We have revamped our community site following an £8K grant from construction organisation CRASH, which supports UK charities with their building and restoration projects.
Our community, based in St. Leonards-on-Sea, is home to 23 formerly homeless people (known as companions) who are each given their own room, alongside meaningful work and training in our Secondhand Superstore.
The generous £8K donation from CRASH has helped transform spaces around the community, such as the accommodation, kitchen and shop, with brand new double glazed windows, LED lighting, heating, paintwork, tiling and carpeting.
Zach Hurst, our Community Manager, said: “CRASH has been helping us as a charity since we opened in 2011 and this latest project has made such a difference to the people in our community – it looks brilliant. We are always so grateful for everything CRASH does for us.”
Before joining us in 2019, companion Jim* was homeless for three years. He recalls what it was like sleeping on the beach in Eastbourne and how life has changed for him this year: “When I was homeless, I had to keep an eye or an ear open every time I went to sleep. Now I’ve got my own room, my own shower, it’s great. Sometimes, when I’m in my room, I get my old sleeping bag out and sleep in there for the night. It makes me think how lucky I am to have all this now.”
Francesca Roberts, Chief Executive of CRASH, added: “We are delighted to offer our support to Emmaus Hastings & Rother once again. Emmaus is an inspiring charity partner. The staff and companions there make every grant go a long way. We wish them the very best for the future.”
*This companion wished to remain anonymous so a pseudonym has been used to protect their privacy.