Volunteers wanted as charity expands

Based in Sipelia Works, a former cutlery factory, the charity provides previously homeless people with self-contained accommodation, training facilities and a workspace.

It currently has space for 13 people – known as “companions” –and wants to extend the premises to raise that number to 17.

In addition, the £1.7m project will restore and preserve the Grade Two-listed Sipelia Works, which is one of the last surviving 19th century cutlery factory sites in Sheffield.

Now, the charity says it is also looking for a “fresh intake” of volunteers who will work in the second-hand store and the site kitchen, giving the Emmaus “companions” more time to work on their fundraising campaign.

Manager Graham Bostock said: “Volunteers have always been an important part of the work we do at Emmaus and now we need their support more than ever before.

“We’re particularly keen to find somebody who has the time to help prepare meals for our companions.

“That’s a volunteer who can spare perhaps two to four days a week and looks forward to the challenge of cooking for 13 hungry blokes.

“At the same time, we’re also looking for people with retail experience who can spare a few hours to work in our shop, manning the till and dealing with customers.

“No day is ever the same at Emmaus, but it’s a great environment.”

For further details, call 0114 272 0677.