Orchard Square, the food, leisure and shopping destination located in the heart of the city centre, has announced that The Archer Project will remain the venue’s chosen charity of the year for the second year running, building on work and funds raised to date.
The announcement follows news that award-winning social enterprise business Printed By Us, owned by The Archer Project, has re-opened at bigger premises within the Square following a successful initial opening period, allowing them to accommodate screen-printing and workshops on site alongside more shop floor space.
The Archer Project is a day centre for homeless and vulnerable adults attached to the back of Sheffield Cathedral, less than a mile from Orchard Square. It is a safe, warm, welcoming environment where people can come to take steps to change their lives from sleeping bag to employment. The Archer Project works to provide crisis support, medical support, move-on opportunities through activities, one to one case working, development opportunities through a volunteer scheme, and work place openings through social enterprises – one being Printed By Us.
Printed By Us uses technology for social good, running workshops to teach vulnerable people the craft of hand screen-printing. The products – which include exclusive art prints, mugs, t-shirts and sweaters – are sold online and in shops with profits put back into running more screen-printing workshops.
Orchard Square’s street food destination, Sheffield Plate has recently worked with Printed By Us to produce the venue’s new uniform.
Commenting on this recent initiative, Orchard Square Manager, Shay Murray, says: “We are proud to continue our support for The Archer Project in their ongoing work across our local communities.
“Our retailers are working in various ways to support The Archer Project from donations to sleep-outs, as well as commissioning bespoke artwork as part of the sleeping bag donation scheme.
“And where better to go for the new Sheffield Plate uniform than Printed By Us! Working with Printed By Us has given us high-quality printing on ethically made garments, while supporting positive change for vulnerable people to learn new skills. Our thanks to the Printed By Us team – we are delighted with the result!”
Lynne Urpeth from The Archer Project, comments: “We are grateful for the continued support from our city centre neighbour, Orchard Square for their support of both The Archer Project and our Social Enterprise, Printed By Us.
“At Printed by Us we work to give opportunities to vulnerable people to help them move forward towards fulfilling lives. Our profits go back into running more screen-printing workshops and supporting more vulnerable adults into employment. Our thanks to Sheffield Plate for collaborating with us for their new uniform – which we think looks fabulous!”
“We’re looking forward to working with Orchard Square on several exciting projects and events over the next year as we develop our partnership into 2023 and beyond.”
