IKEA's Christmas makeover for Sheffield homeless scheme

Christmas has come early for Sheffield homeless thanks to a furniture giant's generous cash splash.
"Home is the most important place in the world": IKEA, set to open Sheffield store in summer, stay true to their word with homeless scheme seasonal gifts donation"Home is the most important place in the world": IKEA, set to open Sheffield store in summer, stay true to their word with homeless scheme seasonal gifts donation
"Home is the most important place in the world": IKEA, set to open Sheffield store in summer, stay true to their word with homeless scheme seasonal gifts donation

Ahead of summer opening of their city branch, IKEA has donated more than £2,000 worth of household items - ranging from home starter packs to lamps, tables and soft furnishings - to Sheffield Thursday Project.

Run by South Yorkshire Housing Association, the initiative works with locals who have a history of homelessness and variety of other needs, including mental health problems, anti-social behaviour, alcohol and substance misuse.

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Working alongside customers, the scheme gives them a safe place to call home, aiming to increase their confidence, teach them life skills and help them find a permanent place to live. Last five years has seen over 95% of people in the project live independently in their own new home.

News also coincides with SYHA’s plans to mark 50th anniversary of Ken Loach’s landmark homelessness film Cathy Come Home, sampled here. They are running a range of new year events that aim to explore how issues of homelessness have changed since 1966, and what we can all do to help combat today's homelessness across the region.

Sheffield Thursday Project service manager Andrew Laycock said: “Most customers don’t have any possessions or funds to purchase even the most basic of items. The furniture will make such a difference to the lives of our customers, and really help them to settle into their new home.

“We can’t thank IKEA enough for their kind donation and we hope to continue our relationship with them for years to come.”

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To find out more about support on offer from Sheffield Thursday Project and the other homeless services provided by South Yorkshire Housing Association visit www.syha.co.uk/LiveWell site while Homes for Cathy campaign information is available at www.syha.co.uk/cathy site.