I went to a second-hand supermarket less than half an hour from Liverpool city centre

I’ve always loved browsing in a thrift store. It’s great when you find something completely unique at a bargain price. It’s even better knowing that your purchase is going to a good cause and keeping trash out of a landfill.

Emmaus Merseyside is an award-winning charity that provides homes, one-to-one support, education, training and work opportunities for the homeless. The charity runs a huge supermarket stocking everything from furniture and electrical goods to books and bric-a-brac.

All proceeds from sales in the charity shop go to support the formerly homeless people living in the Emmaus Merseyside community centre. Everyone who lives in the Emmaus community contributes to their social enterprise by helping out in the charity superstore or in the delivery vans.

The first thing you notice when you enter the Emmaus Charity Superstore on Sandy Road in Seaforth is how huge it actually is, with its warehouse lined with rows and rows of unwanted items just waiting to be purchased.

I honestly believe that the supermarket probably has everything you can think of in stock. There are cupboards, wardrobes, washing machines, suitcases, fitness equipment – just about anything.

I’ve found table and chair sets for under £100, coffee tables for £30 and computer desks for £30. There are also electrical items such as coffee machines, speakers and TVs that come with a 28-day money-back guarantee.

There are also more unusual items that would be perfect for people who enjoy restoring things. If I had the space and talent to be one of those people then I would definitely have taken home a £70 old sewing machine.

There were other bits and pieces between the rows of furniture. There were rowing machines, pet beds, suitcases and boxes of picture frames. Like any charity shop, there were shelves full of books, costing 50p for paperbacks and £1 for hardbacks. These shelves were also full of knick-knacks, including cups, glasses and decorative items.

On the top floor of the supermarket is the ’boutique’. In this room there were rails of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing as well as shoes, bags and other accessories. I found a gingham dress for £3 and a knitted cardigan for £1.50, both of which are very good quality – an absolute bargain if you ask me. You can find out more about the charity and the supermarket on the website here.