Getting Emulsional about Changing Lives

Changing Lives are a brilliant charity who help support people experiencing homelessness or other challenges, so they can change their lives for the better.

Today they needed our help supporting someone with decorating their flat, as they were unable to do it themselves due to health issues. Using a paint pack from the council, and with the support of the Changing Lives staff who had everything prepped and ready, our job was to spruce up a very sad looking room into somewhere lovely (or lovelier anyway, they knew our skill level 🤣)

We arrived by bike and foot, and quickly divvied up the tasks and came up with a plan of action, while the paint was kindly poured into trays for us. Hannah and I took on the ceiling, with one always-in-the-way ladder and one not-even-slightly-attached roller on a long stick (which wibbled it's way off it's roller-holder about once a minute, much to Hannah's frustration), moving the carpet protecting rugs around as we went like a weird game of Tetris.

Leanne appointed herself bag lady, and quickly taped bin bags all around the edges of the room so that edging could begin. Meanwhile Michael started rolling the grey (which was actually a nice blue) wall paint, while Emma, Lucy and Max started edging, with roles switching as we went. Linda from Changing Lives joined us for a bit too with the edging.

In no time we were approaching the finish line, with Lucy perched like an eagle on the windowsill, Max and Michael performing the standard Tall Person role of reaching the high gaps, Hannah finishing the ceiling, and the rest of us furiously (but neatly) edging. And done! It may not have been perfect, but the room was left looking much more homely and comfortable than when we arrived, and the occupant was very happy.

We celebrated our success with a colossal and delicious lunch at the Old Greengrocer's. Lucy "Is duck and pancakes too decadent for lunch?" "No!" Before heading our separate ways in the sunshine.