Research shows that for every £1 invested in an Emmaus community, there is an £11 social, environmental and economic return, with savings to the benefits bill, health services and a reduction in crime.
We can offer up to 27 people at a time the chance to live in our community, which means that they have the opportunity to learn the skills involved in running a retail business such as driving, customer service, selling and Portable Appliance Testing. They also have the opportunity to improve numeracy and literacy skills and take the time to work through any issues they may have in a supportive environment.
We also make a significant contribution to keeping things out of landfill, which benefits the environment. Our customers buy hundreds of tonnes of previously owned household goods each year, which would otherwise have ended up in landfill.
Reusing an item of furniture saves the energy associated with manufacturing a new one, which has an enormous and positive impact on reducing CO2 emissions. It also gives a whole new purpose to an item which may be finished with by one person but which still has plenty of life left in it.
As a community we are also seeking to reduce the impact that we have on the environment. Our community building is energy efficient and we are starting to grow our own vegetables in our community garden.