This World Homeless Day (10 October), we are calling on local people to help establish a residential community for homeless people in the Duchy.
We are working towards setting up the first Emmaus community in Cornwall which will provide a home for as long as needed, work experience opportunities, funded training and daily support for people who have experienced homelessness.
We are currently seeking suitable land with residential and commercial property to establish our Emmaus community and we’re appealing to the people of Cornwall to get in touch if they have any land which may be suitable or if they know of any party who may be able to help.
The Emmaus charity is long-established in the UK and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The first Emmaus community opened in 1991 and there are now 28 communities with a total of 850 rooms. Since 1991, Emmaus has supported 16,000 people and we want to help contribute to this number by supporting homeless people in Cornwall.
Sue Trewella, Chair of Trustees at Emmaus Cornwall, said:
“The housing crisis in Cornwall has reached catastrophic heights over the past two years. The ever-increasing number of people who have found themselves without the basic human right of a roof over their head is huge. Rough sleeping as a part of that picture has not been solved in Cornwall, and suitable accommodation solutions are really limited.
“At Emmaus Cornwall, we have a vision to help people who have experienced homelessness find a place to call home and meaningful employment so they can build independence and a positive life. Unlike other initiatives, we are focusing on a long-term plan for ongoing support and people will be able to live at our Emmaus community for as long as they need to while accessing a range of suitable employment and training opportunities, ensuring residents can become self-sufficient.
“To achieve this, we need help from the people of Cornwall. We are looking for suitable land to provide a safe and secure base for people to start their new lives. Whether its unused farmland or empty units, we are open to suggestions and have some funds available. This is an opportunity to really make a difference to the lives of people who have been homeless. All we need is the space to allow us to deliver this vital solution and change lives, forever.”
If you can help us find suitable land for our community, contact us by emailing [email protected] or calling 01726 817432.
If you would like to make a donation to Emmaus Cornwall, please visit our donation page.