A companion at Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney is celebrating after graduating university and getting accepted onto a master’s degree course.

Dave moved to Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney in 2019 and recently graduated with a finance degree from Canterbury Christ Church University. He will be going on to study online for a master’s degree in Data Analytics and Finance from August 2020 at Arden University.

Dave was first introduced to Emmaus in 2015 when he moved to the Colchester community following what he describes as some “bad decisions in life”. His daughter suggested he apply to university and he was accepted shortly after moving in.  The downside was that three weeks later, while still at Emmaus Colchester, Dave had heart failure. He was in hospital for nine days, but still attended university that September.

“I practically lived in the library and really enjoyed the course – doing statistics, portfolio management, regression analysis and much more. There were times it was a struggle to walk to the library without getting out of breath, but I continued my study and officially finished the course in June 2019.”

The summer after Dave moved to Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, his health took a turn for the worse. Dave ended up in hospital again, unable to attend his summer graduation. He was put on a new regiment of drugs, which helped.

While people live at Emmaus, they are required to work as much as they are able to in our social enterprise. Dave works in the logistics office serving customers and booking deliveries and collections. As well as having somewhere to live for as long as needed and the opportunity to gain work experience, people at Emmaus are supported in all areas of their lives. Our Community Support Manager, Lyn, has ensured that Dave is able to get to all of his doctor appointments in Cambridge by driving him there herself.

“Staff at Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney have all done a great job looking after me when I needed it the most and they do all they can to be supportive.

 

When I leave Emmaus, I would like to come back for a few days every week to volunteer alongside studying so I can give back for everything Emmaus has given me, which is a lot – a roof over my head, enough food that you could gain 50 pounds in just one month, and invaluable support.”

In January 2020, Dave was able to attend his graduation ceremony, and said it “was a beautiful day”. When Cecile, our Chief Exec, heard that Dave was considering not going because the train was £80, she offered to drive him to Canterbury and celebrated the day with Dave. With a master’s to look forward to, Dave is now hoping to make the steps to move out on his own.

“Am I happy that I’m at Emmaus? Absolutely not. But that is nothing to do with Emmaus and my life could be a lot worse if I wasn’t here. I’m fiercely loyal to people who have done something for me, and I won’t forget the help I have received from everyone at Emmaus.”

To find out more about life at Emmuas Norfolk & Waveney, please visit here.