About Hastings Furniture Service
Since 1998, we’ve been helping people create safe, dignified homes while supporting skills, confidence, and environmental sustainability through furniture reuse.
- Why We Exist
Furniture poverty is a hidden crisis across Hastings and Rother. Too many people are living without the basics – a bed to sleep on, a cooker to prepare meals, or the essential furniture that makes a home safe and comfortable. HFS exists to change that.
We make essential furniture affordable, offer opportunities for people to build skills and confidence, and keep valuable resources in use through reuse. At the heart of our work is a simple belief: a safe, comfortable home isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation every person deserves.
Our role is to bring dignity, stability and hope to people rebuilding their lives — one bed, one cooker, one home at a time.
- Why Our Work Matters
When a household can’t afford a cooker, they can’t prepare the food they receive from food banks. When there’s no fridge, fresh food spoils before it can be eaten. When a child has no bed, they struggle to sleep, learn and thrive. These are the realities of furniture poverty – often unseen, but deeply felt.
Our work matters because it changes these realities. By keeping good furniture in use, we prevent waste, cut COâ‚‚e emissions and protect the environment. By making essentials affordable, we help families create stability and dignity. And by supporting the circular economy, we keep value in the community and help Hastings and Rother take meaningful steps towards Net Zero.
HFS doesn’t just provide furniture — we provide the foundations for a safer, fairer, more sustainable future.
- Why Our Work Matters
When a household can’t afford a cooker, they can’t prepare the food they receive from food banks. When there’s no fridge, fresh food spoils before it can be eaten. When a child has no bed, they struggle to sleep, learn and thrive. These are the realities of furniture poverty – often unseen, but deeply felt.
Our work matters because it changes these realities. By keeping good furniture in use, we prevent waste, cut COâ‚‚e emissions and protect the environment. By making essentials affordable, we help families create stability and dignity. And by supporting the circular economy, we keep value in the community and help Hastings and Rother take meaningful steps towards Net Zero.
HFS doesn’t just provide furniture — we provide the foundations for a safer, fairer, more sustainable future.
- How We Deliver Hope
HFS is the only dedicated furniture reuse charity serving Hastings and Rother. Our work is local by design: every donation, every purchase and every volunteer hour directly supports people in our own community.
We have 2 stores, each with a different purpose
HFS Essentials — Priory Meadow Town Square, Priory Meadow, Hastings TN34 1PH
Our main store, offering good‑quality reused furniture with up to 50% off for people on means‑tested benefits.
HFS Eco‑Living — Dorset Place 6-10 Dorset Place, Hastings TN34 1LG
Our fundraising store, where you’ll find unique vintage, antique and mid‑century furniture pieces.
At the heart of everything we do at HFS is a belief: that everyone deserves a decent home.Â
Our Values
Fairness
Collaboration
Sustainability
Determination
Our Impact 2024-25
Meet Our Trustees
Experienced professionals dedicated to our mission
Claire Davies
Jacky Everard
Dr Sarka Gill
Jake Alexander
Paul Courtel
Ian Bolingbroke
Ian has worked in property and facilities management for over 30 years, across the charity, education and corporate sectors. He also has a strong interest in sustainability and waste within the circular economy.
Mark Johnson
Meet the Team
The people powering HFS
Our Fabulous Shop Team
Jane
HFS Essentials Manager
Jane joined Hastings and Rother Furniture Service (HFS) in August 2008 on a three-month Jobcentre work placement, continuing as a volunteer until April 2009 when she secured a full-time role as Customer Service Assistant. She progressed to become Store Manager and now runs HFS Essentials. Widely regarded as the backbone of the organisation, she has unrivalled knowledge of second-hand furniture; her expertise, dedication and commitment underpin everything the charity delivers.
Megan
HFS Essentials Customer Service
Megan joined in 2022 as a Customer Service Assistant through the Kickstart scheme and went on to complete her Customer Service Apprenticeship with a distinction. She is now 2nd in command at our Essential Store in Priory Meadow, dividing her time between looking after our customers and leading and supporting our volunteer team; outside of work, she enjoys arts and crafts, colouring, and reading.
Helen
HFS Eco-Living
Helen is the driving force behind Eco-Living, a familiar and welcoming presence at the Dorset Place branch where she is happiest surrounded by her favourite Mid-Century and antique pieces. With many years of experience in fashion retail—progressing from chain stores to independent boutiques—she brings a strong background in customer service and visual merchandising to her role within the charity.
