An Aberdeen man has set up a venture to provide a comfortable home environment for some of the city’s poorest residents.
Ian Armstrong, who was employed as a community worker for more than 25 years, has started Remove-Rehome-Recycle at the Winfex Centre in Craigshaw Drive.
He said: “In the line of work I’m in I’ve worked in some of the poorest areas of the city. There are seven areas in Aberdeen classed as regeneration areas.
“The last statistics show one in 10 children living on the borderline of poverty and there’s a huge need for families setting up homes to get the help they need.
“Although Aberdeen is an oil rich city and an oil rich capital, the poverty in the city is a hidden issue and a lot of people don’t know how bad it is. People can’t afford to set up a healthy, happy home to bring up their kids.”
Mr Armstrong’s main aim is to assist families on low income by helping them furnish their homes as comfortably as possible.
He and his colleagues have been working hard to stock the warehouse through a variety of donations and house clearances.
They are also operating a “two men and a van” service and offer the public a cheap way to get rid of unwanted furniture.
“People can donate anything, but it needs to be in a reasonable condition,” said Mr Armstrong.
“If we get something like a settee that doesn’t have fire safety labels then we can’t sell it, but we can take it away and recycle it for a small fee.
“What we’re looking to do is to help people. If someone needs a bed for their child then they can come and get one, as long as they’re referred to us.”
As well as providing furniture for needy families, the warehouse is open for the public to purchase items. The money raised goes back into essential running costs.
The shop is open Tuesday-Friday from 11am-4pm, and on Saturdays from 10am-1pm. There will be a special sale next Saturday from 10am. For more information call Mr Armstrong on 07938 123585.