At Emmaus Leeds, we are always inspired by the incredible journeys of our companions. We recently celebrated a major milestone achieved by Adel, one of our companions, who has recently earned his forklift driving certification.
This achievement was made possible through the Companion Training and Wellbeing Fund, a national initiative by Emmaus UK that provides financial support to help companions develop their skills and personal growth.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, Adel shared his joy:
“It feels amazing to have completed this. I really enjoyed the course, and it turned out to be easier than I expected.”
But Adel’s journey doesn’t stop there. In addition to his forklift training, he also completed his Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) for motorbike riding, using the same fund. For Adel, originally from Iran, riding a motorbike brought back cherished memories of home.
“It’s been incredibly positive. I’ve been here for over a year, and it’s really given me the chance to turn my life around,” Adel said of his time with Emmaus Leeds.
As Adel looks to the future, he is preparing for an exciting new chapter: moving into one of Emmaus Leeds’ ‘move-on’ flats. This transition will give him the opportunity to live more independently while continuing to build on the skills and confidence he has gained.
At Emmaus Leeds, we are proud to support companions like Adel as they work towards a brighter future. His story is proof of the power of community, opportunity, and determination.
If you’d like to read more stories about our fantastic companions, visit the stories page here.