HELPING PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The Tendring Furniture Scheme is a charity that collects donated furniture items to pass on to people on very low income.

To donate furniture call 01255 476068 or e-mail us.

Welcome to The Tendring Furniture Scheme website. Over the course of a year we collect approximately 1500 items of furniture to pass on to individuals and families who need that little bit of extra help. Our website is intended to tell you more about us and the service we provide to the people of Tendring; the team of people who make it all possible; and how you can help in our continuing success.

You can find out more by using the links we have provided to websites containing useful local information and, if you are involved or interested in furniture recycling, we have included links to some useful information sites.

We hope you find The Tendring Furniture Scheme site of interest. Please do share with us your knowledge of other schemes and organisations which will be of benefit to us; tell us about forthcoming recycling events; advise us of any original fundraising ideas you may have; or indeed help us in any other way you can.

Remember, without your help over 500 families each year would go without badly needed furniture. Even donating one small item will allow The Tendring Furniture Scheme to give people a level of comfort that many of us take for granted.

The Tendring Furniture Scheme

receives funding from

Essex County Council

Tendring District Council

Big Lottery Fund

The Mrs Smith and Mount Trust

Can you imagine having no furniture in your home?

For some people this is a fact!

How did it all begin?

In the early 1990’s The Tendring Furniture Scheme was set up by Tendring Community Voluntary Services to alleviate local deprivation. It began operating as an independent charitable company limited by guarantee and a registered charity in its own right in April 2005. Initially, the scheme operated on a part-time basis and managed to keep going for a number of years thanks mainly to the contribution of volunteer helpers.

The scheme rented a small warehouse and hired transport from week to week.

A successful Community Fund grant application allowed the scheme to be re-launched in April 2001 on a full-time basis with three employed staff, a freehold warehouse and the scheme's own vehicle.

The scheme went from strength to strength and with a further successful grant application to The Big Lottery Fund made in 2004 its future was secured to March 2007.

Looking beyond March 2007, the Trustees sought ways of becoming more self-sufficient and self sustaining and decided to open the scheme to the general public while retaining its commitment to supporting people in need.

In August 2008 the scheme successfully applied to the Big Lottery Fund "Reaching Communities Programme" for a grant to develop the existing warehouse by installing a mezzanine floor, a lift for the use of disabled clients, and constructing a workshop for the repair and refurbishment of donated items which would otherwise be declined and destined for landfill. The workshop provides training for young people with learning disabilities, mental health problems, or those not in education, employment or training.

The scheme collects and delivers to some 2000 households annually and travels some 10,000 miles a year throughout Tendring. Without the service, many families would be unable to furnish their homes to a decent standard.

How do we operate?

We are a registered charity and charitable company limited by guarantee and are managed by a Board of Trustees who are unpaid Directors of the company. We collect donated household items such as 3-piece suites, beds, chests of drawers, wardrobes etc., and pass them on to disadvantaged families and individuals within the Tendring district.

We provide a much-needed service that helps people in times of need.

Can anyone come to us for furniture?

Yes. Originally we were only accessible by people living in the Tendring district in receipt of a means tested benefit or those referred by Social Services and other charities or support agencies. However, in order to be able to continue to support economically disadvantaged individuals and secure the future of the project, the Trustees decided to open the scheme to anyone seeking furniture but with the proviso that benefit claimants should receive a significant discount (up to 50% of the indicated donation sought for an item).

How much do we charge?

A donation is requested from clients receiving furniture to contribute to the costs of running the scheme. Collections of donated furniture are free of charge although all offers of contributions to our costs are always most welcome and gratefully received.

Are we really needed in Tendring?

Yes. Since our re-launch in April 2001, we have been overwhelmed with requests for our services. Each year we now make some 2000 collections and deliveries to households throughout Tendring.

We also provide volunteer opportunities for members of the local community and offer training and work experience placements for members of other support agencies such as Mencap and students in need of alternative education.

The Tendring Furniture Scheme is a member of the Furniture Reuse Network (FRN)

The Tendring Furniture Scheme actively supports “A Compact For Tendring”

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Registered Charity Number 1108869