We’re joining a nationwide call for kindness to support those in need, as part of an international campaign on Thursday (1 Feb).
The #BeMoreKind campaign forms part of Emmaus International’s Uprising of Kindness day marking 70 years since charity founder, Abbé Pierre, delivered a powerful speech on Luxembourg Radio.
He called for solidarity in response to the homelessness situation in France, where people were dying from the cold on the streets of Paris, including a woman who had been clutching an eviction notice. The 1954 Uprising of Kindness appeal triggered unprecedented levels of public generosity and led to the growth of the Emmaus movement.
The UK campaign’s Day of Action on the 70th anniversary of Abbé Pierre’s historic broadcast is being marked by a UK-wide Big Sleep Out led by Emmaus companions (the formerly homeless people the charity supports), to raise awareness of homelessness, along with acts of solidarity within groups and communities.
Working towards establishing our own community, Emmaus North Staffs will be hosting a Solidarity Sale at our two Hanley charity shops – the Emmaus shop in The Potteries Centre and the Furniture and Home Charity Warehouse in Josiah Wedgwood Street. All profits from Thursday’s sale will be donated to Emmaus International to help their global efforts to address homelessness, poverty and disadvantage.
Our Executive Lead, John Webbe said: “The Uprising of Kindness was a pivotal moment in the international Emmaus movement, demonstrating the impact of kindness through acts of public generosity towards people in need.
“Sadly Emmaus founder Abbé Pierre’s messages are still as relevant today as they were back in 1954, with homelessness still a major issue for our society. A need for kindness is more important than ever. We’re appealing for residents to show an Uprising of Kindness by supporting our shops on Thursday and shopping ethically for a kinder world. Every purchase will help us raise funds to support people across the globe facing homelessness, extreme poverty and a struggle to thrive.”
The #BeMoreKind campaign suggests ways to support a global Uprising of Kindness, including being more kind to people in need, the environment and communities.
There are 30 Emmaus UK communities and more than 400 Emmaus groups worldwide providing a home, work opportunities, companionship and individual support for formerly homeless people.
The Emmaus movement continues to make a huge impact in the UK; 70 years on from the historic Uprising of Kindness speech. Emmaus communities helped over 6,500 people last year with accommodation, support services, outreach work and community activities.
Emmaus North Staffs works with local councils and housing associations to give free items to more than 800 households. The charity also launched its Beds for Kids campaign in 2022, providing children’s ‘Bed Packs’ to vulnerable families.
To find out more about the Emmaus Uprising of Kindness and how to get involved in #BeMoreKind activities, visit www.emmaus.org.uk/bemorekind
