The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is encouraging businesses to promote the charity’s support services to their employees with the help of a free box of resources.
The new materials have been created to make it easier for companies across the furnishing industry to raise awareness of the practical, financial and mental health support available through The Furniture Makers’ Company’s benevolent fund.
Available to request as a free welfare support pack, the materials include posters, rollfold leaflets, A5 leaflets and mental health support business cards, giving employers a range of resources that can be displayed in workplaces, shared with teams and provided directly to colleagues who may need assistance.
Making support more visible
The charity provides confidential support to people working in the furnishing industry, as well as those who have previously worked in the sector, offering help during challenging periods in their lives. This includes guidance, financial assistance and access to dedicated mental health support.
Jonny Westbrooke of The Furniture Makers’ Company said: “One of the biggest challenges we face is ensuring people across the industry know that support is available when they need it.
“These new materials have been designed to make it as simple as possible for businesses to spread the word among their teams. Whether displayed in a factory, showroom, office or staff room, these resources could be the first step towards someone reaching out and receiving life-changing support.
A lifeline during difficult times
“We encourage every business in the furnishing industry to request a pack and help us make sure no colleague feels they have to face difficult times alone.”
The launch forms part of The Furniture Makers’ Company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the welfare and wellbeing of the furnishing industry, ensuring individuals and families can access help when they need it most.
Companies interested in receiving a free welfare support pack can request one by completing an online form: https://bit.ly/FMCWelfare
How the charity helps – Sean’s story
Following the death of his mother-in-law, Sean faced unexpected financial pressure while trying to contribute towards her funeral costs. As the sole earner in his household, meeting these additional expenses was extremely difficult at an already emotional and challenging time.
Sean is a lecturer at Chichester College in West Sussex and a former cabinet maker who has dedicated 40 years to the furniture industry. For the past 28 years, he has shared his knowledge and experience with students, helping to train the next generation entering the trade.
Sean reached out to The Furniture Makers’ Company for financial support. He described his mother-in-law as a kind and generous woman who had played a significant role in supporting him at the beginning of his career in furniture making. During his early training and throughout his working life in the trade, her encouragement and generosity had meant a great deal to him.
Being able to contribute towards her funeral was therefore deeply important to Sean, as a way of expressing gratitude for the support she had given him over many years. His application for assistance was successful, and he was awarded a grant towards the cost of the funeral.
This support helped ease the immediate financial burden and brought some relief to Sean and his family during an extremely difficult period of loss.
