Our charity was delighted to receive three nominations at the Emmaus UK National Assembly, with one resulting in an award!
Held on Sunday and Monday (19-20 October) at the University of Warwick, this annual event is an opportunity for the federation to join together in a celebration of the amazing work that is done across Emmaus communities.
We were thrilled to receive the coveted John Thompson Award recognising an Emmaus community solidarity project, for our international support of Emmaus Satu Mare in Romania.
Community heroes
Also receiving nominations were our Companion, Chris Brant, and volunteer, Sean Turner, who were both recognised in the Community Hero category; Chris in the Outstanding Companion category and Sean in the Outstanding Staff Member, Trustee or Volunteer category.
The John Thompson award was given for our community efforts in sending a 40ft lorry loaded with more than 280 boxes of bric-a-brac and 50 items of furniture to the Romanian Emmaus community in August.
“Absolutely delighted”
Our Chief Executive Officer, Donna Talbot said: “We were absolutely delighted to win this award. Further to the generosity of our donors and the companions here at Emmaus Cambridge, we’ve been supporting Satu Mare with donated items since 2014. Our shipments are heavily relied upon by the community, which rarely receives donations, so it’s a privilege to be able to help them in this way.
“The National Assembly was a fantastic event from start to finish. It was wonderful for companions, staff, and of course the donors of this stock, to be recognised for their kindness and support for our Romanian counterparts, while also recognising the huge contributions of Chris and Sean to our community too, so well deserved.”
Our dedicated companion, Chris Brant, received a Highly Commended in the ‘Community Hero Award for an Outstanding Companion’.
Chris, who is at the heart of our book donation operation, was one of 10 nominees in this category. He does a fantastic job overseeing donations, pricing, displaying and recycling the many hundreds of books donated to us each week.
“Wonderful companion”
Part of his nomination citation read: “Chris Brant is a wonderful companion at Emmaus Cambridge. Chris is very passionate about the Emmaus movement. He is secretary of the Companion Solidarity Committee and Chris greatly values the importance of companions giving back.”
Receiving a Highly Commended Community Hero Award for an Outstanding Staff Member, Trustee or Volunteer, was our talented volunteer Sean Turner, whose shop displays never fail to turn heads.
“Bubbly attitude”
His awards nomination citation read: “Sean makes the most fabulous outstanding displays throughout the year. He has an amazing bubbly attitude which helps the morale of staff, companions and other volunteers.”
Sean said: “I was on holiday in Spain when Lizzie (Operations Assistant) texted me to tell me I’d been nominated and I was really emotional. I felt really choked up and very overwhelmed that I’d been voted for. I want to thank Lizzie for the nomination, which was so lovely of her.” See Sean’s nomination below.
Community members from all over the UK gathered for the Assembly and explored how to create a lasting impact going forward as part of the Assembly’s Sustainable Futures theme for this year.
The event was opened by Emmaus UK Chief Executive Officer, Charlotte Talbott and included a host of guest speakers such as Emmaus UK Ambassador, Jay Flynn MBE, author Kerri Douglas and Emmaus UK President, Sir Terry Waite KCMG CBE.
“Very inspiring event”
Our Operations Assistant Lizzie Gilzean said: “Four staff and two companions attended, along with two trustees and it was a very inspiring event for all of us. Companions and guest speakers were very brave to share their stories and talk about where they are now.
“The very inspiring author, Kerri Douglas, who was homeless at a young age, told her story. To get to where she is now from where she was shows that the sky’s the limit for anyone, not just the companions, but staff as well. It doesn’t matter what your background is, you can still achieve what you want to do.
“For me, that was probably the most poignant moment, listening to her and seeing how she’s flipped her life around, I was crying. As well as being very moving, it was very informative. I learnt a lot being there. It was just good fun mixing and getting out of the work environment for a little while and getting to know people a little bit better on a more personal level as well.”