I will have been part of Emmaus Preston for 30 years in 2026. I said I would not leave when there’s work to be done, so here I am still!
I lived in Weybridge for three years whilst my husband was working in the Shell office. With then three children and a husband away at sea, I needed to have something to expand my experiences. So I became a member of various charities, the Royal Voluntary Service (formerly WRVS) being the main one, and I became the emergency organiser for the Preston area. This role meant helping people in crisis. I helped set up a rest centre for everyone being evacuated from two blocks of high-rise flats that were deemed dangerous, for example, while they were found emergency accommodation. This made me aware of the impact of losing a home and possessions, and linked to this I ran a clothing store where people in need were given free clothing.
My early involvement
I have also been a magistrate for twenty-eight years and saw many cases of offenders having no support on leaving prison. So it was no surprise that after hearing Terry Waite (President of Emmaus UK) speak in Preston that I wanted to be part of such a brilliant charity, Emmaus, so I joined the then very small steering committee.
That was in 1996 when Emmaus Preston was just a dream. And at times it seemed a hopeless dream. It was difficult to raise funds at the time when there was nothing to show, just an aspiration. But after many years and with help from the Lancashire County Council, we purchased ‘The Birches’, what was to become our community base.
I remember doing a fun run to drum up support and calling on the councillors when I was a Preston city councillor. It has taken a long time for Emmaus Preston to settle in the town, with lots of up and downs – definitely a big learning curve for all involved!
The Emmaus Preston community officially opened in 2008 and has become a home for 26 companions. I remember all the shops we have had over the years, including one that had a café. Now the community has grown to include several social enterprises where companions work alongside volunteers and staff to generate income to support the community and provide services that benefit the wider community.
Supporting the community
I became acutely aware of the living conditions and problems that people face day to day during my role as a councillor representing the Larches ward for Preston City Council for six years from 1998 to 2004.
It was at this time, I was given a week’s notice that’s two plane loads of refugees would be arriving from war torn Kosovo. We set up a centre in a disused hospital and I arranged clothing, toiletries, toys and bikes. They lived there for two months, during which time other homes were found. A number of them had been living in a forest for six weeks and one lady had given birth there. They came in the clothes they stood up in and nothing else.
MBE from Prince William
In 2016, I received an MBE for services to Preston, presented to me by Prince William. We had a brief chat about homelessness and the fact he was visiting Centrepoint that afternoon. It was as you might imagine, a very memorable day.
Outside the gates of the palace, I was asked by a number of people what I was there for, and two groups of Japanese visitors wanted to have their photo taken with me. Stardom for a day.
It was a huge privilege for me to be given the honour, especially as so many give time and effort to volunteering.
Meeting the Royal Patron of Emmaus UK
I remember the Royal Patron of Emmaus UK, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, coming to visit. She was amazing. We had set out a top table, with matching chairs and crockery in one of the charity shops. Lord Shuttleworth came with Her Royal Highness and other dignitaries.
I was with one of the companions, working in bric-a-brac and this person asked me to speak to The Duchess if she approached us. In the end, she spoke to every single companion there. When Her Royal Highness had finished speaking with him, he was beaming from ear-to-ear, and she bought a teapot from him.
In the end, it was she who ended up sitting on the rickety spare chairs and the companions on the sturdier ones we had set out. The whole visit was very nice.
A rewarding opportunity
Being a trustee is a very rewarding role at Emmaus Preston. The needs of the charity are forever changing, and the challenge of keeping it going especially so. But to see people who have their confidence restored and able to move forward make it all worthwhile.
As well as being part of the board of trustees I also get stuck in and volunteer alongside companions in the shops. I don’t have a set day, it’s whenever I have time to spare. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to chat to companions. It is so satisfying to be part of the charity. I love seeing the change in companions as they settle in, working and having that belief and confidence building. I also like the fact that even though there are times when they fail they still have the umbrella of support.
The biggest reward of all is seeing companions moving on if they choose and usually with qualifications under their belt. We as trustees and volunteers are there to support, but the companion is the driver. I feel extremely privileged to be part of Emmaus.
Have you been inspired by Kath’s story and would like to volunteer? To discover our range of exciting volunteer roles and for more information about how to apply, visit Emmaus Preston’s volunteer page here.