A homelessness charity in Mossley hosted a special celebration to thank its many volunteers during an afternoon tea for volunteers' week.

Emmaus Mossley opened in 1997 as the first Emmaus charity in the North West and has since supported more than 500 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion.

It continues to support 26 formerly homeless people from Oldham, Tameside and the surrounding area by providing them with a home, work, companionship and individual support.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

On Thursday (June 1) the charity hosted an event to thank all of its volunteers.

Scones were donated for the afternoon tea celebration by Scóna in Greenfield while specific recognition was given to volunteers, Brenda Cricket and Molly Ridgway.

Brenda is retiring after volunteering for the charity for 16 years.

Molly, who helps as a social media volunteer, has also been shortlisted in the Young Volunteer of the Year category of the national Charity Retail Awards.

Molly said: “Emmaus is always the highlight of my week because it’s my opportunity to get creative and make content for a community I really care about, and have a good laugh with everyone at the same time.

“The Volunteers’ Week event was wonderful because it celebrates the hard work that all the volunteers do for Emmaus Mossley, which is usually behind the scenes.

"I’m also now a big fan of scones.

"To find out that I have been shortlisted for an award definitely caught me by surprise and I can’t stop smiling.”

More than 40 volunteers help out at the charity on a weekly basis and even more volunteer to support specific events and projects.

There are a further 12 volunteers who give their time and expertise as trustees of Emmaus Mossley.

The event coincided with the 90th birthday of one of the first volunteers of the Mossley Heritage Centre, located within Emmaus Mossley's Longlands Mill base.

Marie Clues, a founder member of Mossley Civic Society, was involved in many activities organised by the group and continues to volunteer as the Society’s Honorary President.

Hazel Hodkinson, Retail Manager of Emmaus Mossley, added: “Volunteers’ Week is a fantastic opportunity to thank all of the amazing people who support Emmaus Mossley as volunteers.

"As a charity, we could not achieve all we do without their dedication, time, skills and input, and for that we are extremely grateful.”

This year marks the 39th year of Volunteers' Week, which takes place from June 1-7.

Emmaus Mossley is one of thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK.

This year’s theme of Volunteers’ Week was ‘Celebrate and Inspire’, encouraging people to be the change that they want to see and get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.