Discover the different ways you can support our work providing homes, meaningful work and community for people overcoming homelessness
At Emmaus Sheffield, we believe everyone deserves a safe home and a supportive community. Our 18 Companions live and work with us as they rebuild their lives after homelessness, addressing the challenges that led them here whilst developing the skills and confidence needed for independent living.
Every aspect of our accommodation and facilities plays a vital role in this journey.
Below are our current priority appeals. Whether you choose to support life-saving equipment, essential facilities, or specialist assessments, your contribution directly improves the lives of vulnerable adults in Sheffield. Every donation, whatever the amount, helps us provide not just shelter, but genuine homes where people can heal, grow, and prepare for their futures.
New Showers
For many of our Companions, the simple act of having their own bathroom represents a fundamental restoration of dignity after years without privacy or proper facilities. Each of our 18 Companions has their own room with ensuite facilities, providing a safe, private space to begin addressing the problems that led to their homelessness. However, several of our shower facilities are now ageing and in need of replacement, affecting the quality of life for the vulnerable adults we support.
Replacing these facilities directly impacts our Companions’ physical and mental wellbeing during their recovery journey. We recently upgraded one ensuite with a walk-in shower after support sessions highlighted a Companion’s changing needs, making a huge difference to his day-to-day life. Modern, fully functioning facilities enable Companions to maintain personal hygiene with dignity, supporting their confidence as they work towards employment readiness and independent living.
Defibrillator
Every year in the UK, over 30,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospital settings, with survival rates heavily dependent on immediate access to a defibrillator. At Emmaus Sheffield, Companions often arrive with poor physical health stemming from years of rough sleeping and limited access to healthcare, placing them at heightened risk of cardiac emergencies.
Installing a publicly accessible defibrillator at our Sipelia Works building would provide life-saving protection for our Companions, staff, the thousands of customers who visit our superstore, and the wider canal basin community. With emergency services facing increased response times across Sheffield, immediate access to a defibrillator could mean the difference between life and death, making this provision particularly critical, whilst reinforcing our commitment to the wellbeing and dignity of every person in our Community.
Neurodiversity Assessments
Research shows that 12.3% of people experiencing homelessness are autistic, compared to just 1-2% of the general population, yet most have never received a formal diagnosis. Many of our Companions have spent years struggling with challenges they couldn’t understand, facing repeated setbacks not through lack of trying, but because they’ve been navigating the world without the right support.
Access to neurodiversity assessments would enable us to provide truly personalised support packages. For those with autism, ADHD, or other neurodivergent conditions, this could mean structured routines that reduce anxiety, sensory-friendly workspaces, and tailored training that builds on strengths. Understanding their neurodiversity gives Companions the confidence to request appropriate support in employment and independent living, breaking cycles of homelessness rooted in unrecognised needs.
New Flooring
Unlike typical household usage, the carpets in the Companion rooms experience significantly accelerated wear due to the natural turnover of residents. What might last a decade in an average home can deteriorate within just a few years or months in our setting.
For adults who have experienced homelessness, having their own clean, well-maintained room is fundamental to restoring their sense of self-worth. Worn carpets undermine the message that they deserve dignity and respect, making it harder for Companions to feel truly at home whilst they undertake the difficult work of addressing their past trauma. Fresh carpets transform a room from institutional accommodation into a genuine home, supporting the mental wellbeing and confidence needed for successful recovery.