70 more homes to stay warm this winter with help of Curtain Bank and Trust Horizon

Curtain Bank volunteers Valerie Hoogland and Carol Shiels (foreground)

A long-standing partnership between Trust Horizon and the local Curtain Bank is continuing to help Eastern Bay of Plenty homes stay warm and healthy this winter.

Originally established in 2008, Curtain Bank transforms donated curtains into functional and insulated window coverings for those who need them.

When the business that operated Curtain Bank was sold in 2012, its future was uncertain. To ensure it could continue, the organisation became umbrellaed by New Zealand Red Cross, and Trust Horizon stepped in to provide a rent-free space at their Richardson Street premises.

Almost 15 years later, the Trust continues to support the Curtain Bank, including providing access to shared amenities such as kitchen facilities – significantly reducing overheads for the volunteer-run service.

“Without this space, we simply couldn’t exist,” says Curtain Bank Coordinator, Karen Lewell. “Commercial leases would cost upwards of $7,000 each year, and that’s just not feasible for us.”

Run by a dedicated team of volunteers, the Curtain Bank works several sessions each week at the back of the Trust Horizon and Arrow Accounting premises. During the busy winter period, those hours increase to keep up with demand. 

“The space is perfect for what we do. Everything happens there – storing curtains, repairing them, resizing and relining,” says Lewell. “Our front of house is Arrow Accountants, and the team there has also been fantastic over the years.”

On average, the Curtain Bank supports around 70 homes annually, focusing mainly on living rooms and children’s bedrooms, but occasionally providing curtains for entire houses. Referrals come from health and social service organisations across the region – including iwi groups, housing trusts, and respiratory health providers.

“All our curtains are donated, and we replace the lining, add new tape, and tidy them up,” says Lewell. “We often become interior decorators, too, making sure the curtains fit the space and that the colours don’t clash.”

With approximately 700 homes receiving Curtain Bank curtains over the last 10 years, Trust Horizon is pleased to provide a place for the organisation to call home. “The hard work of Curtain Bank and its volunteers goes beyond warmth,” says Trust Horizon trustee, Yvonne Boyes. “Properly fitted and lined curtains can improve insulation, enhance health and wellbeing, and reduce energy costs, all while diverting reusable materials from landfill.”

Despite its impact, the Curtain Bank operates quietly in the background, relying on the support of organisations like Red Cross and the Trust – and a steady supply of donated curtains from the community. For those who wish to contribute, clean and good-quality second-hand curtains can be dropped off at Arrow Accounting’s reception.

“We’re one of those organisations that run under the radar, just getting things done,” says Lewell. “But we couldn’t do any of it without Trust Horizon.”

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