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Appliance Poverty
Recent research shows over 2.9 million UK households (≈4.8 million people) live without at least one major appliance (fridge, cooker, freezer, or washing machine). In other words, roughly 1 in 20 low-income families lack basic kitchen or laundry equipment.
Furniture Poverty
Studies find that, less than 6 million people in the UK lack essential furniture or home furnishings. For example, about 740,000 adults have no bed for their child and 260,000 have no fridge. Overall, about 9% of UK adults (4.8 million) live in “furniture poverty”, missing one or more items needed for a minimally acceptable home.
Household Hardship
Consistently around 7 million low-income households report cutting back on essentials due to cost (as of May 2024). These households were forgoing showers, skipping meals or letting bills pile up. In summary, tens of millions of people (several million families) are currently vulnerable and in need of basic household items.
Why It Matters?
A recent survey found 7 million low-income households (about 60%) were going without necessities such as adequate food, clothing or heating. In practical terms this means families are making drastic sacrifices, 4.9 million households could not replace worn-out clothes, and 1.6 million even turned off their fridge or freezer to save money.
When families can’t afford these essentials, it deepens hardship and makes recovery from crisis even more difficult. That’s why meeting these needs through community donations and local support is at the heart of what we do at GROAD CIC, so families can shift from survival mode to rebuilding their lives with dignity.
Projected Growth of GROAD's Everyday Essentials Project
By 2031, GROAD’s Everyday Essentials Project aims to be a nationally recognised, community-rooted programme, delivering household dignity and environmental sustainability, while building stronger, more resilient communities through circular action.
2030
2,000+
households
supported
annually
2031
2,500+
households
served/year through
100+ community and
council partnerships
2029
1500+
Households
supporter per year
At Get Rid of and Donate CIC, we believe no one should have to go without the basics. Everyday Essentials Project provides free, good-quality household items to families and individuals who are experiencing hardship.
From beds, sofas, kitchenware, and electronics to small everyday necessities, we redistribute donated goods to those who need them most, including vulnerable families, refugees, asylum seekers, low-income households, and people in crisis.
We work closely with a network of referral partners from housing support teams to schools and social services, who reach out on behalf of those in need. Whether someone is starting over, escaping unsafe conditions, or simply going through a difficult time, we step in to help furnish homes and restore dignity.
