Project delivers to those in need
Community furniture group provides essential items for the elderly and most vulnerable across the district
Many families and vulnerable people have been struggling during 2020 and charities and support services have been dealing with an increasing number people in need of their help. Until Christmas, the NewburyWeeklyNewswill be highlighting the work of some of these West Berkshire organisations that rely heavily on volunteers and donations from the public
THE Community Furniture Project is rounding off a difficult year with a festive gift drive, setting out to help disadvantaged children.
The Christmas Toy Appeal was launched at the end of November and the charity is working with Swift Logistics Group to make sure all the presents are delivered on time and ensure an orderly delivery process.
The Project resumed normal operations last Wednesday, providing reused furniture and household goods to those in need.
Among other essential items, it has distributed sofas, beds, chairs, tables, wardrobes and fridges.
The charity’s chief executive Kelvin Hughes said: “Although, unfortunately, we had to close our doors for another month during the second national lockdown, we’ve continued to supply essential items to people in dire need, including many homeless people being moved into permanent accommodation by the council.
“We’re always very grateful to
local residents and businesses for their generous donations of furniture and household goods to help those who are less fortunate, especially at Christmas.”
The Community Furniture Project also offers training and work experience placements to disabled people and those in poverty, employing them in its Bone Lane store.
The organisation had been forced to close its shop through the pandemic.
However, this did not stop volunteers from making their
presence felt locally.
During the lockdown, the Project joined forces with the Community Support Hub and West Berkshire Council to run food parcel deliveries.
As part of this drive, elderly and vulnerable people – as well as carers – were prioritised.
However, the charity was still able to maintain a semi-regular service, helping furnish the new homes of people in hostels and refuges.
Moreover, efforts were made to dispatch cookers, fridges and other electrical goods to people in immediate need.
While volunteers had carried out food deliveries in the past, this was a strictly limited operation, with around 30 especially needy residents receiving regular donations before March.
With the introduction of coronavirus restrictions, the project became a lifeline for hundreds of residents.
The toy appeal represents an extension of the lockdown campaign.
Residents and organisations across the district are being asked to contribute unwanted and pre-loved toys.
These will be distributed to underprivileged young people up to the age of 19 across Newbury and West Berkshire, bringing them seasonal joy in tough circumstances.
Much to the disappointment of disabled volunteers, Community Furniture Project managers were this year forced to call off the annual Christmas trip.
It is hoped that a trip can instead be scheduled for spring.
However, the volunteers are still able to enjoy regular outdoor exercise at Growing 2gether, an affiliated horticultural therapy scheme based near Kingsclere.
Growing 2gether provides people with learning and physical disabilities and mental health issues with the opportunity to engage with nature.
Its grounds are also used by locals to grow their own food.
The Furniture Project is part of the Newbury Community Resource Centre, which manages a number of initiatives, including The Renewal Project – dedicated to conserving local stretches of the River Lambourn – and Training & Community Support, which provides practical training opportunities for young people outside mainstream education, as well as those with learning difficulties and disabilities.
To learn more about its work – and how you can donate to its various projects – visit www.n-cr-c.org