Emmaus Coventry Trustee shortlisted for lifetime achievement award. Tim Brooke, trustee and founder of Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire, has won a national Housing Heroes Award in the ‘Lifetime achievement in housing’ category.
Since 1992, Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire has supported more than 1,000 formerly homeless people. Based in the Binley area of Coventry, it offers accommodation, support, training and meaningful work in a community setting.
Local resident Tim’s work began 28 years ago when the Coventry Council of Churches decided to do something to tackle growing homelessness in the area. Having witnessed the effectiveness of the Emmaus model years before whilst volunteering in France, he worked with them to gather like-minded volunteers and together they set up this charity: the second Emmaus in the UK.
Emmaus is an international movement helping those in need across the world; there are now 29 communities across the UK.
Tim Brooke has remained a driving force behind the charity, voluntarily undertaking the roles of Chair, trustee and advisor. Speaking about the win, he said:
“’I was delighted and amazed to be given the award. I see it very much as an accolade for Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire and its tried-and-tested model for helping formerly homeless people to get back into mainstream society.”
Chair of Emmaus UK and Trustee of Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire Susan Taylor said: “I was jumping for joy when Tim’s name was announced. He’s an inspiration and has helped create a safe place for socially excluded and vulnerable people to rebuild their lives. Tim is a real hero, having given almost 30 years of his life to this charity as a volunteer. It shows just what can be achieved through determination and kindness.”
“Thanks to Tim’s work, Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire offers people hope and security in a supportive community. There are many people who need help, who want to change their ways and their chances but get stuck or spiral into desperate situations. We provide support, training and a place to live, so they can start to turn their lives around.”
The Housing Heroes Awards 2020 took place at an online awards ceremony on Thursday 10 September as part of ‘Housing 2020: The Virtual Festival’.