Emmaus Mossley volunteers lend a helping hand across the community on Solidarity Day

Community members from Emmaus Mossley have joined forces with local groups across Mossley to deliver a day of volunteering as part of the charity’s annual Solidarity Day.

On Thursday 26 March, the charity closed its Secondhand Superstore to allow everyone involved – including companions (people supported by Emmaus), staff and volunteers – to take part. In total, 33 people split into teams to support five organisations: Friends of Mossley Park, Mossley Community Centre, Mossley Heritage Centre, Mossley Town Team and RSPB Dove Stone.

Emmaus Mossley supports people to overcome homelessness by providing not just a home, but tailored support to help individuals rebuild their lives.

Neil, a resident at Emmaus Mossley who volunteered on the day, said: “The group I was with planted little bushes with RSPB to help restore habitat for wildlife. I really enjoyed being outside of our community for the afternoon, with the great Dove Stone scenery in Mother Nature’s garden.”

Volunteers took on a wide range of practical tasks across the town. At Mossley Park, teams worked alongside Friends of Mossley Park to clear pathways and tidy flower beds. Others visited Mossley Community Centre, where they re-coated wooden floors, carried out electrical safety testing and helped spruce up the space.

Another group teamed up with Mossley Town Team to cut back overgrown trees and bushes while removing litter, helping to improve the local environment. Meanwhile, volunteers at Mossley Heritage Centre cleaned museum artefacts and helped tidy Queen Street.

In the afternoon, a team travelled to Dove Stone to assist with spring planting and habitat restoration, supporting conservation efforts in the area.

Pauline Coates, a volunteer with Friends of Mossley Park, praised the effort: “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!”

Solidarity is a key principle of the Emmaus movement. As part of their journey, companions are encouraged to support others while gaining valuable skills, work experience and confidence through training and personal development.

Alison Hill, CEO of Emmaus Mossley, 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.”

To find out more about Emmaus Mossley, visit https://emmaus.org.uk/mossley/