Good Quality Used Furniture Store Opens at Aycliffe

Discount for People on Benefits

DISC celebrated the launch on 12th September of the More Time Furniture Scheme offering people affordable furniture at their new showroom within the IES Centre near the Blue Bridge.
The Scheme offers furniture for those who need it as well as to the general public. A 25% discount is available for people on qualifying benefits. A dining table and chairs cost on average £50 and prices are kept as low as possible, so it’s definitely worth a visit!
Lesley Cavender, DISC Director, thanked everyone for coming and welcomed Counc. Barbara Clare, Mayor of Great Aycliffe who officially opened the scheme. “We are really proud to welcome you all here today and share with you the opening of our More Time furniture scheme and café. It’s a much needed service in the area and we’re looking forward to being able to help people across Count Durham through the scheme” said Lesley.
Clare Singlewood, DISC Housing Manager, then spoke about the history of the scheme and how it came about. DISC has a long history providing housing support to vulnerable groups, helping people to obtain and maintain accommodation. “We’ve always had ambitions to set up a furniture scheme and with the announcement of the welfare reform changes which was clearly going to result in more people than ever before being in financial hardship, we began seriously exploring the opportunity. At the same time DISC decided to provide a cafe alongside the furniture scheme” said Clare.
Liane Robinson, Manager, spoke about More Time, a social enterprise owned by DISC, offering employment and volunteer opportunities through this scheme and others such as a cleaning contractor and housing renovation in Hull and the North East.
“We have two volunteers on the furniture scheme, helping with deliveries and collections, cleaning up furniture and dealing with customers. We also then have our full time café co-ordinator Gavin who is supported also by three great volunteers, Mark, Anna and J. Mark is fantastic with the customers, a real charmer. Anna bakes all the yummy cakes for and J prefers to be behind the scenes in the kitchen putting his catering experience to use. Volunteers get the opportunity to develop their skills in catering and customer service and they really help enhance the scheme, thank you to all of our volunteers” added Liane.
The Mayor cut the ribbon across the plaque, declaring the scheme officially open and said “Thank you very much for asking me to come along today. I’m really pleased to see the great work you’re doing in the area. Thank you for bringing your vision and experience to help support the people of County Durham.”
More Time is a social enterprise trading subsidiary of DISC specializing in domestic, commercial and building site cleaning. As part of our ongoing development and expansion we are working with DISC Housing Services to deliver and renovate empty homes as well as setting up and opening the furniture scheme and café at Newton Aycliffe.
We are always looking for new volunteers to help support the scheme. If you are interested in learning new skills, meeting new people and giving something back to your local community, we may have the opportunity for you. Volunteers are usually given work wear, a daily lunch allowance and reimbursement of travel expenses to the value of £15 per week.
For further information and an informal discussion please contact Liane Robinson 01325 731 160
Do you need good quality affordable household items? We have a range of good quality refurbished household items which are available at an affordable price, furniture, white goods, beds, children’s furniture & prams, etc.
We can arrange to pick up unwanted furniture donations and organise delivery of goods to your home. Come and visit our showroom, have a browse around, enjoy a cuppa or a bit of lunch while you’re here. Wifi also available.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri – 9am-3pm. Tel: 01325 731 160 email: furniture@disc-vol.org.uk Unit 2, IES Centre, Horndale Avenue. Nr Blue Bridge.