The Furniture Help Scheme which was founded in Newton Aycliffe from small beginnings by Newtonian Chris Palmer helping needy families, is now a major charity serving the whole County.
Now with nearly £½ million turnover a year the charity held an Open Day last week at their premises on Chilton Industrial Estate to show how much they have grown and diversified.
They not only recycle unwanted furniture and household goods, but now sell new electrical items, washers, cookers, fridges, flatpack furniture and beds.
If you are on benefits or low income you can receive affordable furniture and household goods. CDFHS accept referrals or you can just call in yourself to view what is on offer.
The Big Lottery Fund has provided finance for CDFHS to recycle goods, mainly furniture, giving training and work experience for unemployed people. They also welcome volunteers able to offer a few hours a week helping destitute or poverty stricken families.
CDFHS also improve people’s employability by offering training, CV writing, job search and interview coaching.
14,000 people visiting them last year and they handled 280 tonnes of bulky domestic goods. They also introduced one of the first Loyalty Card schemes for customers.
In conjunction with the Local Authority and NE First Credit Union they have developed a hardship Loan Guarantee facility.
CDFHS has many partners including Citizens Advice, Durham Foodbank PCP, GACAP, Numbers for Good and RePaint.
With the promise of funding they are searching for more suitable premises to develop the services further.
You are invited to call in and see the vast range of goods on offer at CDFHS, Avenue 3, Chilton Industrial Estate. Tel: 01388 721509.

www.cdfhs.org.uk

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