About Us
Who We Are
We are a registered charity based in Chilton, County Durham. The team at CDFHS have been passionate about helping those in need, since our formation in 2005.
Our aim is to enable low income households to turn their accommodation into their home by providing a wide range of low cost, affordable furniture, domestic appliances and household items to those who find themselves in need of support.
Of course, none of this could be possible without the generosity and support of the North East community, who donate good quality, unwanted items and volunteer their time.
In 2024 alone, we supported over 24,000 people in poverty to furnish their homes and prevented 400 Tonnes of items going to landfill.
If you need help or wish to donate or volunteer, call us during office hours on 01388 721509.
What We Do
We provide thousands of pre-loved items for sale each year and work closely with local authority support initiatives and housing providers to ensure that a wide cross-section of people in need from across County Durham and the wider North East region have support to furnish their home.
For those struggling with poverty and affordability, our friendly and experienced team will be happy to try and help with special discounts and to direct you to any additional support that you may require.
As well as our large showroom, where we sell a wide range of donated items including furniture, domestic appliances, household items and clothing at affordable prices, directly to the public, we have recently launched a virtual shop, where all of our stock can be purchased on line.
Many of the kind donations we receive are delivered to our premises, however, we also collect larger items and donations from around the region.
The work we do with local authority and regional housing providers involves supply of a wide selection of brand new household items ranging from beds to white goods to help those in need of their care and support.
This range of brand new products is now available for public sale and has been added to a display area within the showroom and on-line store.
Our impact
35
Tonnes per month prevented from going to landfill
2,000
People helped each month through our support network
£2,000,000
Per year benefit provided to the regional economy
Together, as a community, we are…”
Contributing to a more sustainable future
Our work to redistribute pre-loved items and involvement with Durham University student ‘move out’ program greatly benefits the environment by reducing landfill volume.
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Relieving poverty
Pre-loved and low cost new household items provide affordable options for those in need, making it easier to furnish homes without breaking the bank. Our expert team can help direct you to further support if required.
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Creating job opportunities
We have a long established record of helping volunteers into permanent employment.
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Ways to support us
There are loads of ways to get involved and support CDFHS. From donating, volunteering or shopping at our local store, your support makes a real difference and allows us to continue doing what we’re doing.
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I first started at CDFHS as a volunteer and within a couple of years I gained a full time employment. My role here is as part of the van crew, where we do deliveries and collection around County Durham and I get to meet a lot of different people. My interests are watching football, reading and watching movies.
I joined CDFHS because I wanted to learn new skills and to learn more about working environment. My hobbies are helping my dad on the farm, gaming and motorcycles.
I started at CDFHS in 2024 as a volunteer to gain experience and improve my customer service skills. In May 2025 an employed position on the van crew became available and I grabbed it with both hands, because of the team I get to work with every day and the customers I get to help. My hobbies include watching my local football team play and enjoying myself with friends.
I had been coming to this charity for a few years as a customer buying furniture and other stuff. Over the years I met many of the team and they’ve always been helpful and friendly. In January 2025 Lee mentioned he was looking for another driver and I though this is the job for me, working with a team doing a fantastic job for a great cause. I started the next month and was made welcome from day 1. Now as part of that team, I see the hard work behind the scenes and what a great charity we are. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family, walking and trips away.
I’ve been involved with CDFHS since 2023. I enjoy working here as every day is different and you get to meet and help people daily. My hobbies are walking, metalwork and building works.