Brexit – it’s a subject we’re all tired of hearing about, mostly because no-one seems to know what is going on. Every day there seems to be a new headline touting what Britain’s divorce bill from the EU will be, or the repercussions of exiting without a trade deal.
In addition to the unknown impact it could have on industry, there is a human element to Brexit, and that is the cost it will have on the average household.
Reports in the latter part of 2017 were claiming that Britain’s decision to leave the EU was already resulting in the average household paying £400-£600 extra a year on food and household items due to rising import prices.
For a great many that may not sound like a whole lot, but for a young family on a tight budget, or a pensioner who has to decide between whether to have a warm meal or turn their heating on, it’s a princely sum.
Over a quarter of a million people work within our industry and, like a lot of other people, many of them will be feeling the pinch, as will those who have worked and are now retired.
We go through life with blinkers on, naively thinking that we’re immune to the financial troubles only others have to deal with. No-one ever sees themselves getting to the point where they’ve exhausted all other options available to them and are on the brink of despair.
This is where The Furniture Makers’ Company comes in. Our charity has been supporting the welfare of workers from within the furnishing industry for more than 100 years.Today we support current or former employees who have fallen on hard times by providing grants and other financial assistance. These grants could be for essential house repairs, help with the cost of making hospital visits, or even a respite break.
Take Peggy’s story, for example. Peggy lives with her daughter Sharon and dog Joey in their bungalow. Sharon is dependent on her mother, whose husband, Ron, died 12 years ago, at the age of 83.
Peggy had worked at a furniture shop in High Wycombe, and so qualified for a small annuity from our charity. But when she recently received a large bill for essential plumbing work, she was very worried.
We were able to help settle the bill, and we also visited Peggy and her daughter at home to make sure they were comfortable.
This is just one example of how we’ve recently helped someone from the furnishing industry. Every story is different, and we consider each one.
We want every worker within the industry to know that we will be there for them in their time of need. So, how can you help us spread the word? Well, we have recently updated our charity poster, which now has a very clear message that The Furniture Makers’ Company is here for them in times of financial need. You can show your support for the campaign and communicate the message to your employees or colleagues by putting up the poster on your staff noticeboard.
Jonny Westbrooke is chief executive at The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity. For more information about applying for a welfare grant, contact welfare officer Robin Lomas on [email protected].
