Our ‘Rucksack Stomp’ solidarity initiative which provides vital support for vulnerable people on the streets of local towns has come under the spotlight.
Our corporate partner Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, recently interviewed companion Christian about the initiative, and the stomp team were recently joined in Bedford by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada.
The ‘Rucksack Stomp’ is the name given to a group of companions, staff and volunteers, headed by Christian, who volunteer in Bedford, Northampton and Wellingborough town centres every week, offering a lifeline to vulnerable people.
Christian shared his experience of life with Emmaus Village Carlton and the Rucksack Stomps for a film being produced by Cadent, whose charitable foundation has donated funds to install new energy efficient roof and cavity wall insulation throughout the community.
The film will be used by Cadent to highlight what we do here at Emmaus and how our community is transforming the lives of the formerly homeless people we support, as well as the lives of people our companions support in solidarity.
Their work was also praised by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, who joined Christian and his dedicated team at their Rucksack Stomp meeting point in Bedford Town Centre recently, helping them distribute essential food, drink and items to homeless and vulnerable people.
Susan joined Christian, Jeremy, our Chair of Trustees, Del and Julie, to learn more about the vital work they do in local towns supporting people with basic provisions to keep them going, whether they are homeless or feeling the cost-of-living squeeze.
Companion Christian Coley, who started the Rucksack Stomp in 2017, said: “We are grateful to both Cadent and HM the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire for taking time out to hear, or see at first hand, the work we do on our Rucksack Stomps.
“It’s vital that our partners and the wider community are made aware of the impact of homelessness and the cost-of-living crisis on local people and help us to raise awareness of these serious issues.
“Huge thanks to both Cadent and HM the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada for their interest and much-needed support. Sue helped to serve food and drinks to the service users and then spent some time talking to them.
“It was lovey to have Susan in attendance and we are very grateful for her interest in the stomp.”
Christian highlighted Emmaus’s vital outreach work on Heart Four Counties, Smooth Radio East Midlands and BBC Three Counties Tadio earlier in the year and can be seen on a new YouTube video talking about his own experience of homelessness and his outreach work here,
The dedicated volunteer has now clocked up well over 2,000 hours helping homeless people with food, drink and vital clothing and protection from the elements through the stomps, along with his band of volunteers.
Pic cap: Joining together in solidarity – pictured from left to right are Christian, Julie, Jeremy, Susan and Del at the Bedford Rucksack Stomp.