Christmas this year will look different for most people. Many people will be struggling to pay their rent, mortgage and other household bills or may even have already lost their home due to the effects of the ongoing pandemic. Keith knows the feeling. He experienced homelessness first hand for ten years, sofa surfing, staying in hostels or sleeping rough.
“When you’re already feeling depressed, homelessness makes things even worse. It’s emotionally draining, especially at Christmas time when everyone else is inside, in the warm with their families. I used to look through windows into people’s front rooms and they had a nice warm fire, Christmas decorations up and nice food. I felt very alone. I would have loved to be with mine, but I used to feel ashamed that I wasn’t leading a conventional life, the one they’d want for me.”
“Emmaus has changed everything. It’s given my life structure and meaning, and I feel passionate about doing all I can for those who are still homeless – or soon will be because of the pandemic.”
“It’s good to be in touch with my parents again but they live abroad so I won’t get to see them at Christmas. In fact, because of the pandemic, I don’t think any companions are likely to be leaving their communities to see family this year. However, there are 40 of us here at Emmaus Cambridge, including quite a few people who’ve recently joined the community, and we’ll all be enjoying the festivities together.”
It’s been a challenging year for everyone, but 2021 will be even harder for people who are losing their jobs and their homes right now. No one should feel alone and forgotten, especially at Christmas. Help us provide more people experiencing homelessness with the long-term support they need to build new and positive futures.
Thank you and Merry Christmas from all at Emmaus.
Your donation will help us to provide a home and meaningful work to people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion.
Help us to bring more homeless people into our communities
Your donation will help us to provide a home and meaningful work to people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion.
Help us to bring more homeless people into our communities