Stafford Furniture Exchange

Ogólne informacje

Launched with Lottery funding in 1996, as a furniture re-use project of Stafford and District Voluntary Services, Stafford Furniture Exchange has supplied essential furniture to those in need ever since. In 2003 it gained independent status as a registered charity and is currently the only organisation providing such a service in the whole of Central and South Staffordshire. Working via a network of over 100 Authorised Referral Agencies, the project deals with referrals on a daily basis (averaging 40 individuals and families a month) from every sector of the community. Each referral’s needs can be due to one of a diverse number of issues, including homelessness, young single mothers, women seeking refuge, those needing resettlement following long-term care, hospital or prison; elderly people on low incomes or in crisis. From the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Borough Council and Social Services, to individual agencies that specialise in particular needs, such as the Mental Health Team, Age Concern, Women’s Aid, and the Probation Service, most furniture needs can be accommodated. For example, when palliative care patients require beds and upright chairs of a certain height, enabling them to be discharged from hospital without delay. Helping disadvantaged people in local community with their basic needs the service provides a vital resource that allows them to improve their quality of life. In addition to the primary object of alleviating hardship, the project is also concerned...