Lynda has been linked with the Community of All Hallows since 2003 when she began working for the nuns who used to reside here. Lynda still lives on-site at the gatehouse, looking after the chapel, and has recently begun volunteering with Emmaus.
I came to the Community of All Hallows to work in about 2003. I had been working in care for many years and I phoned up the sisters and asked if there was a job going.
I spoke to Sister Shelia, and she gave me a washing-up job. It was great! I’m what’s called an Oblate to the Community of All Hallows, which is someone who has a life in tune with the Sisters so I pray at certain times every day. The job was fantastic, and I felt a lot closer to my religious life.
I have been living on-site here at the gatehouse since 2009 with my husband. I look after the chapel and do morning and evening prayers there.
I’ve remained on site after the sisters left and I still tend to the chapel every day. I’ve got very used to seeing all the Emmaus companions when I walk my dogs and I say hello to everyone. A few companions and volunteers join me for prayers in the chapel most evenings, which is lovely.
Volunteering just seemed the next step. I’m a great believer that if I’m guided to do something, I’ll do it. Just before Christmas, I spoke to Debbie who coordinates the volunteers, and I started volunteering.
I volunteer on Saturdays either in the Old Orchard Café or in the community kitchen. Most of the time I’ve been in the kitchen with Eamon, preparing meals for companions and staff, which has just been brilliant. It’s been very strange because I’m back where I started when I first got the washing-up job here in the kitchens.
I’m really enjoying volunteering; I’ve been making plum crumbles and things for dinner times. I have never cooked for this many people so that’s been a challenge! I’ve been making trifles for about 40 people!
I really value sitting down with everyone at mealtimes and getting to know all of the companions. Sharing food is very social.
When the sisters first moved out, I did really miss the community and of course, the structure of the whole day disappeared. Most of the Oblates felt the same; we weren’t quite sure what to do. I feel very blessed I am now part of this community: the Emmaus community.
When I first heard of Emmaus moving here, the sisters had already moved out and the convent had been lying empty for about 4 years. Emmaus came in and moved down to Emmaus House where they also started selling furniture. There were only about four or six companions to start with. It’s amazing how they’ve grown and can support so many people now.
It was part of the Community of All Hallow’s ethos to help people; they started in the convent by helping girls who were on the streets in Norwich to get them into some sort of service or employment. The work of Emmaus feels very similar to how this building was first used.
I enjoy what I do and hopefully, that shows, and then other people enjoy their work too. You get so much out of volunteering too; I’ve got a lot of structure back to my life. The companions are brilliant too and I honestly think people are missing out if they don’t volunteer!
If you’d like to get involved with us and start volunteering, get in touch with us here