A Norwich-based charity that supplies low-cost furniture to hard-up people has issued an appeal for help as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Norfolk Homemakers has supplied cheap furnishings and furniture to people who are either on limited incomes, have been re-housed from hospital or residential homes or are facing a crisis in their lives.

People visit its warehouse in Aylsham Way, off Aylsham Road, donate furniture through the website, and volunteers also spruce up donations in the workshop.

But as the charity celebrates its anniversary, like many charities it is experiencing difficult time.

Howard Tidman, who was recently appointed chairman of Homemakers, said: 'This has been one of our most difficult years. We are finding that the people who use our services, often those most in need, are struggling more than ever. Our aim is to keep the cost of our furniture as low as practicable.

'Funding for the project is difficult with many councils and grant aid charities becoming increasingly unable to meet requests for small grant aid.

'And the number of people who visit our warehouse has tailed off a bit. It seems the poorest people in society are being the hardest hit.

'We only need to cover our costs, about £30,000 a year, and Homemakers endeavours to reduce its administrative expenditure to a minimum in order that financial resources can be channelled into the provision of our effective service.

'We hope that during this anniversary year the public will continue to donate their unwanted furniture to the project as this not only helps those we serve but avoids it unnecessarily going to landfill.'

Mr Tidman is a psychiatric nurse with Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, and all the volunteers have mental health issues.

For more information visit www.norfolkhomemakers.org or call 01603 487444.

Do you know of a Norwich charity that needs help? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk