Providing free beds for children and tackling furniture poverty in Harrogate

Essential Needs is a Harrogate based charity that has helped tackle furniture poverty in the local community since 1995. While seen as an affluent town, Harrogate’s hidden areas of deprivation tell a different story. Data shows that 7% of children in Harrogate live in poverty, compared to 17% across England.

Supporting those in need

Essential Needs collects donated furniture, household items and electrical appliances, offering them to individuals and families in need at an affordable price. People with means-tested benefits or low incomes can access an additional 35% discount.

The charity works in partnership with local organisations, including homeless shelters, addiction recovery centres and domestic violence charities. They provide essential furniture for people moving into unfurnished accommodation, helping them create a new home and a fresh start. In addition to supporting individuals and families, Essential Needs service is environmentally sustainable, reusing 155 tonnes of furniture and electrical items in 2023–24 alone.

Tackling child bed poverty

In April 2024, Essential Needs launched a free bed scheme to combat child bed poverty in the Harrogate area. This initiative follows a 2023 Barnardo’s report estimating that up to 890,000 children across the UK do not have their own beds — something many of us take for granted. Through the scheme, up to 75 free single beds have been provided to children who were previously sleeping on the floor, sofa or with another sibling.

Recognising that many of these children also lack proper bedding, Essential Needs successfully applied for funding from THE LOCAL FUND to provide 50 bed packs with essentials such as duvets, pillows and sheets. So when a family comes to collect a bed, they receive everything needed to ensure their child can sleep comfortably.

Community involvement

Essential Needs has built strong relations in the local community, working closely with schools to identify children who may need their service.

The charity’s Harrogate store showcases the bedding packs, prompting visitors to ask about the initiative. These conversations allow staff to share the story behind their mission and raise awareness of the free bed scheme. The increased visibility has further strengthened Essential Needs’ reputation as a vital part of the community.

Making a difference

The impact of Essential Needs’ work has been life-changing for many families in crisis.

They recently supported a single parent with four children living in a rented home severely affected by mould. The mould had destroyed the children’s beds, leaving them without proper sleeping arrangements. When the family was rehoused, Essential Needs stepped in to provide two new beds and bedding packs, helping them start fresh in a healthier environment.

A young father also came to them, as he was granted custody visits with his son but couldn’t have overnight stays because he didn’t have a bed for his child. Essential Needs provided a bed and bedding pack, allowing him to create a safe and welcoming space for his son to stay.

Schools refer families to the scheme when they establish children are sleeping on broken mattresses or directly on the floor because replacements are unaffordable. Essential Needs are there to ensure as many children as possible receive the comfort of a proper bed.

Give your support to other Yorkshire community groups

When you donate to Two Ridings, you enable vital projects like this one to happen. Your generosity makes a tangible difference in local people’s lives, creating opportunities and delivering life-changing support.

Making an impact is simple: just click, donate, and help transform lives.

Donate now