What’s the reality of running a charity?

Emily Wheeler, founder of our charity partner Furnishing Futures, who create healing homes for women fleeing domestic abuse, reflects on 2023

What’s been the biggest change for Furnishing Futures this year?

This has been a year of huge change and growth as we moved into our first-ever warehouse and offices at the end of 2022, which has been transformative for us. We’ve been able to save 36,000 kilos of beautiful furniture donated by the interiors industry from landfill, and increase the number of trauma-informed healing homes we’ve created for women and children escaping domestic abuse.

And the biggest challenge?

Our toughest challenge has been the poor condition of the flats and houses women are given, and finding professional decorators and floor fitters who are available to help us transform them into homes. We’ve also struggled with fundraising and managing our cash flow as a small charity, and juggling our rapid growth with lots of demand for our support as a tiny team. Many people don’t realise it was only me on staff until this summer, and we’re now in the fortunate position of being able to recruit a small permanent team as well as our wonderful volunteers. This will really support our growth and the impact we have.

Tell us your highlight.

Every home we’ve created has been a highlight because the impact is so enormous for the families. It really is life-changing for them. The women we support, and sometimes their children too, send us beautiful testimonials about how our work has saved their lives and it is always emotional for us to hear.

What’s the one thing you know now that you wish you’d known at the start of the year?

That we would continue to get such wonderful support and grow such an amazing team of volunteers. You never know how things will work out when you start something new, but the support we’ve received from volunteers, brands and designers has been incredible.

What plans do you have for the charity for 2024?

We will be transforming four women’s refuges with some incredible interior designers; creating many more healing homes for women and children in need and we are also going to be developing a beneficiaries’ advisory board so that our services are shaped by the voices of the women we support. I’m particularly excited about this. We also hope to offer training and employment opportunities for the women, wellbeing sessions and family support.

Refuge renovations

Emily is working on the second phase of the transformation of a refuge in east London with Rebecca Wakefield, designer and founder of Studio Fortnum, collaborating with House Nine Design and Laura Hammett on this project. The next phase is the seven bedrooms, an outdoor playroom and garden, and the bathrooms.

Furnishing Futures are also working on three communal living spaces and playrooms with designer Clare Gaskin for Solace Women’s Aid refuges in north London. All of the projects are in progress and due for completion by the end of April 2024.

How you can help

Donate goods by contacting donate@furnishingfutures.org, volunteer to help at volunteer@furnishingfutures.org or buy a charity gift online.