A Bolton homelessness charity is appealing for volunteers to champion its social enterprises in the town centre and to help give back to the community.

Emmaus Bolton, a registered charity providing a home and meaningful work for up to 22 people with experience of homelessness, together with volunteers, works to provide a wide range of shops, support and services in Bolton. 

And the charity is now asking residents to become volunteers as there are several roles available in its new-looked preloved clothing and fashion section and bric-a-brac department.

Emmaus is looking for people who can commit a small amount of time each week to working in a team at the hub of its shops, café and services off Fletcher Street in Bolton.

Bolton-born Sue Green has been travelling from Wigan for four years to volunteer for Emmaus Bolton as a bric-a-brac volunteer, after “falling in love with the place” during an initial visit to the charity’s Café Pierre with her sister.  

Sue said: “While it is about giving back, volunteering is also selfishly about giving me something. It’s about finding that place where I fit in. It gives me a sense of purpose.

“As a volunteer, I have time to build a rapport with regular customers and I like talking to the people who deal in second-hand items, who come in to flip things. 

“The people here are great. I’m always greeted with a smile.” 

The shops and services provided by Emmaus Bolton include a food bank, several second-hand and new charity shops, a furniture-making and upcycling service, a low-cost café, a charity garden centre and a Scrap Store selling recycled surplus arts and crafts. 

Appealing for volunteers, Sue said: “Volunteering is a fantastic steppingstone into employment.

“You are able to develop skills by making informed choices and decisions and communicate with such a wide variety of people.  

“For individuals who aren’t sure whether they can volunteer, for a health reason for instance, try it for as little or as long as you want.

“We’re patient here and there are lots of different roles to suit different personalities. There’s something for everyone here.”   

To find out more about the volunteer roles currently available at Emmaus Bolton at Derby Barracks on Fletcher Street in Bolton, visit emmaus.org.uk/bolton/support-us/volunteer-roles/ or get in touch with Tony or Lisa at info@emmausbolton.org.uk and (01204) 398056.  

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.