Over the past few months, we’ve been working with councils across Lancashire to prepare vacant properties for at-risk groups requiring urgent housing. So far, our team have furnished over forty properties across the region with more in progress.
Properties across the region are being repurposed to provide housing for vulnerable individuals requiring a safe space to self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the outbreak, our staff have been delivering furniture, white goods and bedding to properties including set up and installation. Our continued success has seen enquiries come in from other local councils looking to utilize us for their rehousing efforts.
In other positive news, we’ve been able to resume our Bulky Waste Collection services in both Blackpool and Wyre. Staff have been delivering domestic bins for Wyre Council, distributing somewhere in the region of 250 so far. These vital services are helping to keep communities tidy and combat the recent surge of fly-tipping following lockdown.
Furniture Matters is now one of only two services delivering essential household items as part of Lancashire’s Crisis Support Scheme. The Crisis Support service provides support for people experiencing a crisis beyond their control. It assists the most vulnerable in meeting short-term needs and promotes their continued independence in the community. The scheme focuses support through the provision of household items for eligible residents in Lancashire.
Liz Tapner from Selnet has been full of praise for our team commenting, ‘I want to say thank you to Steph and the team at Furniture Matters for their unyielding commitment to this valuable service and without whom we may have lost this important resource to those most vulnerable.’