Megamove of furniture

We are very grateful for the Dacorum Borough Council funded storage unit that allows us to keep a stock of smaller items such as preloved bedding, towels, blankets, curtains, crockery, cutlery, cooking pots & pans, pushchairs; donated toiletries from a local Church; a small stock of carpet tiles which we offer to families in temporary accommodation with bare floorboards. 

We also keep a small stock of sleeping bags and sleeping mats in the Unit. 

An HWR volunteer goes into the Storage Unit regularly and makes up starter packs for households in the Positive Move On Process.  

Although we have previously put small items of furniture into the Unit, we found the logistics of moving these items in and out of storage too challenging. At times the Unit became dangerously overcrowded with these items. 

So we generally say that we cannot provide items of furniture unless we are offered exceptionally good quality donations where we will hire a van to take items direct from the donor to Refugee households. 

In January 2026 we were offered first pick of a whole household of furniture where (for personal reasons) the donor was keen for items to go to Refugees.  

Our Area Convenor Jane  visited the house to assess the items and decided that the offer was outstanding in terms of quality and quantity of items so HWR hired a man & a van at a cost of more than £400 to take advantage of this. 

On 26th January 2026, all the items were collected and then delivered to 12 households (10 in Dacorum): 4 double beds with mattresses, 2 sofas, 8 dining chairs, 7 chests of drawers, 2 large rugs, 3 armchairs, 7 side tables, a dining table, a sideboard, a wardrobe.  

It is a logistical and communication challenge but immensely satisfying to get messages of thanks afterwards: 

‘I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are the joy of my children. Thank you.’ 

The family who were clearing their relative’s house were so pleased that the contents were going to homes where they were desperately needed. With refugee backgrounds themselves they told us “We know what it is like to be forced to flee our homes with nothing.” 

We were also able to replenish our stocks of preloved kitchen goods and towels in the Unit which will benefit future moves.