Emmaus Suffolk is using this year’s Recycle Week (20-26 September) to show that recycling isn’t just good for the environment, but it’s also a great way to combat social isolation and loneliness.
All our volunteers get access to regular upcycling sessions in the Emmaus Suffolk workshop in Sailmakers Shopping Centre, Ipswich. During these sessions, volunteers receive hands-on tuition in how to turn old furniture, otherwise destined for landfill, into beautiful, bespoke items which are then sold in the Emmaus Suffolk shops in Ipswich and Felixstowe. All money raised going back into the charity so it can continue to support people across the county.
We also run a weekly sewing group, where volunteers recycle old, donated fabric, such as bedding and curtains, and create new items which are then sold in the Emmaus Suffolk shops. This includes wax wraps, reusable face wipes, baby clothes, bags and hats.
The purpose of the workshops and sewing group goes beyond using unwanted items to create new beautiful upcycled items. These groups and volunteer opportunities were established to create a safe and encouraging environment in which people can access the support they may need while getting stuck into a fun and creative project. The support provided by Emmaus Suffolk includes benefit and housing advice, budgeting skills, job-seeking support and support with health and wellbeing.
Dominique started volunteering with Emmaus Suffolk after she experienced anxiety brought on by a family bereavement and was dealing with the effects of Fibromyalgia. She is now an active member of the Emmaus Suffolk sewing group and uses her skills to turn donated, unwanted fabrics into brand new, bespoke items.
Talking about volunteering at Emmaus Suffolk, Dominique says:
“Becoming a volunteer at Emmaus Suffolk has transformed my life. It has given me a sense of wellbeing; a sense of purpose. I no longer feel like I am just wasting away. There’s always someone there to talk to, I smile more now, and I properly laugh.”
As well as upcycling and recycling, Emmaus Suffolk also diverts tonnes of unwanted items from local landfill every year through its charity shops in Ipswich and Felixstowe. This doesn’t just reduce the amount in landfill; according to WRAP, it takes less energy and fewer emissions to recycle than to make things from scratch, which is why recycling saves a total of 18 million tonnes of CO2 a year in the UK.
The theme for this year’s Recycle Week, which is now in its 18th year, is ‘Step It Up this Recycle Week. According to the team behind Recycle Week, 55% of households still put items in the general rubbish that could be recycled.
Claire Staddon, Chief Executive at Emmaus Suffolk said:
“We all know that recycling is good for the environment, but here in Suffolk we’re also using it to support people out of social isolation and loneliness and prevent homelessness.
“Our workshops have proven to be incredibly successful at reaching those who need a bit of extra support by providing a welcoming and encouraging space. But more than this, they have provided an opportunity to unleash creativity that many of our volunteers didn’t know they had. They are now using that creativity to produce beautiful items of furniture that we sell in our shops to raise money for our charity.
“We would encourage anyone experiencing loneliness, or who feels socially excluded, to get in touch with our team and join us as a volunteer and spend some time in our workshops. You will be surprised at what you can create with a little support from our team.”