Households experiencing significant financial hardship and crisis have been able to create safe, settled and comfortable home lives thanks to a grant of £2,000 from the Pattinson Estate Agent Fund and Square One Law Firm Fund via Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.
Foundations Furniture used the grant to provide free, preloved furniture to 22 Gateshead households to rebuild their home lives after distressing circumstances including homelessness and fleeing abuse and violence. They received free, pre-loved beds, seating and storage to remove the long term financial and emotional burden they face during times of significant hardship and vulnerability.
By helping the households, which benefited 48 people including children living in poverty, they were able to quickly feel settled and focus on rebuilding other areas of their lives.
With support from Pattinson Estate Agent and Square One Law Firm, 22 households were referred by local support services and experienced far reaching benefits when we spoke to them a few months after they received their furniture:
-improved mental health and feelings of happiness and confidence
-pride in the home, and in oneself
-feeling of belonging in the community due to feeling settled and secure
-feeling more sociable by having more visitors
-feeling motivated to make improvements in other areas of life
-increased feelings of independence
-people feel settled and stable more quickly after crisis
-avoidance of debt, which felt like the only other solution.
One beneficiary told us:-
"If Foundations is helping people like they helped me, then they are doing great work for the community. I'm proud of my home, it's my safe space."
The charity is able to provide Crisis Recovery support thanks to the generosity of grants and they work hard to raise funds throughout the year. Funding for free furniture has now ended but support services can continue to signpost local residents to Foundations for support, for which there is a charitable fee. People who need support can also turn up any time to the shop on Askew Road West, Teams, NE8 2PB (Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm). There is no need to make an appointment.
If you work with vulnerable households in Gateshead and would like to be notified when the Crisis Recovery Support is re-opened, please email michelle@teamwork-dt.co.uk.
Foundations is a registered charity (1090034) that collects unwanted, usable furniture and electrical items from across Tyne and Wear to help Gateshead residents in hardship who struggle to afford to furnish their homes. We also provide opportunities for local people to volunteer to stay connected, gain new skills and experience, and to help support the community. To find out more, visit our website www.foundationsfurniture.co.uk, or call 0191 4778337.
Kommentare