At Emmaus Colchester we đsustainability.
Through our social enterprises, we save furniture and textiles from ending up in landfill by re-selling items in our pre-loved shops. However, many items that are donated to us need a bit of love and a lick of paint. In our upcycling workshop, we have all the tools and equipment required to transform tired furniture into stunning statement pieces.
In our workshop, companions are given the opportunity to learn skills in woodwork, painting, decorating, crafting and upholstery. Upcycling helps companions to improve their self-esteem and confidence, as they work on a piece of furniture from start to finish, making creative decisions and seeing the final product in our shop. Look out for our ‘Made by Emmaus’ labels to learn more about who made each upcycled piece on display in our Home Shop.
We also support community groups & individuals to use the space, learn crafts and trades and connect with other creatives. Get in touch with us to arrange a visit or learn more about our workshop.
Our workshop facilitator, Louise, supports our companions to learn new practices and creative skills as well as approaches to problem- solving and creative thinking. A lot of our companions, bring their own knowledge to the workshop from previous jobs and roles and share this with others.
We support schools and community groups to use the workshop and get stuck into creative projects of their own.
Every item we upcycle in the workshop has been saved from ending up in landfill. We often receive donations of furniture that are damaged, broken, or in need of a new lick of paint before they would sell on our shop floor.
By upcycling items, we breathe new life into furniture and fabric that otherwise would have been thrown away. Some items are too damaged to save so we break them down and use the material for smaller projects such as birdhouses and side tables.
Upcycling means endless opportunities to be creative! We have a wide range of paints, decals, stencils and tools that allow us to transform furniture into something different each time.
Our projects vary from a quick sand and re-paint to re-upholstery and adding new legs and doors to projects.
Each item that is sold, supports our homelessness community and our companions to thrive.
If you’d like to support our workshop, join us as a volunteer or donate your unwanted furniture for us to upcycle! If you have an item of furniture you would like fixed or upcycled for your home, get in touch and we’ll see how we can help you. Give Louise our Workshop Facilitator a call on 01206 355 267 if you’d like a chat about our workshop and what we do!