Biffa volunteers unearth a blast from the past during clear-out at Camphill MK
A long-forgotten travelling trunk containing two vintage pinstripe suits was one of the more unusual finds when volunteers from Biffa helped Camphill MK & Northants clear years of clutter from a dusty storeroom.
Eight employees from Biffa’s commercial collections team joined members of the Camphill MK team at its Willen Park site, putting in a full day’s work to transform the room into a much-needed workshop space for the charity’s facilities team.
Among the discoveries was a very old travelling trunk that had been gathering dust for years. But the biggest surprise was inside: two woollen pinstripe suits that have now been rescued by Camphill MK’s theatre team and given a new lease of life in the costume cupboard.
The trunk was just one part of a bigger clear-out, which saw two van loads of mixed waste removed, including broken furniture, office chairs and old theatre props. Two accessible trikes have also been saved for repair and reuse, while as much of the remaining material as possible will be recycled, with anything too damaged to reuse disposed of responsibly.
The hard work has paved the way for a new workshop that will give Camphill MK’s facilities team more room to work, better storage for tools and materials, and a watertight space to carry out essential maintenance and repairs.
Camphill MK & Northants provides homes, support and meaningful daily activities for more than 100 adults with learning disabilities and autism. Its Willen Park site is home to workshops in horticulture, pottery, weaving, drama, upcycling and hospitality.
As the charity’s community grows, so does the work involved in keeping its homes and facilities safe and comfortable.
Carolyn Green from Camphill MK & Northants, said: “It was incredibly satisfying to see such a transformation in just one day. What had been a difficult space to use was completely cleared and ready for its next chapter. The Biffa team threw themselves into the task, and we’re enormously grateful for the energy, enthusiasm and practical support they brought.
“By giving their time and helping with the clearance and waste removal, Biffa has enabled us to direct our own money and resources to where they are needed most. We’re hugely grateful for their support and delighted that the team is already looking forward to visiting us again in 2027.”
The volunteers also enjoyed lunch at Camphill MK’s on-site café, where residents take part in supported work and learning opportunities, with food prepared and cooked on site.
Phoebe Walls, Biffa Account Manager, was among those volunteering on the day. She said: “Helping out in the communities we serve is a huge part of what we do, so it was a great pleasure to support Camphill MK & Northants with this project.
“There was plenty of waste and plenty of spiders too! It was lovely working with the Camphill team to rediscover forgotten treasures and the residents had fun learning about recycling and sustainability.
“Clearing the space to allow the site to repurpose the room was incredibly rewarding. A huge thanks to Biffa’s Reactive Services team and Premier Junk for helping us take the items away.
“We all thoroughly enjoyed our day and look forward to supporting them again in the future”
Looking after the environment is central to the community’s ethos, from solar photovoltaic panels across the site and heat pumps in its new housing to homegrown produce and bread that help reduce food miles, alongside a strong commitment to recycling.