Now living in the midst of her own renovation project, Helen’s passion for interiors and homewares continues to grow. Being able to rejuvenate and thoughtfully showcase much-appreciated donations each day provides the perfect balance of creativity, purpose and community impact.
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Our Amazing Logistics and Operations Team
TomÂ
Tom joined HFS in 2021 as a driver, and since then his role has grown significantly. He is now a key member of our Operations and Logistics Team, dividing his time between the store, electrical testing, and operations. You’ll still spot him out on the van — give him a wave next time he passes by.Â
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He takes real satisfaction in supporting the local community and working alongside our volunteers. Outside of work, Tom enjoys a game of pool and a pint.Â
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Adam Â
Adam joined the organisation in 2016, nearly ten years ago, after starting on college work experience and volunteering. Since then, he has become a valued member of the team, supporting furniture collection and delivery across the community. He also assists with PAT testing to ensure electrical items are safe and ready for use. Â
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Outside of work, he enjoys playing guitar, which helps him relax and unwind.Â
JakeÂ
Jake joined HFS in 2019 and is a key member of our Operations and Logistics team. As one of our main drivers, he combines calm professionalism with a sharp, analytical eye — especially when it comes to working out whether furniture will fit through the tightest of spaces. His knack for problem‑solving on the spot makes him an invaluable part of the team.Â
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Outside of work, Jake loves seeing live bands and has a particular fondness for country music. He’s also often spotted wearing a rather fetching Stetson, which has become something of a signature look.Â
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MarkÂ
Mark has been with HFS for over two decades. He arrived as an apprentice and never escaped — mostly because he became indispensable to the van crew. If something needs lifting, shifting, or finding, Mark’s your man.Â
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Outside work, Mark is a devoted Liverpool FC fan and an all‑round football obsessive. If there’s a match on, he’s watching it — and if there isn’t, he’s probably talking about one anyway.Â
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Our Brilliant Back Office Team
​Samantha
Bookkeeper
Samantha joined HFS in 2025 as our fabulous bookkeeper, bringing nearly a decade of finance experience and is currently undertaking an Accounting Degree.Â
A busy mum of three, including 11-year-old twins, she enjoys forest walks on the Eastbourne Downs and cycling, having completed the London to Brighton charity ride in 2022 and planning to take part again soon.
Andy
Finance and Operations Manager
Andrew began his journey with HFS in 1994 on a placement while studying IT and Business Administration. As the charity grew, Andy moved into a full-time role in 1996 and has taken on many different responsibilities over the years. He takes pride in knowing that his work makes a meaningful difference and is driven by purpose rather than profit.
Outside of work, he can usually be found out on the golf course or at home enjoying gaming.
Angie
Projects and Development Manager
Angie joined Hastings Furniture Service in January 2015 as the Volunteer Support Worker, supporting the people who give their time to help our charity thrive. Over the years her role has grown alongside the organisation, and she now serves as the Projects and Development Manager, leading on new initiatives, partnerships, and long‑term development. Her focus is on creating opportunities that strengthen our social impact, expand our reach, and ensure we continue to support households across Hastings and Rother with affordable, sustainable furniture.
Away from work, she enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with her granddaughter.
Kate
CEO
Kate joined HFS in 2022 and leads the organisation as CEO. Her job is to make sure HFS continues to support the local community, and she’s ridiculously proud of the work the charity does and the team who make it happen.Â
Outside of work, Kate and her partner enjoy pottering about on their boat and taking long, muddy walks with Purdey, their rescue dog — usually followed by a flat white or a pint!
Purdey
Wellbeing Officer
Purdey joined HFS unofficially in March 2025 and takes her role very seriously. She specialises in morale boosting, welcoming visitors (on her terms), and supervising warehouse activity from the comfiest spot she can find.Â
Outside of work, she enjoys long, muddy walks, boat days, and carefully positioning herself near anyone holding a treat or bag of crisps!
Partners & Affiliations
Hastings Borough Council
East Sussex County Council
National Furniture Reuse Network
Transparency & Governance
Registered Charity
Charity No. 123456789
Annual Reports
Published annually with full financial transparency
Independent Audits
Regular external financial audits
Safeguarding Policies
Comprehensive policies to protect vulnerable individuals
Board Oversight
Experienced trustees providing strategic governance
GDPR Compliant
Protecting privacy and data security