The Furniture Centre exists to provide furniture to people in need in the Wyre Forest and has been operating since 1995. Due to increased demand it moved to it’s current location in Ricketts Close in April 2004 giving the project increased showroom and warehousing space. In October 2006 the project opened up a town centre shop as well to enable it to engage a different client base. This has proved very successful and is helping the project towards its long-term target to be financially self-sustaining; generating enough income through its activities to cover the costs and overheads of the project.

The Centre has grown without grant funding from statutory sources. It has developed partnerships with West Mercia Probation Service, New Deal and Kidderminster College of Further Education to provide placements for work experience helping us considerably with staffing as well as bringing in some income or added value to the organisation from these contracts.

Over the years we have developed good working relationships with organisations such as National Children’s Homes, Health Visitors, different branches of the local Social Services, Community Drugs Team, the St Vincent de Paul Society, Soldiers Army and Airforce Association (SAAFA), Wyre Forest Community Housing, Youth Offending Team and The Women’s Refuge. It is through relationships with agencies such as these, the clients that they bring through our doors and the ‘word of mouth’ effect from satisfied customers that will help the Centre continue to develop.

In recent years the amount of furniture offered by the public has grown tremendously. We therefore now have enough to satisfy the needs of the Statutory bodies and to offer furniture directly to the public through our showroom. We occasionally donate furniture to people who are unable to purchase items, as identified by a professional body.

The Network Furniture Centre will continue to be a community resource and a friendly solution for the environmentally responsible citizen and business. We welcome opportunities to work in partnership with organisations for resources and the development of individuals and our local communities.

These activities have been made possible due to continued support from a number of organisations including The Big Lottery Fund and CRED.