A HOMELESSNESS charity in Mossley swapped shop floors for community action as dozens of volunteers lent a hand where it was needed most.
Emmaus Mossley closed its Secondhand Superstore for a day recently, giving 33 companions, staff and volunteers the chance to take part in its annual Solidarity Day.
The day, which took place on Thursday, March 26, was dedicated to supporting local organisations and strengthening community ties.
From clearing paths and sprucing up green spaces to hands-on maintenance work and conservation efforts, a wide range of tasks was tackled across Mossley.
Neil, a resident at Emmaus Mossley, joined a group working in the hills at Dove Stone.
“The group I was with planted little bushes with RSPB to help restore habitat for wildlife,” he said. “I really enjoyed being outside of our community for the afternoon, with the great Dove Stone scenery in Mother Nature’s garden.”
Elsewhere, volunteers worked with Friends of Mossley Park to tidy flower beds and clear pathways, while another group took on practical jobs at Mossley Community Centre, including recoating wooden floors, safety testing electrical items and general tidying.
Teams also supported Mossley Town Team by cutting back overgrown trees and bushes and collecting litter, while others helped clean artefacts and spruce up Queen Street alongside Mossley Heritage Centre.
For local groups, the extra help made a noticeable difference.
Pauline Coates, from Friends of Mossley Park, said: “I’d like to thank the team from Emmaus as they do a remarkable job. Without their help, we’d seriously struggle to keep the gardens as they are. I can’t thank them enough – it’s a huge help to us all!”
Emmaus Mossley supports people who have experienced homelessness, offering accommodation alongside opportunities to gain skills, training and work experience. Acts of solidarity, helping others in the community, are a key part of that journey.
Chief Executive Alison Hill said the day had once again shown the impact of working together locally.
She said: “Seeing our teams work together to make a positive impact in the local area was very inspiring. For those who took part, it was a chance to learn more about voluntary groups in our community and the vital work they do. Our annual Solidarity Day is an opportunity to strengthen our links with local groups, give our support and demonstrate the value of solidarity.”