CRASH completes the redevelopment of Emmaus South Lambeth, a new home and a place of hope and dignity for 11 formerly homeless people.

Emmaus provides homeless men and women with a home, purposeful work and the chance to rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive community for as long as they need it. The charity helps companions (residents) restore their self-esteem and confidence by working in their social enterprise shops and the community buildings gaining new skills and work experience. Companions perform various roles in the community, like retail assistants, drivers, van crew, cooks, logistics staff or cleaners. Emmaus offers monthly support meetings, counselling, further education, courses and other means of support necessary to assist companions in achieving their goals and ultimately returning to work and independent living when they feel ready to do so. 

Emmaus South Lambeth also offer signposting advice to other agencies and volunteering opportunities for non-residential clients. They support on average 50 people per year through their service.

The need

Emmaus purchased a three-storey semi-detached house with six bedrooms, a staff flat and a good-sized garden. Emmaus wanted to upgrade the ground floor with a new kitchen, a new bathroom, new flooring and redecorating. They also wanted to redevelop the second floor and the flat to create more bedrooms, converting the property into an 11 bedroom home to help more homeless people get off the street into a safe, supportive environment. All the bathrooms were huge because the property was previously a care home for disabled people. Emmaus wanted to redevelop the bathrooms on the first and second floors to better utilise the space by converting them into smaller shower rooms. 

Adding additional bedrooms to the property will enable Emmaus to provide three more people with a safe and supportive home. The projects will also secure work for two support staff members to lead the core services by increasing the number of companions.  

The solution

CRASH and our Corporate Patrons and supporters transformed Emmaus South Lambeth into an 11-bedroom home for formerly homeless men and women to help them rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive community, for as long as they need it. Companions now have new bedrooms to make their own and a new kitchen to cook their meals. Beautiful relaxing shower rooms replaced the old ill-functioning bathrooms. The upgraded heating system, new flooring, and redecoration created a bright and spacious home and community building that will help many people rebuild their lives now and into the future. 

How CRASH Corporate Patrons helped

The redevelopment of Emmaus South Lambeth was a great collaboration between CRASH, our Corporate Patrons and supporters with an additional grant from The Story of Christmas. CRASH Corporate Patron Arcadis donated professional services and expert advice for the project, and fellow Patrons British Gypsum, Dulux Trade, Geberit and Kilnbridge donated products and materials to complete the works. Supporters Heckmondwike and Altro provided discounted flooring. 

The support provided by CRASH and our Corporate Patrons and supporters saved Emmaus a huge £67,945 off the final project cost, this included: