Area covered
The area we cover is bounded by Masham in the North, Collingham & Boston Spa in the South, Greenhow in the West, & Long Marston in the East, and most points in between! If you live outside of this area and have internet access you could look at the “donate furniture” tab on www.frn.org.uk , or please let me know your nearest large town, and I may be able to give you the telephone number of a nearby store.
Viewing
Due to a shortage of volunteers who can “shift and lift”, and at the suggestion from several donors over the years, we have a policy of pre viewing all the items offered. The driver will come out and view the items, assessing it’s compliance with any necessary legislation, age, size, style and condition – basically ensure that we stand a good chance of being able to re-use the item. Once assessed, if we have two people on the van and it is convenient to you, the items will be collected there and then. If it is not convenient to you, or there is only one person on the van, he will leave a collection note so you can arrange a collection when convenient, or he will make an appointment with you as to when he can return with a colleague to actually do the uplift. Under health and safety risk assessments, we cannot allow anyone to assist the driver in moving large items, other than our trained people.
Fire Regulations
Anything with any fabric on it must have a label attached which confirms that it conforms to the Furniture Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations of 1988 (or later).
Relevant Labels:
For a bed: a white label, with a blue border, & a pictogram of a cigarette on it. See example.
For a sofa or chair: a label attached to the frame (not a loose cushion) that actually quotes the relevant act, or a part of the Act (it could be talking about Schedule 3 interliners, cigarette tests, match tests etc.) See example.
- If it doesn’t have the appropriate label, we are not legally permitted to pass on the item
- The fabric should be in good condition and beds must be totally unmarked
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- Sample Bed Fire Label
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- Sample Sofa Fire Label
Items we are unable to re-use
For a variety of reasons we are unable to accept the following items:
- Dishwashers, Microwaves, Stereo’s, TV’s and VCR’s and light fittings
- Dining tables except gate leg drop leaf tables
- Kitchen cupboards
- Sideboards
- Dressing Tables
- Hall stairs & landing carpet
- Upholstered items manufactured outside of the UK
This is not a definitive list. If you have any queries, please talk to us about the items concerned.
Collections
We collect between Monday & Thursday, morning (8.30-12) or afternoon (12.30-4.30)
We regret we are not able to be any more specific on timing, as you will be one of approximately twelve jobs, and we try to run the van in the most cost efficient route.
Driver’s Discretion
Donors are not always objective in describing the size/condition of items and, for that reason, the driver is the final arbiter as to whether we can re-use the item. If he believes we cannot, he will politely decline to accept the item(s).
I hope the above information is helpful. If you have suitable items to donate, please leave your name, address telephone number and brief details and I or a colleague will get in touch to arrange a collection time. As an organisation which relies on volunteers, this could invariably limit our capacity to collect. We might be able to get out fairly quickly, but it may well be a week or more before we can arrange collection but we will fit you in the diary at the first available opportunity.
Martin Brassington
Essential Needs
Back Gladstone Street
Harrogate
HG2 8DF
Tel: 01423 870 040
Fax: 01423 870 040
e-Mail: martin@essentialneeds.org.uk
Opening Times
Monday to Thursday 9am to 4.30pm
Friday 9 to 11.45am
Essential Needs is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5312941
Registered Charity No. 1108046
