We’re celebrating our unique community model during Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May), as this year’s theme is ‘community’.
The Mental Health Foundation’s focus is close to the heart of Emmaus Hertfordshire as our community in St Albans is ending homelessness for around 50 people every year and providing them with brighter new beginnings and futures.
Testament to the success of Emmaus’s community model is companion Chris who has been supported by us for over four years, after becoming homeless during the pandemic in 2020.
Chris said: “I became homeless due to work drying up and losing my home just after the pandemic struck. I was in shock and was hungry. Sleeping on the streets I didn’t feel safe. I got robbed twice.
“Emmaus Hertfordshire have been brilliant – they gave me a bed to sleep in, a room of my own, food, companionship and work experience in their four shops, which are lovely places to work.
“The support at Emmaus Hertfordshire is great. The support team and the shop managers all help us out. It’s been a good four years. I can stay at Emmaus for as long as I need but when I am ready, I know the team will help me move on to a new flat and a job.”
Based in Crosby Close, St Albans, we provide a home for up to 39 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion, known to us as companions.
We offer more than just a bed for a few nights. The people we help receive a home, tailored support, and the opportunity to gain skills and work opportunities through our social enterprise of four shops and a house clearance service. This package of support helps people regain stability, rebuild their confidence, and work towards independence.
Focus on improving mental health
Since 2001, the Mental Health Foundation has been leading Mental Health Awareness Week – bringing the UK together to focus on improving mental health and wellbeing.
The foundation wants to use Mental Health Awareness Week to celebrate the power and importance of community and demonstrate how being part of a safe, positive community is vital for people’s mental health and wellbeing.
It highlights how people thrive when they have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind them that they are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times and give residents a sense purpose.
“I feel really blessed to work here”
Maggie McCarthy, one of our support workers said: “Emmaus is an incredible organisation and I feel really blessed to work here. I’d never heard of a charity like this that gives people a long-term home and provides people with the support and guidance they need to get back on their feet.
“This could be anything from driving lessons to training courses, to work experience and helping people learn life skills, all of it is fantastic.”
She added: “Knowing that we provide support for mental health, to training, to learning new skills – that is what I love about this job. Being able to really support people to better themselves and find that self-worth and a purpose. Just getting back into society after homelessness and feeling good about themselves – that is what I really love about my role.”
If you would like to help support our vital work ending homelessness for vulnerable people like Chris, either through a donation, fundraising or volunteering, please visit: https://emmaus.org.uk/hertfordshire/support-us/, or click on the ‘Support our vital work’ button above.
Testament to the benefits of a positive community: Pictured below are companion Chris and support worker Maggie.
