What is a Curtain Bank?

A Curtain Bank takes donated second-hand curtains or fabric and re-cuts and lines them for distribution to households in need.

Huntly Curtain Bank
Wellington Curtain Bank

Why is the Curtain Bank needed?

Even after having insulation installed, many homes still lose significant heat through un-curtained windows.

Curtains are an easy and effective means for trapping warmth in the heated area of the house. Curtains also have added benefits of improving privacy and brightening up a home.

By retaining more warmth in the home a Curtain Bank has the added benefit of lowering sickness and discomfort levels, especially for the young and elderly.

How does the Curtain Bank work?

Donations of old curtains or curtain fabric are made to the Curtain Bank.

The Bank sorts, measures, folds and stores curtains and issues bank ‘vouchers’ to health and social agencies to distribute to clients in need.

Clients arrive at the Curtain Bank with a voucher and measurement form and, with help from the Curtain Bank coordinator, select from the donated curtains, something that will fit their living rooms. In general curtains are given only for the heated living areas of the house.

The client takes the curtains home and, if needed, receives assistance from the referral agency to fit them.

Who should make donations?

• Everyone!!
• Commercial premises such as hotels, motels, schools, offices and hospitals etc that are undergoing refurbishment
• Homeowners replacing their old curtains
• Furnishing business that measure and quote new curtains for homes and businesses

Why would I want to donate?

Donating curtains to a Curtain Bank is a way of getting rid of your old curtains which are no longer wanted as well as providing a means for you to do something positive for your community.

The Huntly Curtain Bank

The Huntly Curtain Bank was formed in 2006 by the Huntly Energy Efficiency Trust (HEET) with the support of Genesis Energy.

Since its inception the Huntly Curtain Bank has supplied over 1,000 homes with curtains.

How to make Donations?

Donations to the Huntly Curtain Bank can be organised by:

• Ringing HEET on 07 828 8004; or

When can donations be made?

The Curtain Bank receives curtains at any time of year

Who is HEET?

HEET is a charitable trust based in Huntly that is focused on bringing the economic, employment, health, social and environmental benefits of energy efficiency to the Greater Waikato Region.

http://www.heet.co.nz/index.html

The Wellington Curtain Bank

The Wellington Curtain Bank was opened on 19th July 2010 by the Sustainability Trust, offering low income residents and those with chronic health conditions in the Wellington region with free curtains to help retain warmth and make their homes healthier and cozier.

How to make donations to the Wellington Curtain bank

Donations to the Wellington Curtain Bank can be organised by:

• Ringing the Sustainability Trust on 04 389 3400 ext 704; or
• By dropping curtains off at the Wellington Curtain Bank during office hours at 8a Horner St, Newtown, Wellington.

When can donations be made?

The Wellington Curtain bank receives curtains at anytime of the year.

The Wellington Curtain Bank also accepts donations of:

• Faded curtains
• Curtain rails, hooks and loops
• Suitable fabric (preferably in large quantities)
• Curtain lining

Who is the Sustainability Trust?

The Sustainability Trust is a non-profit charitable trust based in Wellington City, operating throughout the Wellington region.

Their programmes are designed to enable local communities, businesses and householders to reduce consumption, make sound consumer choices and to develop life style and business practices which are 'truly sustainable' when considered in a global context.

The Sustainability Trust website

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