We are partnered with the Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) run by Norfolk County Council to provide vulnerable people, or those going through a period of crisis, with household items including furniture and white goods as well as “kitchen packs”.

Since lockdown began in March there has been an increased demand on the NAS services we offer and we were beginning to run low on kitchen equipment such as saucepans and utensils. Our team put out a call on social media for donations and the team at Morrisons in Beccles responded in style.

Last week the team from Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, including our companion Jos, visited the store to pick up a large donation of brand new pots, pans and utensils, all of which will be used to create kitchen packs for those in need of the support offered by NAS.

Cecile Roberts, CEO of Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney said:

 “We are all facing uncertain times and as a result we are seeing an increase in requests of support via the NAS scheme. It’s fantastic that our local Morrisons heard our call for help and donated so generously to the scheme. Thanks to them, more families and individuals living in Norfolk will be able to benefit from the NAS scheme, giving them a helping hand at an incredibly tough time.” 

Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney welcomes donations of high quality kitchen equipment including saucepans, frying pans, tin openers and utensils. The charity is also in need of donations of sofas, dining tables and chairs, beds, chest of draws and wardrobes. These can be donated via the charity’s site in Ditchingham and collections can be arranged for larger items.

The Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) run by Norfolk County Council, and Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney is partnered with the council along with three other NAS Reuse Partners to provide vulnerable people, or those going through a period of crisis, with household items. The purpose of NAS is to offer help to people who were previously supported by the Social Fund, which provided payments to meet exceptional or irregular needs in addition to Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income support, but is no longer administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.

As a partner of the NAS scheme, we deliver goods across the county of Norfolk to people who are unable to meet their immediate short-term needs or are setting up a home in an unfurnished or partially-furnished new property. Beneficiaries of the scheme include those with a disability or mental health problem, those with dependent children, victims fleeing domestic violence and those leaving institutions such as homeless hostels, all of which need to be receiving a means tested benefit to apply.

To find out more about the scheme visit https://emmaus.org.uk/norfolk-waveney/what-we-do/nas-scheme/