A new lease of life for an old barracks supporting homeless people and the wider community.
Emmaus Leicestershire Marks Anniversary by Saying Thank You
Emmaus Leicestershire and Hinckley marked their first anniversary by saying thank you to everyone who helped them reach this milestone.
The need
Emmaus Communities enable people to move on from homelessness, providing work and a home in a supportive, family environment. Companions, as residents are known, work full time collecting renovating and reselling donated furniture. This work supports the Community financially and enables residents to develop skills, rebuild their self-respect and help others in greater need.
Companions receive accommodation, food, clothing and a small weekly allowance, but for many, the greatest benefit is a fresh start. To join a Community, they sign off unemployment benefits and agree to participate in the life and work of the Community and abide by its rules, for example not bringing drugs or alcohol into the Community.
Emmaus Leicestershire and Hinckley approached CRASH for assistance establishing ‘The Emporium’ a large retail space used to sell second hand furniture, books and bric a brac etc which generates income to support the community.
The solution
CRASH reached out to patrons for support in the completion of this project.
How patrons helped
The project received a generous donation of paint from CRASH patron partner Dulux Trade and was named as the beneficiary of the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) annual dinner. The Emporium was officially launched in 2012 by president of Emmaus UK Terry Waite CBE.
The social impact
“When you have been homeless and unemployed, you often feel that you have become invisible. The support that we have had since we came to Hinckley with our Community and shop has been extraordinary and has helped the people who live and work here to turn their lives around and show that they have the potential to make a positive contribution. Without the companies and individuals who supported us when we were just getting started and contributed to our vision, we would not be where we are today,”
Community leader
“Homelessness is a cause close to my heart because I believe that everyone should have a sense of belonging and that is what Emmaus gives people who have lost everything. Since I have been volunteering, my opinion about homeless People and the reasons why they become homeless has changed. When people in the wider community heard that Emmaus was setting up a Community and shop in the town, there was some resistance. People are often suspicious of what they don’t understand. I now see that what has happened to the lads at Emmaus Leicestershire is what can happen to anybody. They are just like us. They are our sons and grandsons. I think Emmaus is slowly becoming part of the wider community and I think it will become even more so. The best way to understand how desperate people can get through no fault of their own is to come and talk to the people who live and work here.
“I don’t feel I am doing anything special or am being particularly good by volunteering. In fact I get as much as I give. I enjoy contributing to something that has a purpose and working with and chatting to people helps me to feel part of life, a feeling that can go once you are retired. I can’t speak highly enough about Emmaus and how proud I am to be part of it. It’s not a free ride for the residents; there are rules that they have to abide by and they have to work hard to make their business succeed, but it changes lives.”
Volunteer at Emmaus Leicestershire