Grassmarket furniture project 'turning lives around' Edinburgh By Elizabeth Quigley

BBC Scotland news Published duration 7 March 2014

media caption The project creates top of the range furniture

In the centre of Edinburgh, unwanted furniture is being given a new lease of life.

Old church pews and top quality but discarded wood are turned into bespoke, highly sought-after items.

However, the Grassmarket Community Project is not just about creating top of the range furniture - it's about turning lives around.

The project aims to support people through transitions in their lives and re-connect disengaged people.

The Grassmarket Community Project is a partnership between the Grassmarket Mission and Greyfriars Kirk.

image caption Grassmarket Furniture is now a very successful social enterprise

Originally focussed on helping the homeless, the project now reaches out to all adults who have been marginalised. It also hopes to include the wider community.

Grassmarket Furniture is now a very successful social enterprise, which aims to provide support, training and access to real jobs.

Tommy Steel, the workshop manager, said it was "very successful" at turning lives around.

He said: "There are lots of vulnerable people in the city who need support.

"There is a lot of talent within these vulnerable people, so by giving them the opportunity and teaching skills and teasing out the skills they already have, we can really change people's lives.