Reducing the amount of items we send to landfill is an key part of the Emmaus model.
In 2017-18 Emmaus saved more than 12,000 tonnes of goods from going to landfill around the UK.
Our community depends on donations of second-hand items to keep our shops stocked up, and if there is anything we can’t sell in he condition we receive it in, we will always try to find a way to reuse donations, often finding quirky ways to do it.
All items that are upcycled and restored in the workshop go on sale in our showrooms to help raise money to support our community, which is home to up to 32 people working hard to rebuild their lives following homelessness.
Through upcycling and recycling some of the donations we receive, companions learn new skills and are able to unleash their creative flair!
Upcycling Workshops
This Autumn we’re excited to be running two Upcycling Workshops at our stunning Ditchingham site, on November 16th & December 7th. In this four hour workshop guests are shown how to give their old pieces of furniture a new lease of life and receive expert tuition on painting, distressing and aging items.
Book your tickets here
Bespoke items straight from our workshop...
Upcycled items from Emmaus
You will find some upcycled items dotted around in our furniture showrooms from time to time, but the majority of the items will be on display in our dedicated upcycling area.
Make sure to reach the end of the showrooms in our main building to find numerous upcycled treats in store.
Drew, Emmaus Resident“When the furniture comes into the workshop, it’s a bit battered but we see the potential it has and we restore it to something beautiful again. It’s a bit like when we come to Emmaus; we might have had a rough time but Emmaus gives us a chance to sort our lives out.”
Want something upcycled?
Pick your furniture, pick your colour!
Our workshop offers customers the opportunity to select a piece of furniture in our shop and then choose which colour to paint it. The perfect way to make something original or suit your own colour scheme at home.
For those who are interested, please speak to a member of the community who will advise on pricing and design.
It's not all furniture.
The more our residents are in the workshop, the more creative they become. So, when it was time to refurbish the customer bathroom, residents re-designed the room themselves using donated music pages for wallpaper!
