Emmaus is a homelessness charity providing more than just a bed for the night for people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion.
We provide a home for as long as someone needs it and meaningful work opportunities in our social enterprise. Living in a stable environment with work experience helps our companions, as the people we support are known as, to regain lost self-esteem and the confidence to get back on their feet.
How it works
There are currently more than 30 Emmaus communities and groups across the UK, providing a home and meaningful work opportunities to 850 formerly homeless people. Some of these are emerging groups, working hard to establish a community from the ground upwards.
Like any flourishing community, Emmaus is most successful when everyone makes a contribution. For us, that means contributing to the community together in the community home or one of the social enterprises, to help generate the funds needed to support the community and fellow companions.
People are asked to give 40 hours per week, or as much as people are able to, to the Emmaus community home and social enterprises. People joining Emmaus Greenwich are asked to sign off all benefits with the exception of Housing Benefit, which is claimed to help support the community. The ultimate goal is for each community to become self-sufficient, supporting itself with the revenue it generates from the sale of donated goods in the charity shops.
The Emmaus model has a huge impact on restoring confidence and self-respect, as companions take responsibility for keeping their community going and contribute a great deal to support themselves and others.
Emmaus is not about giving hand-outs, it’s about providing people with the tools to help themselves. This approach has been proven to produce long-term, sustainable results. For the many people who have been stuck in a cycle of homelessness, Emmaus provides the space and support needed to take stock in life and make positive changes for the future.
Our impact
Our research shows that more than three quarters of companions who have lived at Emmaus for a few months say that engaging with work opportunities to the best of their ability and having something to do every day has been the most beneficial part of their experience.
Having the opportunity to participate in meaningful activity, helps to restore self-esteem and a sense of wellbeing.
Solidarity
Solidarity, helping others less fortunate than yourself, is central to the Emmaus way of life. Everyone at Emmaus, including companions, staff, trustees and volunteers, is encouraged to carry out acts of solidarity to support people who need it most.
For companions, in particular, this has a huge impact on confidence and self-worth, showing people we can make a difference to someone else’s life and add value to the lives of people around us.
Emmaus in the world
Emmaus isn’t just in the UK, in fact it originally started in France in the 1940s. Since then Emmaus has grown into an international movement with more than 400 groups based in over 40 countries across the world.
Find out more about the history of Emmaus and the work of Emmaus International.