We want to make an impact in our community across a number of areas. With the help and support from our donors, shoppers and supporters we have been able to make great inroads since we opened in 2015. 

Peter’s story

Peter came to Furniture Bank in 2017. We were told he would not be able to cope in an employment position and yet 2 years later he is now a key member of our retail team. He is training new staff and actively leads team discussions about plans for the future and ideas for growth. Below are his exact words about his life’s journey prior to joining Furniture Bank:

“When I first started school I found it hard to learn new skills and meet new people I flipped out a lot and never went to many lessons which made me get excluded and then had to get assessed and then go diagnosed with  leaning disorder, ADHD tic disorder and autism then I went to a special school and had to try to get help but I missed a lot of school wish gave me a bad grades I found it very hard to engage with things and to lean to  read and write and understanding what they been but now I’ve got older and my head is controlled with tablets I find it easier  to lean and pick up new skills  and lean something new every day at my new job wish I thought going to work   and leaning is better for me then going to school wish that is  what’s happen and I feel  much better and less stressed  out and can do a lot more things and being independent Is such an improvements for someone like me”

Jane and her son Mark who were living in the Stroud Woman’s Refuge.*

“Mid 2015 Mark and I left everything, our home, our photos, our toys, our garden, our pets, our clothes, our car, shoes, everything I had worked so hard to keep together.  We moved into the Beresford Refuge in Stroud, Mark cried to sleep in my arms most nights, he was only just gone 2.

It took just over 4 months for us to be re-homed.  We got the keys to our home, within 4 weeks I was working 16hrs a week, Mark was settled into a nursery. I came to see you guys once we had the keys, we didn’t have a piece of furniture, and it was so stressful. Worrying about where we would sleep, what we would sit on. Most of all I worried about it all unsettling Mark.  My worries were soon put to rest, thanks to you. I came with Mark to come and look at the beds, that day I was able to get a sofa, Mark’s bed, my bed, coffee table and duvets for the two of us.

Over the year I have furnished our whole home at a cost I can afford, working and being on a low income can be tough, you guys have made having a nice home to be proud of accessible, I really don’t know what I would have done without you all and the kind furniture donation – I don’t think people realise just how much joy they are giving to those who need it.”

Furniture donation help people find jobs…

James our very first employee and apprentice.

We met James just after we had first opened and were needing help running the project. He applied for the business administration apprenticeship we were offering. His enthusiasm impressed us in his interview and he was offered the job. When he first joined us, he would not look anyone in the eye and had never had a full-time job. He had not been able to complete his education and since then had not been able to hold down a long- term job.

His job is to process the furniture donations. He completed his year-long apprenticeship and moved to a full-time job with us. He has grown with us as we have expanded and has had the ability to learn new skills, both at work, but also vital skills to use outside of work. He’s now responsible for our white goods and has been trained up and received a qualification in PAT testing which is required for each electrical item we re-use.  

Previously he and his family had been using the local Foodbank and Kids’ Stuff charity due to a lack of income and jobs. However, now James has had a full-time job for two years and no longer needs to use the Foodbank. Our aim is to create more life-changing job opportunities like this.