A CHARITY furniture project which helps disadvantaged people furnish their home has received a new accreditation.

The Gateway Furniture project, based at the Trinity Centre in Westlea, received the prestigious Approved Re-Use Centre (ARC) status awarded by the Furniture Re-use Network.

Gateway joins 60 other organisations in receiving ARC status, which means it can now receive furniture from bigger outlets such as IKEA as part of the group, enabling it to cope more efficiently with increasing demand.

The project, Set up by furniture project manager Dawn Prosser five years ago, it provides furniture, household appliances and electrical items to those in need free of charge or in exchange for a small donation or free of charge.

Dawn, from Gorse Hill, said it was a full-time job keeping the furniture project supplied with good quality items.

“We see about 50 people a month and provide them with four items each so it can be quite difficult to find everything we need,” she said. “It’s something we’ve been working towards for a good few months so it’s great news to receive ARC status.

“People in Swindon have been really generous since we opened and we hope this will help us out even more.

“The certification is about giving assurance of service and recognition of professionalism.

“It’s a badge of integrity and quality assurance and is likely to open up all sorts of opportunities for us.

“We’re thrilled to have been recognised and want to thank all the volunteers and those who donate furniture and time who have made this possible.”

The project currently operates out of three locations – The Gate shop in Havelock square, a warehouse in Westlea and the first floor of Avebury House, which is used to display beds.

From the middle of January to February this year the project helped 82 local households with 251 items of furniture, 24 white goods and 40 starter packs – items such as pots, pans, bedding, towels, crockery and cutlery.

Dawn said: “It’s lovely to be able to help people. Recently a lady moved into her property with her son who has special needs. She spent £50 on a sofa at a local charity shop and then came to us as that’s all she had – and the clothes she was standing in.

“She was referred for beds and bedroom furniture but we were then able to provide so much more to help her on her way.

“She said she was completely overwhelmed by the service and friendliness of staff.”

Gateway is now looking for donations of good quality clothing, toys and bridal wear for their Havelock square shop. To donate call 01793 683 146 or 07714 091011.