Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire companion Matt reports:
“This is my fourth year as a companion here at Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed organising trips to visit different places and, in particular, other Emmaus communities.
In the past, these travels have even taken me abroad. In 2019 I had the chance to go and help out at the Emmaus in Togo, Africa. I stayed for three weeks; it was an amazing experience.
This year I took myself on holiday to Scotland, to visit Emmaus Glasgow and explore famous Scottish landmarks. It was my first time in Scotland.
I flew up and spent three days staying in a spare companion room above one of Emmaus Glasgow’s shops. I enjoyed my time there, though it felt very different living in such an urban area. The community accommodation at Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire is in a greener, quieter place.
I helped out whilst I was there, working in the community home, on the vans and in the shop. The Glasgow companions I met were welcoming and friendly. Before I left, I cooked them all a couple of tasty meals to say thank you.
After my Emmaus visit, I travelled to go and see Edinburgh and Stirling. I took a guided bus tour around Edinburgh. One of my favourite parts of the Stirling area was visiting the statue commemorating Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Bannockburn.
I’m happy I went, and I enjoyed the trip. It was nice to experience new things and see new places, but it was also good to be home. I’m now busy thinking about where my next trip will take me.”