NewstrAid

NewstrAid is a charity supporting people who work, or who have worked, in the sale and distribution of newspapers and magazines. The charity provides financial help, emotional support and practical services to industry colleagues and their families. 

In addition to the regular financial support they provide to those struggling with everyday living costs, NewstrAid also provides one-off grants to eligible applicants. These grants provide ‘in the moment’ support for a range of circumstances, with many applicants requiring white goods, furniture and help with household essentials. 

The challenges of distributing support as a small charity 

Household appliances and furniture make up a significant proportion of NewstrAid’s one-off grants, so the team were looking for a way to streamline and simplify the process of ordering these items. Like many charities with grant schemes, NewstrAid was ordering items individually online through various retailers, which was time-consuming and became complex if any issues arose. Many retailers provide inconsistent customer service and slow delivery times, which placed a significant pressure on NewstrAid’s small team and made the process of getting support out to beneficiaries challenging. 

An easier way to distribute grant support 

NewstrAid partnered with FFBS in September 2025 to deliver white goods and furniture to beneficiaries. Through our easy-to-use online portal, the team are able to order everything they need in one place, eliminating the need to deal with multiple suppliers or retailers. NewstrAid also benefit from our dedicated customer support, with regular account manager meetings and access to our helpdesk, ensuring that the process of distributing grant items is smooth and efficient.  

With fixed pricing and in-stock guarantees, FFBS offers a more reliable service and ensures that support is always available when it’s needed. Items ordered through the FFBS portal are ordered to specification rather than brand, which makes it easier to ensure households are receiving items that match their requirements and helps the charity to avoid pressures to approve high-end requests outside their remit, allowing the team to set boundaries with beneficiaries whilst offering quality goods.  

With delivery, installation and uplift included in the price, our service simplifies the logistics of delivering support and prevents unexpected costs. FFBS suppliers arrange deliveries directly with recipients, which not only reduces the admin burden on the team but also empowers beneficiaries and reduces dependency. This ultimately leads to a better experience for both the team at NewstrAid placing the order, and the individual receiving the grant item.  

Easing pressures and empowering beneficiaries 

The time saved by eliminating the need to manage suppliers and arrange deliveries has eased the pressure on NewstrAid’s Welfare Team, supporting a more sustainable service delivery. Beneficiaries have benefitted from speedy delivery times, receiving much-needed support more quickly, and feel empowered as they are able to arrange their own delivery.