12th March 2026
Sanctuary Supported Living
Bellway Durham Sales Manager Gillian Bell (left) with Project Workers Emma Bolton and Dave Wilson, with some of the packaged-up items that have been donated (Image credits – Bellway Homes)
A donation of showhome furniture by local housebuilder Bellway will help young people in Hartlepool who were once homeless to build a new life in a place of their own.
The developer has donated the entire contents of its showhome at the Hartwell Park development in the town to Sanctuary Supported Living.
The national not-for-profit organisation provides supported accommodation for 16 to 25-year-olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness at its Victoria Road location in Hartlepool. It provides safe, stable accommodation alongside tailored support to help the young people to eventually live independently.
The donated furniture and household goods, which range from sofas, tables and beds, to crockery, bedding and lamps, will be given to young people who are ready to move into a home of their own.
Sean Wood, owner of local company, Self Storage Hartlepool has generously offered a storage unit free of charge, for as long needed, so that the contents of the showhome could be accepted and stored safely until residents need them.
Project worker at Victoria Road Dave Wilson said: “This will make a massive difference to our young people as they can set up home with brand new furniture and have somewhere nice to call their own.
“We are just so blown away with the help we get from the community and businesses who see what we do here. This donation is going to make a massive difference and we are so grateful – it’s so heartwarming to receive this.”
The donation came about after Sanctuary Supported Living project worker Emma Bolton bought a Bellway home and spoke to the Bellway team about the organisation and how it helps young people.
“Helping a young person who has come through very difficult and challenging circumstances to make a new independent life for themselves is a wonderful thing"
Victoria Road has 10 en-suite rooms, two single rooms with a shared bathroom, and a one-bedroom move-on apartment.
Dave explained that the young people can stay there in a safe and supported environment while they develop the skills they need for their future such as budgeting, cooking, cleaning and doing their laundry. When they are ready, a move-on plan is put into place and they are helped to find a home of their own.
Sanctuary Supported Living Area Service Manager Shaun Graham said: “The young people we work with at Victoria Road show incredible resilience as they rebuild their lives. However, when they are ready to move on to live independently, many face new challenges such as furnishing their first home.
“That’s why this generous donation of furniture from Bellway is so greatly appreciated. Their support will make a meaningful difference, helping young people who have worked hard to secure their own tenancy begin the next chapter of their lives in a comfortable, beautifully furnished home they can be proud of.”
Sales Manager for Bellway Durham Gillian Bell said: “As we had decided to transform the interior of our showhome at Hartwell Park, we wanted to make sure that all the furniture and household items we no longer needed went to a good cause, and frankly I can’t think of a better one than this.
“Helping a young person who has come through very difficult and challenging circumstances to make a new independent life for themselves is a wonderful thing and I can’t praise the work of Sanctuary Supported Living highly enough.
“Having a positive impact on local communities and the environment are two of the key pillars of Bellway’s company-wide commitment to sustainable practices, so we are very pleased that these items are not only being re-used but are also making such a difference to the lives of the people receiving them.”
