Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games' furniture "improving lives"

Furniture from the former athletes’ village at the Commonwealth Games is helping change lives for people across Glasgow.

Hundreds of items of furniture used by athletes at this summer’s event have already been redistributed to tenants who need help to furnish their home.

Glasgow Housing Association moved more than 60,000 individual items of furniture from the village in Dalmarnock with the items being made available to social housing tenants, community groups and charities in and around the city.

GHA tenant Barry Haetzman from Shettleston was one of the first to benefit. He received beds, wardrobes, bedside cabinets and sofas which allowed him to furnish his spare room for his children to stay at weekends.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council and GHA chair Gordon Sloan visited him to launch the initiative.

Barry said: “The furniture has really helped me, especially for when the kids come to visit. I’m happy if the kids are happy.

“It would have been very hard to furnish the flat without this help. You have to budget for electricity, gas and food. It all adds up. There are people out there who don’t have anything at all. It will really help them out.”

Tenants of Cube and Loretto Housing Association, which are part of Wheatley Group, will also receive furniture. In addition, more than 13,500 items have been distributed or requested by 35 registered social landlords in and around Glasgow.

Other groups to benefit include nurseries, schools and charities such as YPeople, YMCA and One Parent Families Scotland.

GHA Chair Gordon Sloan said: “This scheme will make a big difference to vulnerable tenants, families and also to wider community projects in the city so thousands of people can benefit from the legacy of the Commonwealth Games.”