Business professionals swap power dressing for power tools

Cosgrove Care’s faire belle is a new shopfront on Kilmarnock Road in Shawlands, selling restored and renewed furniture and interior design pieces.

The charity is looking for firms to sponsor the new venture by donating time in terms of staff and management giving a few hours of their work time to help develop the workshop and work with trainees on various upcycling projects.

Property firm Slater Hogg’s Shawlands branch have chosen Cosgrove to be their nominated charity.

This month, staff will swap their business suits for dungarees to help paint faire belle’s shop interior.

At the launch of faire belle, Provost Alasdair Carmichael cut the ribbon and was joined by MP Ken Macintosh.

Specially invited guests included trainee Ethan, who has worked on the latest project from the start.

He was delighted to see all his good work come to fruition with showcase pieces taking pride of place in the new shop.

He said: “I enjoyed working and learning new skills. I don’t have a favourite because I did painting, sanding, polishing — and I liked it all.”

Ethan’s mum, Bev, added: “Ethan looks forward to going to faire belle every week and has a real sense of achievement after working with the furniture.”

Appealing for supporters to woo shops and businesses, a spokesman said: “We need people to spread the word about sponsoring faire belle with time, expertise and items to get the upcycle treatment. Ask DIY and decorating shops to donate fancy finishings such as doorknobs or drawer handles, fabric offcuts, fancy wallbrackets and other embellishments — things that will enhance the finished items. Donating pieces for upcycling or just giving an hour or two a month will be greatly appreciated.”

Cosgrove Care is a charity that specialises in providing personalised support and care services for children and adults who have learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders, and mental health issues living in and around Glasgow and East Renfrewshire. To find out how you can help, check out cosgrovecare.org.uk/#sthash.kdUIoGZT.dpuf