Changing the world one gift at a time

Freecycle in the UK

Freecycle groups are run by locally based volunteer moderators.

The first UK Freecycle group was set up in London in Oct 2003. There are now 486 groups spread across the country, with 1,487,765 members!

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Find and subscribe to your nearest local UK group

If a local Freecycle is not listed, you might want to Start a Group in your area!

Main Freecycle Website

ABOUT US

OVERVIEW

Freecycle UK aims to keep items out of landfill by providing an internet listings service to help people give unwanted items to someone else for free.  Keeping stuff out of landfill helps build a sustainable future, is good for the environment and builds local and world communities.

Freecycle UK is run by volunteers and day-to-day decision making is made by grassroots local groups, encouraging local members to use their group sensibly and safely.  Each group is run by a team of moderators who check messages and help members..

Group moderators consult with other groups at a regional and national level with other support structures available nationally and internationally. Freecycle rules and guidelines are agreed to globally via national moderator groups and are noted on Freecycle.org in the FAQ.

Freecycle UK seeks to ensure equality of opportunity for all sections of the community in its own affairs and in access to its facilities.

If you would like to join us as a volunteer, join a local group and use Freecycle, then volunteer as a group moderator or set up a new group.  Other regional and national volunteering opportunities are open to group moderators, but also to individual members if they would like to offer time or particular expertise. If you have skills, knowledge, or experience and time to offer the organisation please email uk@freecycle.org

HISTORY

Freecycle was started by Deron Beal in the USA in May 2003 and the first UK group was set up in October of that year.  The worldwide membership is now over 5 million in more than 85 countries.   

FREECYCLE UK LEGAL STATUS

Freecycle UK is a Registered Charity (No. 1118148) in England and Wales, registered 28 February 2007(link) and is also a Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 05945013), incorporated 25 September 2006 (link).

Freecycle UK has a Memorandum and Articles of Association and legal decisions are taken by the Freecycle UK trustees who serve as the voting directors. The Freecycle UK Chairperson is nominated by The Freecycle Network USA.

The current trustees are Deron Beal (Chairperson), Neil Morris (UK Director) and  Stephanie Sagemoon. The trustees meet annually for an AGM, and at other times as required. (links when available to Annual reports and accounts)

Freecycle UK is a not for profit organisation and has no employees, property or other capital assets.  The trustees are not paid but can receive out of pocket expenses.  To date, no expenses have been paid.

Freecycle UK is part of The Freecycle Network and collaborates internationally, following the lead taken by The Freecycle Network, USA, a non profit organisation with Section 501(c)(3) status.

FREECYCLE UK FUNDS

As a charitable organization Freecycle UK welcomes funding in the form of grants, underwriting and donations from the general public. Local group membership is free.

Freecycle UK is also fortunate to receive some funding for group-specific and regionally specific projects. Grants awarded are used exclusively for the criteria specified in the individual applications

FREECYCLE UK LOCALLY

Each Freecycle group is moderated by local volunteers who check messages and gently ensure that the basic guidelines are followed.  The Freecycle FAQ section [link] provides the required rules and guidelines which are agreed to by all local groups. The main rule is that everything must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages with an emphasis on being nice, keeping safe and building a sustainable local and world community.

In addition to the basic required guidelines for all groups, each local Freecycle UK group may have some additional local guidelines, for example as regards the posting of pets or services rather than items. Group moderators will typically consult or poll members about proposed rule changes.  Local Freecycle groups do not have formal committees or bank accounts. They are though part of the overall Freecycle Network, represented in the UK by Freecycle UK.

Each group or area may have a cafe group to enable wider discussion of Freecycle or related topics.

FREECYCLE UK NATIONALLY

• Modsquads:  The groups for moderators to ask for advice about day to day running of their local groups and for general discussion about Freecycle are called ‘modsquads’.  There is a Freecycle UK-wide, regional and local modsquads. 
• Media Team:  Puts together media information and deals with national media enquiries.
• Fundraising Team:  Working to identify and secure funding for central support and individual groups.
• Other Helpers:  A variety of individuals offer voluntary help, such as developing software to assist moderators.

FREECYCLE INTERNATIONALLY

UK volunteers can help out and contribute to international groups, including:

• New Group Approver (NGA) Team:  Covering all issues regarding new groups, including helping new owners to set up their group correctly.
• Group Outreach and Assistant (GOA) Team:  Helping groups deal with any extraordinary or sensitive issues.
• Interim Mod (IMOD)Team : working with groups whose owner has left, finding and supporting new local moderators
• Mentor Mods Team :  offering a peer-to-peer role to help out new group moderators and also head a Disaster Relief Temps project, which can offer help in extenuating circumstances
• Graphics Team : providing a design service for any group that would like bespoke graphics for their group and also provide generic graphics for Freecycle
• Trademark Team : working to ensure that the Freecycle trademark is properly used in Freecycle groups and externally
• Website Project Team: developing a bespoke website for the Freecycle network
• Organisational Issues Development Group (OIDG):  modsquad for discussion of Freecycle development worldwide.
  

MAILING ADDRESS
 
   The Freecycle Network
   3 Moorlands
   Wellingborough
   Northants NN8 5QS
   uk@freecycle.org

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Freecycle Newswire

• Guardian: Recycling that works in a gift economy
• Cotswold Chatterblog: The North Cotswold Freecycle Group is growing daily
• Liverpool Echo: Tough targets for your waste
• Daily Mail: Green scene: Plug in to the facts on electrical waste
• Telegraph: RHS advice: Shed tidy, bird cake and more
• Thrifty Scot: Recycle and save money

More UK News...

Contact Freecycle Media: Tel +44(0)207 404 6064 (not for general public calls)

Email info [at] freecycle.org for general enquiries

Freecycle UK is a Registered Charity (No: 1118148) and is a Company Limited by Guarantee (No: 05945013)
Copyright © 2003-2007 The Freecycle Network. All rights reserved.
Freecycle and the Freecycle logo are registered trademarks of The Freecycle Network, CTM Reg. No. 4287553