A Leeds based furniture reuse charity has just appointed a new Operations and Development Manager. Hannah Metcalf (left) comes to the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store following two decades working in the charitable sector: firstly with St Gemma’s Hospice and then for the last ten years with the Leeds and Wakefield branch of the RSPCA.
Hannah replaces John Gamson (centre) who retires next month who in turn, in March 2010 took over the role from former NHS manager Terry Kelly (right).
Now based at Seacroft the charity which collects and redistributes unwanted furniture to people in need began life at Moortown Baptist Church, Leeds in 1986 when a number of people realised that for every three-piece suite, bed, wardrobe etc. that they and their friends were replacing someone else might appreciate their old one. In those days cellars, attics and garages were used for storage whilst car boots and even an old horse box were used for deliveries. Now, however, in the last full year and in response to referrals from Leeds City Council and scores of other statutory and voluntary agencies the Store made well over 2,000 collections and deliveries, made up of over 13,000 separate items. This on top of the work of its trading arm, LMFS Trading Ltd, which supplies new furniture, furnishings and white goods to a growing list of third sector clients.
“This is a real challenge,” says Hannah “and it’s one I’m really looking forward to taking on. There are an enormous number of people in need and if we can help them by providing some of the most basic items of household furniture then that’s great. We have a wonderful staff team and some brilliant volunteers. I think what I’m looking forward to most is continuing the work and enhancing the reputation of L&MFS whilst at the same time, as and when I can introducing a few new ideas of my own.”