Upholsterers making their mark thanks to Emmaus

Three former homeless people supported by Emmaus Mossley have completed an upholstery training course and their first finished pieces are now on sale.

The trio completed a one-week training course, funded by the Emmaus UK Companion Training Fund and delivered by NFS Upholstery is Stalybridge.

Each trainee began their course by making and covering a small foot stool and then each chose a different type of chair to upholster.

Alex McGorrin was one of the three members of the Emmaus Mossley community who completed the upholstery training course.

Alex said: “The course has given me loads of new skills and given me a lift. I’m now in the workshop more often, bringing furniture back to life.”

All the finished upholstered pieces are now on sale at the Emmaus Mossley second hand superstore.

They include a high winged-back reading chair, chaise-longue and matching footstool, and an armchair with matching footstool.

Alison Hill, Director of Emmaus Mossley, said: “Helping our community members to use, develop and gain skills to enable them to progress in their lives is what Emmaus is all about.

"We’re delighted with the training delivered and glad that our trainees have already been able to put their skills to good use on a variety of projects.”

Following on from the course, trainees Alex and Pete upholstered a chair that was used for ‘Are You Sitting comfortably’ – an art installation by Emma Turner that was exhibited as part of the recent International Arts and Homelessness Festival in Manchester.

Furniture items have also been repaired and upholstered for sale in the Emmaus superstore.

Emmaus Mossley supports 26 formerly homeless people by providing them with a home and work in a community setting.

The charity runs a social enterprise in Mossley, selling donated and upcycled furniture, household goods, clothes, bric-a-brac and vintage wares.

To find out more or support Emmaus Mossley head to: www.emmaus.org.uk/mossley.

If you would like to get involved or donate an item, please call 01457 838608 or visit the store at Longlands Mill, Queen Street, Mossley, OL5 9AH.

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