Before I came to Emmaus, I had spent 8 months living at The Salvation Army, which is the maximum amount of time anyone is allowed to stay. It was here they told me about Emmaus.
I moved to Emmaus South Wales on a solidarity basis in 2019 meaning I had no recourse to public funds, no money and nowhere to live. Emmaus gave me hope. I have happy memories of my time living in the community. The staff were so supportive. I loved my room and enjoyed cooking Nigerian food for my fellow companions.
I cannot thank Emmaus staff enough for supporting with my immigration application. They found me a lawyer, they took me to meet with immigration in Croydon, and they even attended court with me in Newport, where I was granted permanent residency. I don’t know what I would have done without them.
I lived at Emmaus South Wales for 4 years when I felt it was time to move on. Bridgend had become home, and I really wanted to stay living locally. Emmaus staff supported me to get a flat of my own, where I now live. My flat has a lovely view of the river, which I absolutely love, and I couldn’t be happier, and that is all down to the support I received from Emmaus.