Today, we re-opened our upcycling workshop after months of restoration. The workshop, located in our Emmaus Works store on Osborne Street, will be a hive of upcycling, woodwork and haberdashery projects created by our companions and volunteers.
The workshop will allow us to recycle and reuse more furniture and fabric that is donated to us. Many items come to us in a state of disrepair and in an unsellable condition, we’ll now be able to transform these items into unique statement pieces.
We hope the workshop will also become a community hub to battle isolation and make woodwork and textile crafts more accessible to the general public. Our team will support community groups and individuals to use the space, learn crafts and connect with other creatives.
Today, the workshop space was officially opened with councillors and local organisations exploring the space and chatting with staff and companions. Pam Cox MP attended and took part in a collaborative upcycled project – adding her name to a checkerboard table.
Many companions already have skills in carpentry and sewing which they have been able to share with others in the workshop as well as learning new trades.
Brian Cooke, Chief Executive of Emmaus Colchester says “This upcycling workshop brings together two things we’re passionate about at Emmaus -reducing waste and providing engaging and empowering work opportunities for our companions. We’re excited to officially open to the public and start creating beautiful upcycled pieces. We encourage the public to come and see the workshop and check out the upcycled items for sale in our Home shop. We’d love to hear from community groups and organisations who would like to volunteer or use the space – get in touch with us!”
The public can support the Upcycling Workshop by donating unwanted furniture, becoming a volunteer or shopping sustainably in Emmaus’s shops. Find out more about Emmaus Colchester’s Workshop and how you can get involved here