In 2020, Emmaus Greenwich merged with the Coombe Trust and joined forces with Street Souls, a bi-monthly night offering support to people sleeping rough in London. Volunteers distributed food, toiletries, and moral support to up to 200 people a night. Unfortunately, when the pandemic arrived Street Souls had to be put on hold, but we are now getting ready to re-launch in Summer 2022.
Gen Rogers will be heading up the project. Before joining Emmaus Greenwich, Gen co-ordinated a project which supported migrants throughout the pandemic. She joined our team earlier this year, and has been settling into the community.
She said: “Emmaus Greenwich is very unique, unlike anywhere I have worked before and every day is different. I love the sense of community and how everyone works together as a team.”
Gen is now working to create a new programme for Street Souls, assessing the needs of people who experience homelessness in South London and access the service.
Gen said: “What excites me about Street Souls is the opportunity to support people going through difficult times, whether it is just offering a regular meal or if it’s the start of bigger changes for someone. Within the first year we are planning to find out what our visitors needs are beyond food and compassion and seek ways to provide longer term support. Outreach projects such as Street Souls can be a turning point for people who do not know where to start, for some people Street Souls could be life changing.”
Street Souls will be relaunching at the end of July, back at its former home of St Stephen’s church in Westminster. We are currently seeking volunteers to join the Street Souls team – if you are able to commit time twice a month to support this great project, please find out more and apply now.