In the centre of Edinburgh, 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.

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.

“We really do change people’s lives.”

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