When Progressive Housewares and Shelter teamed up, it was the start of a unique and imaginative new initiative.

About the partnership

Progressive Housewares invited the whole housewares industry to help homeless families by contributing basic products - such as kettles, toasters and waste bins - which would help turn their houses into homes. The scheme continues to be a great success with donations amounting to well over £50,000 worth of products since 2003.

How it helps

In 2007 gifts from the housewares industry went to Shelter's Birmingham Homeless to Home project.

Project manager Tracey Moore said; 'Many of the families helped by Shelter as they move into homes have virtually no possessions, and as many as 80% of them have nothing at all. With equipment to prepare, cook and serve food, families have a chance to create decent meals, and to settle quickly into their new homes and communities'.

This exciting initiative continues to help hundreds of families in other Shelter's Homeless to Home projects, which are based in Nottingham, Bristol and Sheffield.