Furniture poverty on the rise, charity says

Furniture poverty on the rise, charity says6 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleEmma Glasbey,Yorkshire home and social affairs correspondentandSteve Jones,YorkshireEmma Glasbey/BBCEssential Services manager Lee Wright says demand is on the riseA North Yorkshire charity working to combat furniture poverty has said it has seen a "big increase" in demand for its services.Essential Needs, based in Harrogate, sells second-hand furniture and essential household items at affordable prices to those in need.A government report published last year estimated that one in seven children in the UK were in "deep material poverty", defined as lacking at least four out of 13 essential items like adequate clothing, heating and a safe, well-maintained home.Lee Wright, who manages Essential Needs, said: "We regularly come across people who don't have carpets on the floor. We have got children that are sleeping on mattresses on cold, damp floors.""We are seeing a big increase in demand in the last year or so," Wright explained."We are regularly getting 10 to 15 new customers every week who are coming in to purchase items that they can't afford to purchase elsewhere."Brian Summerson, an Essential Needs customer, described the charity as a "life saver"."It's absolutely crucial. The price of furniture from new is expensive," he said."This is an absolute lifeline for many people."Emma Glasbey/BBCBrian Summerson says the service is an "absolute lifeline"Another Harrogate-based charity, Lifeline, which helps to provide housing to homeless and vulnerable people, has been working with Essential Needs to furnish accommodation.Adam Clarke, who recently moved into a property with the help of both charities after a spell in rehab, said: "It's the most important thing in life, your home."The cost of living now is extortionate, so things like this are so essential at the...