The projects help people and the environment in a number of important ways.  We...

• collect and redistribute quality furniture to people who need it, often people on low incomes
• provide paid work in areas of disadvantage to local people helping them, their families and the local economy
• provide volunteering opportunities for local people which are great in themselves and can provide a way into further education, training and jobs.
• provide training to people who are socially excluded
• protect the environment by re-using and recycling quality furniture instead of it being dumped into landfill sites.  Landfill is expensive and stores up environmental problems fro many years to come.  In 2004 – 05, 448,000 tonnes of household waste were created in Cheshire and this was less than a third of all waste in Cheshire (commercial and industrial).  We can’t keep doing this!  Furniture Re-use Projects help!

Here are some examples of the projects' work to support, train and help people:

H came to us last year as someone in really dire circumstances. He and his family had had to flee Kenya, and arrived in the Uk with next to nothing, and were denied state assistance. We were able to sort them out with a furniture pack and , subsequently, other items. Having been given the right to stay and work in the UK, but with poor English and no benefits, H became a volunteer here. A great lad, he gained experience on the vans (the driver's mate) and in the shop. His English (and map reading!) improved swiftly and he was able to kit out his family's new home. After five months he got a job as a baggage handler at Manchester Airport with a shining reference from us. He still pops in from time to time to say hello.
We help numerous other clients who may come to us from women's refuges, hospitals, social services, CAB's, RSL's and many from other voluntary organisations.
Wesley Community Furniture Project.

It's not always financially viable to work full time whilst living in a hostel, so being a volunteer at The Furniture Mine allows me to be part of something positive and productive. Being part of a team is always good for the soul and it has helped me regain a sense of self-worth and my confidence is definitely on the up as a result. I am also one of many people within the community who are looking to move out of temporary accommodation to start a new life so I can really appreciate the benefits of the service that The Furniture Mine provides.
It is also very heartwarming to meet so many people within the community who are willing to help others through their donations, and their willingness to give has restored my faith in humanity.
North Staffordshire Furniture Mine.

John & Jill were a fairly ordinary family. John had his own IT business and Jill worked part-time. The children were at school full-time. They had a mortgage and bought many of their household goods on credit.
Within a year their lives changed completely. John became very ill and lost or had to give up most of his contracts. Unable to meet mortgage and credit payments they lost everything. The house and most of its contents were re-possessed.
The family became homeless and were housed in a local authority homeless unit. Eventually they were offered a council house but could not afford the necessary furniture to move in. Credit was not an option and Jill's income meant they did not qualify for full benefits.
St. Vincent de Paul works in close partnership with the Local Authority Housing Department and so were able to help and support John and Jill with many of their furniture requirements. At a follow-up visit some months later John's health had begun to improve and Jill was able to increase her hours of work.
St. Vincent de Paul project, Ellesmere Port.

Blacon Furniture Project, Chester.

North
Shropshire
Furniture
Scheme

St. Vincent de Paul, Ellesmere Port.

Salvation Army, Ellesmere Port

Furniture Finders of Winsford.

Crewe and Nantwich.

Christian Concern Crewe.

Congleton Borough

North Staffordshire Furniture Mine

Macclesfield Borough

Furnaround, Macclesfield.

Tree of Life Centre, Wythenshawe.

Wesley Community Furniture Limited, Fallowfield.

Wythenshawe Development Trust, Wilmslow.