Making a new start themselves as they move into their new Church Street offices are Inverness New Start manager James Dunbar (right) and furniture depot manager Paul McLaughlan.

WHAT happens when you have been through a bad time but at last you get a house - only you have no money to get all the basics such as beds and bedding, table and chairs, dishes and pans and so forth? Around four years ago people working with the homeless in Inverness realised there was a gap in the services that the statutory bodies were able to offer. In collaboration with some local churches a steering group was formed to help fill that gap.

People with household goods no longer needed donated them to Inverness New Start who distributed them to people setting up home on a very tight budget.

The first year Starter Packs, comprising bedding, crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils, plus cleaning items, were handed out to 100 people by volunteers. Even in a few months it was recognised that the need would outstrip the level and range of help that research had indicated.

The first full-time member of staff was James Dunbar. The second year, his first, saw 250 Starter Packs distributed and a pressing need to expand into provision of furniture and other less tangible forms of support such as advice on a range of topics.

“The service has always been led by the needs of people,” said James. “It is necessary to listen to need and remain flexible and not become entrenched. If there is a need and we can meet it we will.”

The provision of furniture was introduced in James’ second year. The need was realised when someone asked for an extra blanket to lie on, and it turned out they had no bed.

A depot was set up to store furniture and other bulky things and then this aspect of the service quickly took off. “People need a bed to sleep on, something to sit on and cook on,” James said. “Last year we helped out 350 households with Starter Packs or items of furniture,” said James. “This year we are on track to helping out 800 in the Inverness area.”

From the earliest days New Start worked closely with the statutory bodies such as housing and social work, and the majority of those they help are referred from them.

They have also maintained their relationship with local churches. “The majority of items are donated by the local community,” said James. “The majority of local churches also support our work -it’s practical Christianity. “ They also work closely with St Vincent de Paul, the Catholic men’s organisation and Faith in Action.

Local businesses have also been supportive - hotels, for instance, when they are refurbishing are happy to know that their unwanted beds, tables, chairs, cookers etc, will go to someone who can make good use of them. “We can never get enough cookers and washing machines,” said James.

New Start now has seven full-time and three part-time workers as well as a team of volunteers. A lot of people enjoy volunteering. For the unemployed, it is an opportunity to learn skills that can transfer to the workplace.

“There’s something very therapeutic about the idea of service and helping others.” Last year the Outreach Service was established. This lends advice and support to people on a range of topics, from how to run a household, prepare food and budget to helping people access services and acting as advocates for them in problematic situations.

Even as the work of Inverness New Start continues to grow, the charity is looking at possible future routes of development. They are looking into the possibility of branching out into Strathspey and Ross & Cromarty, and possibly opening their own charity shop.

They are also looking at the possibility of developing a befriending service, and regeneration teams that would help with decorating and one-off garden clearance.

New Start is always in need of furniture, cookers, fridges, bedding and household goods in good, clean condition and fire retardant soft furnishings. Ring Paul on 711234; Inverness New Start can be reached on 715615. The New Start team are very grateful for all the help they get. “The level of support is staggering,” said James.