Emmaus Sheffield is a charity and social enterprise which provides accommodation and practical skills training to 14 formerly homeless people, located in Sipelia Works on Blast Lane, just off the Parkway. Part of a wider network of similar initiatives, Emmaus is all about boosting the self-esteem and employability of marginalised people in the city, building up a supportive and inclusive community of people who can share practical, transferable skills with each other. In other words, a fantastic endeavour which deserves all the support it can get.
Most of the charity’s funds come from the sale of furniture, bric-a-brac, clothes, toys, vinyl and other assorted items – all of them in good condition and very reasonably priced – but at the moment Emmaus is looking to regenerate the north wing of the building to expand its accommodation capacity and provide traditional little mesters workspaces for local people to use. This is a major undertaking that will require the charity to raise £1.7 million.
Sipelia Works is a stunning Grade II Listed building, but without financial support could end up in a state of dilapidation. As you might imagine, it’s quite hard to raise £1.7 million by selling furniture, particularly at such pleasantly discounted prices, so Emmaus is appealing to the public to make donations to this very worthy cause.
Now more than ever, with government and private funding streams growing more and more scarce, local charities and community groups need the support of the general public to continue to flourish. So many are providing vital services to the community on a shoe-string budget.
If you can help in any way, however small the donation, visit justgiving.com/emmaus-sheffield
You can get in touch with Emmaus by phoning 0114 272 0677 or e-mailing enquiry@emmaus-sheffield.org.uk
For more info, visit emmaus-sheffield.org.uk
