Today, we opened our latest social enterprise, the Decorating Hub, in our Emmaus Works shop! We unveiled the new space to community members, supporters and partners.
The Hub, supported by Colchester City Council, is designed to provide low-cost DIY tools and equipment, as well as sustainable, recycled paint, at a fraction of the retail price. We’ll also be providing free painting and decorating short courses in our training room within the Hub.
We have designed this project with the Colchester community in mind, which includes many low-income renters and tenants who are moving from temporary accommodation. Through this hub, we hope to make home renovations more accessible and affordable.
Our CEO, Brian Cooke, shares, “When people move out of temporary accommodation, although they may feel relief, it is often challenging. It is common for people to move into a new place after experiencing homelessness or trauma, without furniture, carpet, or the skills to start decorating a property. We want this hub to become a community space where people can drop in for support, learn new skills, pick up some paint and connect with other support services.”
We are grateful to have the support of many local businesses including Bell Group, M&C Colours Ltd, JMC Dry Wall Ltd and Recipro who have donated surplus supplies and paint.
The Decorating Hub will work alongside our other social enterprises, and we will be able to support people moving into a new place with affordable furniture, decorating materials, removal assistance, and practical training. Every purchase made at the Hub helps people in Colchester rebuild their lives after homelessness.
Colchester City Council has partially funded this project as part of their ongoing work to support tenants across the city.
Philip Sullivan, Chief Executive of Colchester Borough Homes, said: “We are proud to partner with Emmaus on this initiative, which will help people settle into their new homes and feel truly part of the community.
“Colchester Borough Homes and Colchester City Council have been fully supportive of this project, reflecting our shared commitment to helping local residents as they move into permanent housing. The Decorating Hub will make home improvements more affordable and provide opportunities for people to gain practical skills that will benefit them for years to come.”
The Decorating Hub will be open during Emmaus Works trading hours, Monday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm. For more information or to book a short training course, contact [email protected]