Furnishing the Future – rewarding young talent

Photograph shows Lyyda from Harlington Community School, Hayes

The Furnishing the Future project is a School Design Prize and Competition designed to build the foundations of confidence and aspiration in young people and inspire them to consider a future career in the furnishing industry.

This is the third year of the Company’s most ambitious project to date, awarding over 1000 school prizes to design students for excellence and dedication. To celebrate our third year we are launching an exciting competition to be held in conjunction with all our participating schools.

The purpose of the School Design Prize is to raise awareness of the furniture and furnishing industry among young people at secondary schools. Each winning pupil receives a copy of Modern British Furniture: Design Since 1945 by Lesley Jackson and a Prize certificate featuring the name and logo of the donor institution. As a recognised and respected award- giving body The Furniture Makers’ Company School Design Prize is a fantastic accolade to feature on a student’s CV.

It is our aim to work with and support GCSE Design Technology students and their teachers and we are thrilled that schools have been inspired by this student prize.

“This sort of initiative is valuable. Design & Technology is not always viewed in the same light as other academic subjects and therefore strong candidates often opt out – rather than becoming strong designers/ makers/ creative professionals in the future. Often people take for granted designed items without acknowledging the skills, knowledge and intellectual thought behind them.”  Mrs Wickham, Teacher, Surrey

 We are delighted to announce the launch of a new national competition for these young designers. The Competition has been designed to reward the 5 best students nationally, build closer links with teachers and schools and further promote career opportunities in our industry. All schools currently part of the School Design Prize programme are eligible to submit an application on behalf of their School Design Prize winner. Ensure your local school can take part by sponsoring a prize from just £45 per school.

Donate and help us inspire and reward even more young people in 2016!

This year your support will not only reward and inspire a young student but also provide the opportunity for them and their school to enter into the competition and the chance to win the competitions top prizes!

To donate simply text FURN16 £10 to 70070 to donate, you can donate via Just Giving, or you can make a donation to us directly here.

ALL the money we receive from your donations will be spent on our Furnishing the Future project.

A Gallery of previous winning projects may be seen by clicking here

For more information on donating or to find out about our corporate sponsorship options please contact Amy Gibson at fundraiser@furnituremakers.org.uk.