Hope City Furniture (HCF), a Derby-based charity that provides free furniture to people in need, has been awarded The King's Award for Voluntary Service. The award is the highest honour a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
HCF was one of 262 local charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups across the UK to receive the award this year. The award was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee and is now given out annually on The King's Birthday.
Representatives of HCF will receive the award crystal and certificate from Elizabeth Fothergill, Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire. Additionally, two volunteers from the charity will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in the summer of 2024.
It is fantastic to be able to congratulate Richard & Fiona in receiving this prestigious accolade on behalf of HCF. HCF is committed to providing good quality furniture and household items free of charge to those who have been rehoused due to sudden or unexpected crises. Each year, the charity receives between 150 to 200 referrals from various organisations, departments of the council, and charities across Derby. Through these referrals, hundreds of items of furniture and appliances are given away to people from many different backgrounds.
The recipients of the charities services include women and families rehoused due to domestic violence, refugees, those who have been homeless, victims of human trafficking, those transitioning from supported accommodation into independent living and those experiencing financial difficulty.
To find out more about the work of Hope City Furniture visit their website: hopecityfurniture.org.uk
Learn more about KAVS on gov.uk