Nine Lives has uncertain future

7:26pm Friday 16th May 2008

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A popular Rickmansworth charity is facing an uncertain future after seeing its National Lottery funding withdrawn.

Nine Lives Furniture, established in 2003, provides training and work experience to people living with learning difficulties and mental health problems by teaching them the art of furniture restoration.

The charity, run from a small shop in Wharf Lane, said it will have to close unless it can secure new funding by the end of the year after its latest three-year application for £300,000 to the Big Lottery Fund was rejected.

Manager Tania Metcalf, who helped set up the organisation in 2003, said she could only cross her fingers and hope that new funding would be secured.

She said: "If we don't find £70,000 we will have to close at the end of the year. We will have six staff out of their jobs but, more importantly, 13 volunteers and trainees unable to attend classes.

"We submitted a new bid until 2011 but we were not successful. Unfortunately the panel deciding on the grants had £29 million of bids and only £7 million of grants to hand out so something had to give.

"But we can't complain about the lottery because they have been fantastic to us. Obviously, though, it is very disappointing news for everyone concerned.

"We have achieved so much over the years and want to go on making a difference to people's lives."

Since it first opened for business Nine Lives has refurbished more than 30,000 items of locally donated furniture; provided high quality, Government-accredited training for vulnerable people and helped dozens of people off benefits and back into work.

Elizabeth Jones, who has frequented the shop for a number of years, was one of many customers to lend their report to the charity.

She said: "This is a brilliant cause which helps disadvantaged people fulfill their lives and contribute to society. They also provide great furniture as well.

"I have been shopping there for years and will be gutted if they have to close down.

"It provides a service for everybody. A lot of people can't afford to buy full price furniture so it is a godsend to them. This is a great local charity and we cannot afford to lose it."

For more information about volunteering for or supporting the charity, please visit www.9livesfurniture.org.uk or telephone 01923 718666.