Homestart Initiative

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Overview

The cost of furnishing a home is significant and, oftentimes, a barrier to obtaining accommodation in the private rented sector in and of itself. To address the challenges faced by refugees in securing essential furniture, we’ve created a unique solution. 

Under our Homestart Initiative, Nadiya and IKEA established a unique partnership in order to let refugees feel more comfortable to move into a new accommodation without  worrying about the cost of the new furniture. We can loan a wide range of furniture — including beds, tables, chairs, sofas, household appliances, and more — to refugees at zero cost and for as long as required. 

While there is no charge, we retain legal ownership of all items under our redistribution model, so they can be collected and reused when they’re no longer required — thereby helping other families in need and extending the life cycle of the furniture.

Our primary aim is to alleviate the financial burden on refugees, enabling them to allocate their limited means on other essential needs — and empower refugees by providing them with the resources to create comfortable, safe, and welcoming homes. 

Furniture delivered to our beneficiaries

How can we help?

We believe that access to basic necessities transcends mere comfort; it restores dignity, and ensures a smooth transition and a sense of stability as refugees rebuild their lives.

We can:

Loan a wide range of furniture for as long as required and at no cost

Loan a wide range of household appliances for as long as required and at no cost

How does Homestart work?

1

Request

2

Delivery

A direct request from the refugee/referral from a third-sector partner is made. This includes the completion of our Homestart Initiative Questionnaire, which collects all pertinent information about the applicant’s needs.

Upon confirmation that all items are in stock, the applicant signs the relevant legal agreement. Working with a specialist logistics company, we arrange delivery directly to the applicant’s home on an agreed date.

3

What happens next?

The applicant keeps the furniture for as long as required. It can be a few months or a few years. Once the items are no longer required, we coordinate the seamless collection and redistribution to other applicants in need.

One sofa. Infinite homes. In furtherance of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 12 — Sustainable Cities and Communities and Responsible Consumption and Production — our Homestart Initiative’s redistribution model embraces circularity by promoting the reuse of furniture. This approach reduces waste, extends the lifecycle,  and maximises impact.    

Sustainability is very important to us. We endeavour to be a responsible steward of our planet.

Eligibility

If you would like to request furniture under our Homestart Initiative, you must:

  • Be a Ukrainian (🇺🇦) national with valid leave to remain under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Family Scheme, or Ukraine Extension Scheme

  • Be an Afghan (🇦🇫) national with valid leave to remain under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, Ex Gratia Scheme, or Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme

  • Be an Ethiopian (🇪🇹), Iraqi (🇮🇶), Iranian (🇮🇷), Sudanese (🇸🇩), South Sudanese (🇸🇸), Syrian (🇸🇾), Eritrean (🇪🇷), or Yemeni (🇾🇪) national with valid leave to remain under the UK Resettlement Scheme, Community Sponsorship, Mandate Scheme, or Family Reunion Policy

Do you need help?

If you are in need of assistance, or for any other queries regarding our Homestart Initiative, please email us at homestart@nadiya.org.uk.

Please note that we are experiencing significant demand and we will aim to respond within 48 hours.

Feedback

“Nadiya and IKEA’s help was like a miracle. It was peaceful and cozy, with that feeling where you have no more strength to worry and fight, but now you understand that everything is going to be just fine; that the ocean of life has washed you ashore. We have endless gratitude and thank the team for helping us at our lowest time in life.”

Liudmyla, from Kryvyi Rih, with her grandson Robert, at their home in London, England, which was completely furnished through our Homestart Initiative, and with the very generous support of IKEA.

FAQs

  • Unfortunately, no. At the moment, we’re a small organisation with limited resources. If you really need help with assembly, please contact us and we can try and put you in touch with a volunteer who can help.

  • You are welcome to keep the items as long as you require. However, you must let us know if you no longer require the items so that we can collect and redistribute them to other families in need.

  • There is no charge for the furniture itself. However, we do charge a delivery and collection fee — though, where possible, we aim to levy this on the relevant local authority.