We are celebrating the purchase of a new property that will provide move-on accommodation to two of their current residents, who have experienced homelessness.
Our new two-bedroom house, located in East End Park, has become home to new housemates Dave and Matt. Both housemates have been supported by Emmaus Leeds at its community building on St Mary’s Street and are now settling into a more independent way of life.
New Beginnings
Dave, who has now moved into the new home, said: “The new house is very clean, comfortable and a pleasure to live in. It is quiet, warm, as close to perfect as possible. It is a great step forward for me on my journey through Emmaus. Being able to do my own shopping and cooking again is doing wonders for me. I am so glad I took the step to move back towards independent living, and glad that Emmaus Leeds could offer me this opportunity”.
Explaining how the new property will help the charity, Gina Morrison, our Retail and Business Manager, said: “It is a joy to visit the residents in their new home and to see how comfortable and settled they are. Moving from living within a community to setting back into mainstream accommodation can be a challenge. The house is a good way of helping companions spend some time getting used to independent living again, whilst still receiving support from Emmaus Leeds, before they move on. It also enables us to accommodate two more people at our main community building”.
Funding the New House Purchase
Funding to purchase and renovate the property was raised from the Emmaus Leeds social enterprises and match funded from the Emmaus UK 25th Anniversary Fund, which was set up to fund the creation of new rooms in Emmaus communities across the UK.
About Emmaus Leeds
We support 26 formerly homeless people by offering a stable home for as long as needed, personal support, training and the opportunity to work in a social enterprise to gain new skills. To fund its work, Emmaus Leeds sells a wide range of donated and refurbished furniture, household items, electrical appliances, clothes, bric-a-brac and bikes from its Secondhand Superstore on St Mary’s Street and charity stall at Kirkgate Market.
To find out more about the work we do head to www.emmaus.org.uk/leeds. For more information, to donate an item or get involved as a volunteer call 0113 248 4288 or visit us at St Mary’s Street, Leeds, LS9 7DP.