Martine Wilson
Upholsterer
When I moved into Emmaus Oxford, I felt pretty hopeless and down on myself. My health was very bad. I became too ill even to work in the store – I felt like I’d never be fit to do anything again.
Then the sessions in the Workshop started. I’d found a donated World War II escape map used by servicemen to escape from behind enemy lines. We had the map scanned and printed onto upholstery fabric and I used it used to reupholster a set of chairs. I started to think about becoming an upholsterer. I wanted to learn all the traditional skills and be able to repair and restore things, make them beautiful again and give them the love they deserve.
Emmaus paid for me to attend a one-week professional upholstery course at the Oxford School of Upholstery. This gave me the confidence to enrol on a formal course. I was fortunate to get a Crisis Changing Lives Grant, which covered the course fees and Emmaus supported me by paying for material costs. I have also been lucky to get a range of different fabrics donated.
Being settled in one place has given me the opportunity to plan for the future. I now have a clear focus; my goal is to become an upholsterer and furniture restorer. My health is much better. I’m swimming and taking care of myself and I feel excited when I think about my future and the things I could do. I’m back working at the store after being away for more than a year, but I’m most happy when I’m here at the Workshop – I feel like I’m building my life back.
“I can’t believe how much things have changed for me. I have made things I am so proud of and I can actually think about what I want to do and about moving on. I actually feel excited about my future!”
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