July 31, 2014 11.34 am This story is over 116 months old

Lincoln charity’s work boosted by expansion move

Onwards and upwards: A Lincoln charity which helps disadvantaged people across Lincolnshire is gearing up for a busy future after investing in their own premises.
(L-R) Acts Trust Social Enterprise Manager Mike Darbandi, Banks Long & Co surveyor Jonathan Purkiss and Restore Manager Simon Hoare at the new premises.

A Lincoln charity which helps disadvantaged people across Lincolnshire is gearing up for a busy future after investing in its own premises.

Acts Trust, which was formed by Alive Church Lincoln in 2007, helps people and families to restore and build better lives.

The trust has leased a unit in Crofton Close, on the Allenby Road Industrial Estate in Lincoln, and has moved from temporary accommodation at Lincoln’s New Life Church in Newland.

In particular the charity’s Restore Centre, which provides storage and furniture for people in need, will have more space and control to raise extra funds for its work.

Restore also aims to give immediate support to individuals and families in need and to work with them on a plan which is ultimately designed to put them on course for a much brighter future.

Restore Manager Simon Hoare said: “Alive founded Acts Trust in 2007 and since then we have been trying to alleviate poverty in the city, with the support of the church and others in the local community.

“I’m confident it is helping thousands of people through a range of initiatives, which includes Lincoln Food Bank and Christians Against Poverty (CAP), which aims to help disentangle people from their debt problems.”

Acts Trust’s Social Enterprise Manager Mike Darbandi said: “Through Restore Furniture, our recycled and up-cycled furniture project, we can both give items for free to people who need them and also renovate pieces to a high standard and sell them through our online shop. This helps us to raise more money for our local community projects.

“We are happy to collect unwanted furniture and electrical goods, which must be in working order, for free from people willing to donate them.”

The Restore furniture project is also proving valuable in helping to get people back into the jobs market, said Mr Darbandi.

“Pinnacle People is a contracted provider of community work placements, through the Lincoln Jobcentre”, he explained. “People who have been out-of-work for a long time can also do a 30-hours-a-week placement with us, which offers them work experience and the chance to build their skills.”

Anyone wishing to donate furniture or unwanted goods, or seeking help or advice, can call 01522 542166.

Lincoln-based chartered surveyor Banks Long & Co leased the unit in Crofton Close to the charity.

Banks Long & Co Surveyor Jonathan Purkiss said: “We are pleased to have leased the Crofton Close unit to Restore and we are confident it will be ideal for its purposes.

“This is a popular area of Lincoln and attracts both a wide range of companies and charitable organisations, which are tempted by the fact that it offers easy access to the city centre and also to routes out of the city.”