Employees from Victorian Plumbing have been volunteering throughout June in the community garden at Emmaus Merseyside.
On four days during June, we welcomed a total of 17 Victorian Plumbing employees who helped with a range of gardening activities. Emmaus Merseyside is an award-winning charity that provides a home, training, work opportunities and individual support to people who have experienced homelessness.
Staff from the online bathroom retailer worked alongside local volunteers and companions to tend to plants and produce within the garden. Fresh vegetables and fruit are used in our community kitchen and plants are sold at our Charity Superstore in Seaforth.
Ken Manchester, Warehouse Operative at Victorian Plumbing, said: “What a brilliant day! We met the Emmaus staff and companions who made us feel very welcome. We were put to work straight away in the gardens, helping with anything that was asked of us. It was nice to play a small part for one day, to see how the charity helps people and the community they have there. The volunteer day at Emmaus was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”
Victorian Plumbing is the UK’s largest bathroom retailer of branded and in-house designed bathrooms and accessories. The volunteer days at Emmaus Merseyside are part of a national charity partnership between Victorian Plumbing and Emmaus UK. The Merseyside-based company has pledged a year of support to Emmaus communities and groups across the UK.
Marc Bamber, Chief Operating Officer at Emmaus Merseyside, said: “It was great to welcome the teams from Victorian Plumbing who helped us during June. Our gardening team were grateful for some extra help at what is a busy period during the growing season.
“We’ve got exciting plans to expand our community garden and increase production of fresh food, plants and flowers grown locally. On behalf of everyone at Emmaus Merseyside, huge thanks to Victorian Plumbing and their staff for getting involved, learning more about our charity and making a positive impact within our garden.”
Emmaus Merseyside is supported by a team of 16 dedicated local volunteers, in addition to seven individuals who volunteer as trustees. Our Seaforth-based charity also regularly welcomes teams of corporate volunteers who help in the community garden and Charity Superstore.
Find out more about the Emmaus Merseyside charity and social enterprise.