Our first community in the UK was opened in 1991 and we have grown quickly over the years. We now have 29 communities across the UK, providing residential accommodation to 816 people who have experienced homelessness or social exclusion, and a further five groups currently working to establish new communities.
During this time of crisis, the safety, health and wellbeing of our companions and staff across all our communities is crucial. Many of our team members are working from home, leaving a skeleton staff in each community to support companions. Good hand hygiene and social distancing are being practised, and contingency plans are in place should companions or staff need to self-isolate.
Our communities have closed all shops until further notice in order to protect customers, companions, volunteers and staff from the risk of contracting coronavirus.
Having to shut our social enterprises means our communities can’t access the vital income that they need to keep a roof over companions’ heads and put food on the table. Emmaus was built from the ground up, but many Emmaus communities will not have the financial resources to survive this crisis.
Our Emergency Fund has been set up to meet the costs of keeping the communities open and companions housed until we can re-open our shops – however long that may be.
Your donation will ensure that they still have food to eat, a secure place to live and access to the medical care they may need. Many people struggle with poor mental health and working in their community’s social enterprises has given them a sense of purpose and a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Now that our shops are closed, community staff are working to keep companions occupied and to provide the individual support and reassurance they will need to get through these unprecedented times.
Thank you for your support. This is a difficult and worrying time for everyone but with your help, we can get through this together.
You can make a difference at this most difficult of times.
Your donation will help us to keep our communities open and provide a safe home for our companions.
Thank you.
You can make a difference at this most difficult of times.
Your donation will help us to keep our communities open and provide a safe home for our companions.
Thank you.