Our van is the lifeblood of our Hinckley-based homelessness charity, but after more than 10 years it’s spending more time in the garage than on the road. Every donation helps us keep changing lives in Hinckley and beyond.
We were really pleased to return to Loughborough University last month. Our Director, Dawn, and one of the people we support were invited to speak to first-year students for the second year running.
The session is part of a module led by Dr Laura Valadez-Martinez, Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy. Students look at a range of issues throughout the year, and this session focused on homelessness and the different ways people can be supported.
The aim of the visit was to give students a practical, real-life perspective to sit alongside what they learn in lectures. Our companion talked honestly about his journey, including life before joining Emmaus and how having a stable home, support and meaningful work opportunities has helped him rebuild his life. Dawn then talked about how our charity works and the type of support we offer.
Homelessness is an important topic for Criminology and Sociology students, and the group had plenty of thoughtful questions about people’s experiences and the challenges they face.
We’re grateful to Dr Valadez-Martinez for inviting us back again this year. It’s always great to have the chance to speak to students and help build a better understanding of homelessness and how local organisations like ours can help.
