new council tenants, need help to get funding for new carpets, furnishings etc

C_Mababejive

We got a letter from the parish priest to go get second hand furniture from a big charity warehouse...tha' doesnt know tha's born...

hermum

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You can do children a lot of damage if you put them in one of those!;)

Yes but it might toughen them up, on second thoughts it will soften the skin further, so best not to.
It really wasn't that long ago that carpets were seen as an almost luxury item.
I don't think our bedrooms had carpets when I was a kid, I loved all the pretty patterns on the windows in the mornings where the windows were iced up inside, nothing to do with carpets I know.
The coal fire was lit mid to late afternoon, we didn't need any heating in the bedrooms as we were 5 in one room, 4 in another.
A bath on Sundays whether we needed it or not.
The only thing I thought that I was lacking as a child was being allowed to sit on the doorstep & eat a jam sandwich, my Nan nearly had a fit at the very idea.:rotfl:
I think that in the OP's position I would just be pleased that I had got a council property, during the summer the kids will probably spend lots of time outside, in the winter stick a couple pairs of trousers on them or by that time you should have managed to save up for a rug for the lounge.
Don't forget that wooden floors are healthier therefore safer than carpets.

NeverInDebt

In some areas they have charities that do up furniture and the like and sell cheap sometimes offering discounts for people on benefits

Dont turn house down as you may not get another chance

Might be worth asking around friends, relative for help.

millym

As others have said try ebay and freecycle/freegle. I did, and was amazed at the quality of stuff that people give away. There are always people getting rid of carpets, as they can't really be sold second hand.

I got some great stuff on ebay - tv for £10, coffee table for £3 etc. Still using them now. They do seem very strict about crisis loans. I had to move because of complex medical reasons, and even so, had to appeal.

If you wish to appeal, you must do so as soon as possible, as there is a time limit, but be aware that it took months for mine to be sorted out. Good luck in your new home!

katiesmummy

I second what others have said about Freecycle- I moved into a completely empty house from refuge and managed to get quite a lot from Freecycle- some people are even kind enough to deliver if you have no transportation.

Carpets are not a necessity- when I moved in here my son was 16 months old and up until now I have only managed to get flooring for the lounge- everywhere else is still bare. It doesn't look great but we make the best of it!

If its floorboards that you have, maybe you could actually keep them and hire a sander to smooth them over, as someone else suggested, bang the protruding nails in with a hammer so they're not dangerous to anyone and then hey presto- real wood floors that will look fantastic with a nice rug.

I will also add that I lived in my house for 6 weeks with myself and the kids sleeping on the floor until I started getting things from Freecycle and received the small CCG I was awarded.

Ask family/friends if they have some basics you can borrow- a kettle, microwave, cool box for milk etc, a few bits of cutlery and crockery- most people would be more than willing to lend things for a few weeks- then get Freecycling!

Oh, I would advise not asking for too much in one go- prioritize what you need and ask for a little at a time.

claire_80_2

I was in the same situation a few months ago, and Freegle on Yahoo has been my saviour.

I got some beautiful rugs and have laid them out like carpet and a gorgeous John Lewis sofa and an Ikea sofa bed.

Freddie_Snowbits

If you apply to the council, they will come round and fit a bell in your toilet. That's why, when you mess your backside, the wet nurse can come round and wipe it up for you.

Also reminds me of mumptie at college a few years back who only had a microwave. we convinced him that the council paid higer benfits to him because all he could get was ready meals. His face was a picture when he asked us to read the councils response.

(My Garden shed has a settee in it, pm me, you can live there for £95 a week)

jamespir

try some places like bright house you can pay weekley for the stuff and theres no credit checks

katiesmummy

jamespir wrote: »

try some places like bright house you can pay weekley for the stuff and theres no credit checks

DO NOT DO THIS!!!

I bought a tv from them at the insistence of my ex and they are the nastiest company I have ever dealt with. They charge extortionate fees for what amounts to not very good quality products.

My cooker broke down earlier this year and I went without for 3 months until I was gifted one on freecycle- I would rather eat microwave rubbish than give them any more business.

jamespir

katiesmummy wrote: »

DO NOT DO THIS!!!

I bought a tv from them at the insistence of my ex and they are the nastiest company I have ever dealt with. They charge extortionate fees for what amounts to not very good quality products.

My cooker broke down earlier this year and I went without for 3 months until I was gifted one on freecycle- I would rather eat microwave rubbish than give them any more business.

well everyone has there horror stories