to, and review of budget expectations. 

• Facilitate relevant meetings relating to the project, including setting agendas, writing, distributing, and following up on agreed actions.  

• Co-ordinate with HFHGB staff to develop all marketing materials using all the charity’s communication channels. 

• Adhere to HFHGB health and safety procedures while on-site. 

• Provide excellent customer service to ensure all stakeholders have a positive experience of the project.  

• Evaluate the success and impact of the project by monitoring pieces upcycled and diverted from landfill, and GIK (Gift in kind) donated to support the project, 

• Ensure all registration forms, health and safety and inductions forms are completed and saved according to GDPR practices.  

• Ensure before and after photos of the furniture and volunteer involvement on the day is captured and downloaded onto the appropriate system.  
• Provide information to ensure the Impact Team can prepare narrative and financial reports required by donors. 

 

Person Specification

The consultant is expected to have: 

• Demonstrable experience in furniture upcycling, including restoration, varnishing, and upholstery. 

• Experience working with volunteers in a workshop or creative environment. 

• Strong organisational skills and ability to deliver on time and within budget. 

• Confidence in liaising with donors, corporate volunteers, and suppliers 

• A current clean UK driving licence and access to transport 

• Experience coordinating creative workshops or similar hands-on activities 

 

Key Deliverables

• Up to 3 workshops per week (subject to bookings) 

• Basic post-event summary submitted within 5 working days of each session 

• Workshop area maintained in good order 
• Regular inventory updates and re-stocking requests submitted quarterly

 

Fees, Payment & Terms

• Invoicing: Monthly in arrears, based on completed activities and submitted timesheets 

• Payment Terms: Within 30 days of receipt of invoice 

This consultancy is offered on a rolling basis, subject to workshop demand. Either party may terminate the agreement with 14 days’ written notice. Continued engagement will be based on performance and programme need.

 

How to Apply

To apply for the role, please send us your CV and a supporting statement (max two sides of A4) telling us about the skills and experience you would bring to the role and your motivation for applying. Send by email referencing the job title in the subject line to: recruitment@habitatforhumanity.org.uk

The deadline for applications is 27th August 2025 (at 11:59 pm).

 

Status of Consultant

The Consultant is engaged as a self-employed contractor and not as an employee of Habitat for Humanity GB. The Consultant is responsible for their own tax, National Insurance, insurance, and other statutory obligations.

Safeguarding & Conduct

The Consultant must adhere to HFHGB’s safeguarding, health & safety, and conduct policies at all times, particularly in relation to volunteer management.