Support Open Hands Furniture Service!

Summary

Over the past 11 years, we have had the privilege of delivering over 10,000 items of furniture items to over 2,300 households in need. With your support we would love to continue this great work. By purchasing a new van, together, we can transform the homes of another 1000 households over the next 5 years.

We provide essential furniture items to individuals and families on low incomes to help them turn their houses into homes. The costs of setting up a new home are ever increasing. Our support helps individuals receive some of these furniture items at no or very low cost, which in turn releases their limited income to allow them to manage their daily living costs alongside other costs associated with setting up their new home. 

Without our support, these individuals would either go without essential furniture items or potentially put themselves into debt to be able to afford the items.  

What do we do?

Since 2008, Open Hands has been supporting people in need in Leicester with emergency essentials (food, clothing, household items and furniture). We love to go the extra mile, offering care, dignity, and hope to everyone we meet. We work with a wide range of local agencies who refer individuals and families to us for support. 

Our furniture service provides access to essential items (beds, sofas, fridges, freezers, microwaves, chests of drawers, dining tables & chairs) to individuals and families in need who are starting a new tenancy. We are fundraising to continue this vital work that is needed in Leicester. 

Who do we support?

We support a wide range of individuals including those starting a tenancy following a period of homelessness, individuals and families fleeing domestic abuse, and those who have recently received refugee status in the UK. 

Supporting Financial Wellbeing

We commonly support people who are moving into properties with no carpets, curtains, white goods or furniture. The costs of purchasing these items are high and ever increasing. Our support helps individuals receive some of these furniture items at no or very low cost, which in turn frees up some of their limited income to allow them to manage their daily living costs alongside other costs associated with setting up their new home. Without our support, these individuals would either go without essential furniture items or potentially put themselves into debt to be able to afford the items.  

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing

The emotional impact of moving into an empty and unfurnished property, with zero home comforts can be overwhelming. It can negatively impact on people’s mental health, making them feel anxious, isolated, and disconnected. It can threaten people’s ability to manage in their home, making them at increased risk of repeat homelessness. 

Guest story (name anonymised)

How the service operates

The Open Hands furniture service works on a referral basis with referrals received from a wide range of organisations including social services, childrens services, housing organisations, NHS and other voluntary sector organisations. 

The vast majority of the items that we distribute are given to us by individual donors, our deliveries in 2024 equated to a total of 18.8 tonnes saved from landfill. Aside from one paid member of staff, an amazing team of committed volunteers runs our furniture service. 

All funds raised will go towards the cost of a new van, with any additional funds raised used to support with the running costs of our project including furniture stock, repairs, and van running costs.

You can also support our furniture service by donating pre-loved, essential furniture items. Please click here for more details.

Together, with your support, we can help even more people turn their houses into a home!