Inspired and supported by Cyrenians Good Food in Tackling Homelessness programme (FareShare), who supply most of our food as well as the most of the food to around fifty agencies in Edinburgh and West Lothian, we began running cooking classes offering not just basic kitchen skills and food education and hygiene, but an opportunity to train and develop volunteers from our client base. We have found that the value of this is not just in imparting skills, but giving people a sense of purpose and value. Graduates have gone on to volunteer in our teams as well as moving into full time education or employment. We plan to roll this out on a far larger scale in a purpose built training kitchen situated within the new building.

In partnership with the Edinburgh Cyrenians we also run a woodwork workshop (GROW, Greyfriars Recycling Of Wood) using old, often antique, church pews and turning them into beautiful pieces of furniture. Bespoke pieces, commissioned by customers and finished to the highest standards of craftsmanship, we have made mirrors, seats, tables and chairs even fireplaces from pine, oak and beech, unique furniture with a social conscience. Staffed by volunteers from within the service user group this project has been very successful..

The possibilities are endless and we may in the future be in a position to create new projects such as a dark room for photography, and a work team for hire, a catering company, and a tapestry/clothing creating group. These project will give men and women who feel they have nothing to contribute the opportunity to gain self-worth and purpose, working together to make a difference for themselves and their community. Putting dignity back into their lives.