BBC Video
Poverty & Loneliness
Who are CCA?
What do we do?
CCA is a registered charity that was formed in 1992 by Nick Crowder who with 3 volunteers provided essential second hand furniture items for a young girl in a crisis. He saw there was an ongoing need for this service in Reading, and he also wanted to help the unemployed find their way back into employment.
Today our aim is to demonstrate God's love by meeting people's practical needs and restoring their self worth. In addition we try to support our volunteers; helping them to learn new skills, rebuild their confidence and get into paid employment.
CCA provides for those in need through recycling donations of furniture, clothing, household goods and bric-a-brac. In doing so we are also helping to protect the environment and reduce the needless dumping of good quality furniture.
The Warehouse Team collect good quality pre-loved furniture, and working with our Support Centres redistribute it for a nominal fee to people in need or difficult circumstances.
In addition we support those with social, mental health, addiction or other issues who are looking to get back into paid employment. This is done through work placements at our Charity Shops and Furniture Shop. We take referrals from Yeldall Manor (a drug and rehabilitation unit) and Launchpad (a local organisation working with the homeless), as well as Learndirect, Pinnacle and JobCentrePlus.
In 2015, we helped over 4,500 people in need of essential furniture items, emergency kitchen and bedding packs, food supplies; signposting and referrals to other specialist services for debt and benefit advice.
At present we have five charity shops, and a furniture shop which help to finance our services.
