Two Aberdeen-based organisations – Glencraft and Somebody Cares – have joined forces with The Royal Foundation and its Homewards programme to provide vital support to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness.

Aberdeen is one of six locations chosen for the initial rollout of Homewards—a bold five-year initiative spearheaded by The Prince and Princess of Wales, which brings together charities, businesses, and local authorities to demonstrate that homelessness can be ended.

As part of this effort, Homewards is coordinating a package of furniture and home essentials, tailored to the needs of each household, to help transform properties into safe and welcoming homes. Providers include Homewards Activator IKEA, Bosch, DFS Group, Dunelm, Glencraft, Somebody Cares, Multibank, and The Furnishing Service.

Practical Help with Lasting Impact

Glencraft, a not-for-profit social enterprise with over 180 years of heritage in handcrafting luxury mattresses and delivering lasting social impact, is contributing handcrafted mattresses to support tenants’ sleep, health, and wellbeing.

“Homelessness isn’t just about lacking a roof—it’s about lacking the basic conditions for health and recovery,” said Donald McKay, CEO of Glencraft. “Poor sleep has devastating consequences for both physical and mental wellbeing. A good mattress isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.”

More than 300,000 people in the UK experience homelessness each year—including over 120,000 children. Many face chronic sleep deprivation while living in unsafe or temporary accommodation. Glencraft’s involvement ensures that each new Homewards home includes a safe, restorative sleep environment—helping people to recover and rebuild their lives.

Fighting Furniture Poverty

Founded in 2002, Somebody Cares is one of Aberdeen’s most active charities, furnishing around 800 homes a year through referrals from more than 80 local agencies.

“We provide practical, immediate support to those facing hardship,” said Dr Yekemi Otaru, CEO of Somebody Cares. “When the opportunity came to reduce furniture poverty and support Homewards, it was an easy ‘yes’ from us.”

Across the UK, furniture poverty continues to be a hidden barrier to sustaining a tenancy. Without essential items like a bed, sofa, or table, people are more likely to fall back into crisis. Somebody Cares helps bridge this gap with dignity and compassion.

A Collaborative Vision for Change

Homewards isn’t about temporary relief—it’s about systemic change. Through locally led partnerships like the one in Aberdeen, the programme seeks to develop scalable models that can be replicated across the UK.

With a shared belief that a home is more than four walls, this collaboration between Glencraft, Somebody Cares, The Royal Foundation, and other local Homewards partners, reflects what is possible when the business community and the third sector unite around a common purpose.