Furniture bank has helped hundreds struggling in Suffolk

Becky Warnock, 41, is the director of local community for the Forge Community Church which runs the furniture bank from Athelington.

Offering furniture of all kinds, including beds, sofas, tables and chairs, the furniture bank has helped hundreds of people in the last eight years.

"We recently helped a single mum with four kids who had one single bed in the house," said Mrs Warnock.

"They would take it in turns to sleep on the bed and the rest would sleep on the floor with no carpet.

"Sadly, that's not an uncommon scenario."

Furniture bank founder John Collison, 69, repairing a sofa. (Image: Becky Warnock)

With up to 20 referrals each month, Mrs Warnock says there are plenty who get by with very little in the local area.

The cost-of-living crisis has seen their demand risen by 30% since February 2022, with beds being the most sought after item.

"We've had a lot of referrals from refugees in Ipswich," she added.

"But the need comes from all across Suffolk from people in so many different scenarios."

Set up by 69-year-old John Collison after his retirement, the furniture bank has helped hundreds of people in the eight years it's been running.

A team of volunteers work four days a week to repair donations, run the hardship fund, deliver the furniture to their new homes and help buy new mattresses.

The Church is currently looking at expanding their premises from the furniture store currently located in Athelington. (Image: Becky Warnock)

"We're passionate about wanting to help people," said Mrs Warnock.

"It's all of our responsibilities to care for one another."

Responding to rising demand, the Forge Community Church is now looking for a more publicly-accessible premises to share alongside its Moses project, which provides essential baby items to struggling families.