With woodwork for schools, a football club and Emmaus Glasgow charity shops already under his belt, Mick has revealed what he’s planning to make in the on-site workshop for Christmas.
When Emmaus Glasgow was approached to put together a ‘Buddy Bench’ earlier in the year for local schoolchildren who feel lonely, our community knew just the person to make this.
Buddy benches for schoolchildren
Mick learned woodwork from a family member he used to live with and worked in construction, which means he has lots of ideas that help Emmaus Glasgow create wooden items or reuse and upcycle items that might otherwise go to waste.
Mick set to work creating the ‘Buddy Bench’ which he presented to St Michael’s Primary School earlier in the year, for children to sit on to signal they need a friend.
“I’m most proud of making the Buddy Bench. It’s a bit difficult to tell people you’re feeling lonely or sad. If you’re sitting there, other children know you’re there for a reason and can help. I might even make one for Emmaus Glasgow!” Mick said.
Making special garden furniture
Mick’s skills were also called on by a local football club St Roch’s Football Club, who loved the fish ponds Mick created out of old whiskey barrels, that they saw in one of our charity shops, and asked whether Emmaus Glasgow would help create a bench and a gazebo for a memorial garden.
“The gazebo needed a lot of work when we got it, to repair parts and replace bits that were rotten. I enjoy it. I enjoy getting the materials together. In my life I’ve not been able to get the materials to put together an idea, but Emmaus Glasgow helps with the wood or varnish I need.
“It’s always a little frustrating because it never looks like my idea in reality, but it’s good when people say they like it and that’s a good feeling; that someone likes what you’ve done. That’s satisfying.”
Book tree reading boost
Mick has also made a wooden book tree for St Joseph’s Primary School, who loved the one Mick presented to the children so much, they have ordered another.
“Emmaus Glasgow is a place where I can explore ideas and put these into reality. I had so much help from Emmaus when I first came here. I was in a bit of a mess with drugs and alcohol, but Emmaus helped and took me to meetings. Eventually, I got my driving licence back and helped on the vans, driving and doing woodwork in the evenings. I’ve converted a little space next to the eBay area for the wood workshop with a door.”
What’s Mick making for Christmas?
As for Christmas this year, Mike’s thinking about making wooden trees to go in the shops, so watch this space!
“I think Emmaus Glasgow is an excellent place. I’ve enjoyed my time here and I’m grateful for the help I’ve received.
“If you get an idea, just try it. It doesn’t matter if it comes out good or not, it’s about the feeling of having a go. Things are never quite as hard as you think they are going to be.”
If you would like bespoke woodwork, one of Mick’s wonderful whiskey barrel fish ponds, coffee tables or glassware cupboards, please get in touch by calling into one of Our Shops or give Emmaus Glasgow a call on 0141 353 3903.