Erin, who is originally from Leeds found herself homeless after losing her job and falling behind on the rent. Her story is one of resilience and determination and she’s now in a paid position training to be a support worker at Emmaus North East.
“I became homeless after losing my job and getting in arrears with rent payments. I sofa-surfed for a while and then went to live with my brother. It didn’t work out as we began to argue so I found myself needing a place to stay again.
A friend of mine lived in Hull and offered me a place to stay. After a while, I noticed money going missing from my bank account and I found out she had been taking out loans in my name. This was a big blow to me, and I had to move out.
I went to live in a hostel, but I found it to be an intimidating place. A lot of the residents were abusing substances and it didn’t feel like the right place for me. I got in touch with Citizens Advice who told me about Emmaus Hull, and after meeting the team I decided to take a place in the community on a trial basis, just to make sure it was right for me.
Straight away I really enjoyed it, and I was there for just under two years. Living at Emmaus doesn’t feel like a hostel, it feels like a community, and everyone is so lovely and welcoming and that’s always a bonus. It’s easy to fit in and get on with it.
Whilst I was at Emmaus Hull, I had a go at practically everything, the kitchen, the shop work, and the logistics side which I really enjoyed.
At the time I was in a relationship with another companion, and he decided to move down to Emmaus Dover to be nearer to his daughter. I took the plunge and decided to move with him.
I got so much support from the staff at Dover and it’s there I was told about an upcoming support worker position in Emmaus North East. I thought it sounded like an amazing opportunity and it couldn’t have come at a better time; I was finally feeling ready for a new challenge.
I went through the interview process, and I ended up doing really well and getting the job! Throughout this period, I got so much support and encouragement from Dover, it was amazing.
I’m still a bit in shock that I got the job as I never envisioned becoming a support worker, but I am really enjoying it.
I’m currently going through my training and have done the basics so far, but I’ll be starting my social care level two training at the end of this month, and I can’t wait.
I recently became ‘on-call’ which means I respond to any emergencies or issues when needed; I live on-site so it works out well and I’m learning loads.
My favourite part of the job is processing new referrals and welcoming them to the community, it’s a real highlight for me. I work with an amazing bunch of people at Emmaus North East, and they have given me so much support, I can’t thank them enough.
To anyone who’s thinking about joining an Emmaus community, or has just joined, I’d say take the support you are offered because there’s so much help that anyone can progress and move on in life.
When I came into Emmaus, I decided to make changes in my life and focus on the future and now I’d like to continue to progress further within Emmaus, the only way is up for me!”