Industry charity brings some Christmas magic to struggling workers

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, brought some Christmas magic to the homes of hundreds of industry colleagues in December by awarding them a surprise grant.

Throughout 2020 the charity supported people in the UK furnishing trade who were affected by COVID-19 – whether they had been made redundant, furloughed on reduced pay or shielding/isolating and unable to work – by awarding more than 1,000 Personal Support Grants.     

Wishing to spread some joy to those who had been hardest hit, the charity organised for a surprise Christmas grant of £100 to be awarded to hundreds of families the organisation had helped throughout the year.

Jonny Westbrooke, CEO at The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “2020 was an incredibly difficult year for everybody particularly those who had their livelihoods disrupted because of the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns. Christmas is always a time of year that puts pressure on the purse strings and, after the year we had, the festive season was going to be harder than normal for many families. We were delighted to spread some Christmas cheer by awarding an additional grant to some of the people who reached out for help last year.”

One of the recipients said: “Thank you so much for organising the extra Christmas grant which comes as a particular blessing at this time of year. It will help ease the current burden of stress immeasurably. Thank you for all the hard work you do, and once again my greatest gratitude to The Furniture Makers’ Company for their continued support.”

Another beneficiary said: “What amazing support The Furniture Makers’ Company has given us this last year – and to have gifted us a further £100. Thank you for this lovely news and please be assured it is gratefully received and very much appreciated.”

The charity continues to support people affected by the third lockdown and is also welcoming non-COVID related applications for people experiencing general financial hardship. If you or someone you know who works or has worked in the furnishing industry is struggling financially, please call Sue Dean, welfare officer, on 020 7562 8528 or email welfareofficer@furnituremakers.org.uk.

Alternatively, you can download information about The Furniture Makers’ Company’s financial support: https://www.furnituremakers.org.uk/welfare/.