We were delighted to recently welcome Erith and Thamesmead MP Abena Oppong-Asare to our community home and nearby charity shop.
Ms Oppong-Asare met some of the charity companions – the term used for people who are supported by Emmaus – at Elmley Street in Plumstead on Friday 6th September. Luli talked about his application for British Citizenship, and the MP met Joanne, who was selecting items to list for our eBay store.
In our image gallery below you can see the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office met our Cook and Catering Coach, Mischaley, who helps people living at Emmaus Greenwich with healthy eating, and Retail Manager Simon, who oversees our charity shops.
The MP also visited the nearby charity shop adjacent to the community building, where the Emmaus community work together to reuse and recycle donations of household items and furniture.
Ms Oppong-Asare, who is Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, said: “It was inspiring to visit Emmaus Greenwich. The work that they do makes a real difference to people trying to overcome homelessness, giving them support, skills and the confidence to build a better life for themselves. This type of community work is so important, and I thank them and their companions for taking the time to speak to me about their experiences.
“This government is committed to seriously tackling homelessness across the UK, with the new cross government – Homelessness Taskforce which will develop a long-term strategy to combat this issue. Working alongside organisations like Emmaus, we have a real chance to improve the lives of so many suffering unnecessarily, building dynamic local communities with empowered citizens in the process.”
Emmaus Greenwich was opened by King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, in 2008, to provide a solution to homelessness. By offering a stable living environment and the opportunity to gain new skills through social enterprise, Emmaus empowers individuals to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Sofia Barbosa, Chief Executive of Emmaus Greenwich, welcomed the MP’s visit. Sofia said: “We are grateful to MP Abena Oppong-Asare for visiting Emmaus Greenwich to see the work we are doing to help people move on from homelessness.
“Abena listened to both companions and staff, and recognised our concerns about the struggles people are facing in the city, including difficulties in accessing affordable housing, affording furniture, and securing the right to remain in the country.”
The visit underscored the importance of local and governmental support in tackling homelessness and highlighting the role of community-driven initiatives in providing long-term solutions.
To find out more about supporting Emmaus Greenwich and how you can get involved, you can visit our Support Us page here.