Briony

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐛𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬. ⁠

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The Briony rug is named after an alias chosen by a Furnishing Futures beneficiary. Every design is paired with a personal reflection from its namesake, sharing how receiving a healing home has helped restore confidence, safety and dignity…

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“When I was offered a home, I felt so excited and full of relief. I cried and could not believe it after everything we had been through. I was so happy for the children so they can live a safe, normal life, sleep without fights and noise. When I realised my home was not furnished, I was just so happy to have a safe place. I did not let myself imagine you would be so helpful, it upset me that the children did not have proper rooms, a place to study, tv or sofa. I want them to have a normal life - you helped them with that, giving them things that mean they can have a friend over to play without feeling sad that they have no furniture.

After the install day, when I walked in the room, my knees went weak, I felt myself falling. I can not tell you what it meant to me. Now I have peace in my home. Not looking over my shoulder, I feel safe after 13 years of not living a normal life. I can not thank you enough. My children are happy again, relaxed, sleeping through the night, not waking up in the early hours. My daughter is calm. My son, who has autism, is so much happier and less emotional…

They no longer see themselves as different from other kids. They have a home, they have their stuff. It gives them freedom and a sense of self confidence that had been taken from them by two years of homelessness. It took a while but now I feel like I can lock the door and it's my house.

All I can say is you have changed our stars and we are so grateful.”

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