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9 LIVES FURNITURE NEWS

DUE TO CUSTOMER DEMANDS WE HAVE CHANGED OUR OPENING HOURS

A late night has been requested constantly by customers over the last two years. We recently conducted a survey asking customers about hours and changes we could do to make shopping here more accessible. The survey showed a clear 74% of customers wanted a late night. From Monday 31st October we have new hours to meet this need. The shop will now close on a Monday and open late on a Wednesday. Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday evenings.

Our opening hours from 31st October
SUN-MON CLOSED
TUES 9 am - 4 pm
WED 9 am - 7 pm
THURS-FRI 9 am - 4 pm
SAT 9 am - 12 noon

9 Lives open day / A.G.M

It has now become a tradition for 9 lives to create an open day prior to the AGM. This year was no different. People are invited to look around the full facilities and find out what really goes on behind the scenes.

There were classes in action and many displays of how to recycle furniture and household goods.

Display showing alternative uses for bric-a-brac

Annette cutting and packing material squares for customers to buy.

The AGM with our thanks was opened by the Chairman of Three Rivers Council, Cllr Chris Whately-Smith.

Our Chairman Deborah Durkin spoke describing the previous year, accounts for 2010 – 2011 where agreed and the meeting was drawn to a close after a raffle was drawn. The morning was a great success and all staff, volunteers and trustees worked very hard.

The following pictures were taken by Sean Dempsey, a photographer who volunteered to come along.

Albert [trustee] and Donna [staff]         Gary [volunteer] in the workshop

Jason [VOLUNTEER] explaining his role at 9 Lives

Marie [Manager] with Cllr Whately-Smith and Sara North [Thrive Homes]

Copyright Sean Dempsey 2011

New Van

A huge thank you to West Herts Charity Trust who have donated a NEW van to the scheme

Manager Marie accepting the keys from the chair Mr Masters of West Herts Charity Trust

The new vehicle was given to 9 Lives Furniture by West Herts Charity Trust on Thursday 26th May. The vehicle, which comes complete with an automatic tail lift to help carry heavy furniture, will be used to make ten trips a day, for five days a week.  Our other van was getting old and beginning to deteriorate in looks! We wanted one which was safer for our guys and with more notable signage. The new van is a great asset to the charity, and more people should notice it on the road as it has such great clear signage. The old van will be refurbished by West Herts Charity trust and serviced to allow another charity to use it.

   West Herts Charity , Chairman and Trustees

THANK YOU TO WEST HERTS CHARITY TRUST

Volunteers and staff with the new van

9 Lives at the Canal Festival

A great weekend was had by all who helped on the stall at the canal festival. Our aim was to spread the word about what people sometimes call ‘the best kept secret in Rickmansworth’ which is our 9 lives showroom.

There was a huge interest in our project, with lots of people really pleased to discover us and will be coming down to look around. There was a raffle with prizes of a bedside cabinet and small table that had been restored by our students, raising £78.

So I want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff, volunteers and trustees that gave up their weekend to make it such a great success.

Looking forward to next year!

Eddie giving leaflets out at the festival                                         Some of the team

University students raise money for 9 lives

Hannah Meyer, Ben Woodbridge, Granit Zeneli and Joey Bubb are first year students currently studying at Bucks University in High Wycombe. As part of their degree they needed to organise a fundraising event for a charity of their choice. Joe, who used to attend St Clement Danes in Chorleywood, had previously been involved in fundraising for us, so knew the charity well.

The ‘Fantastic Four’, as we like to call them, organised a gig in their local pub. Bands participated with no charge and an entrance fee was voluntary. Tins were rattled all night. The Fantastic Four then prepared an exhibition at the University and had the tins rattling again. The exhibition was very well presented and our Manager Marie went along to give her support. The Fantastic Four raised £150 pounds, we would like to thank them very much for their hard work and look forward to working with them again.

New website launched

We're delighted to welcome you to our new website, designed collaboratively between our manager Marie and our web designer. Featuring more news about 9 Live Furniture, information for buyers as well as donors and supporters, and a new gallery, the site is designed to be as accessible as possible.

The funds were raised by the chair of our Trustees, Deborah Durkin, through the Business Link grant scheme.

We welcome feedback about the site.

OUR OBJECTIVES

'Giving people and furniture a second chance'

Download our 2010 - 2011 Annual review here

2009-10 Annual review here.

Our aims and objectives are to help residents of Watford, Three Rivers and surrounding areas who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress by the provision of furniture and accessories and to provide vocational training, support and work experience for those who volunteer at the scheme.

We aim to achieve this by:

• Collecting good quality, donated furniture and other household effects which are no longer required by the owners and would otherwise be destined for landfill.
• Displaying furniture and household effects so that people in need can choose from these and have them delivered to their homes if desired.
• Recruiting and supporting unemployed volunteers, specifically but not exclusively, people recovering from mental health problems or who have a learning disability. The volunteers are offered training to enable them to gain confidence and learn skills that will prepare them for work.
  

OUR MISSION

9 Lives Furniture maximises the reuse of good quality furniture and prevents it from reaching landfill.

We open doors for people in our community, our services and training opportunities help people build self esteem and confidence, providing stability and facilitate social inclusion.

OUR TRUSTEES

Deborah Durkin – Chair
Irvin Cohen – Treasurer
Rosemary Hadfield – Trustee
Albert Perahia – Trustee
Dolly Torkilsden – Trustee
Pat Walton – Trustee

Jon Adlard - Trustee

We welcome enquiries from people who are interested in becoming a Trustee of 9 Lives Furniture. Please contact us for more information.

OUR CHARITY STATUS

9 Lives Furniture is a non-profit-making organisation, with a board of trustees run by a manager, a small staff and a team of willing volunteers.

We provide vocational training, support and work experience to people who volunteer — specifically (but not exclusively) volunteers who are recovering from mental health problems or who have a learning disability.

We aim to prevent as much furniture and bulky waste as possible going to landfill sites, which is good for the environment.

Watford and Three Rivers Furniture Re-cycling Scheme, trading as ‘9 Lives Furniture’ is a registered charity number 1096086 and company limited by guarantee (company number 4375649).