Emmaus Preston has been shortlisted for Community Team of the Year in UCLan’s annual Volunteering and Community Leadership Awards, following an entry from the charity’s social media volunteer Sophie.
Organised by UCLan’s Centre for Volunteering and Leadership, the awards highlight the efforts of people who have donated their time to make a difference in communities across Lancashire.
At Emmaus Preston, volunteers work alongside the people supported by the homelessness charity in wide range of volunteer roles, from Luton van driving – within the charity shop’s deliveries and collections team – to championing retail at its second-hand furniture and fashion stores.
Awards finalists
Sophie said: “In my application, I wanted to mention Emmaus Preston as a whole, and the benefits for the whole community of helping people out of homelessness. Money raised by people who support Emmaus Preston’s charity shops goes on a home, support and training to give people the confidence and life skills to move on.”
UCLan journalism student Sophie only recently started volunteering for Emmaus Preston, creating eye-catching footage of finds from the charity’s shops on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
On entering the award, she chose to document what the roles entail and some of the star volunteers, in particular John, who has been volunteering for the last ten years aged 83 and plans to keep going.
Awards ceremony
John and Sophie will be attending the awards ceremony alongside other members of Emmaus Preston on May 3 at UCLan’s Foster Building, when the winners of the Community Team of the Year award will be announced.
Sophie added: “Being shortlisted is amazing! I’m so proud that Emmaus Preston has got this far. It’s great to have been able to have done that and get Emmaus the recognition it deserves.”
If you would like to volunteer to support Emmaus Preston, take a look at the exciting range of roles available on our volunteer pages and fill out our online volunteer application form.