Emmaus Cornwall is an independent charity, whose objective is to alleviate and relieve poverty, hardship and distress by providing accommodation and meaningful work for homeless people in Cornwall.
It is a part of a federation of two dozen Emmaus ‘communities’ throughout the UK providing work for recently homeless men and women. There are now more than 600 Emmaus ‘companions’ living at communities stretching from Glasgow to Dover. Each community has at least one shop or social enterprise, with many running successful cafés, shops, gardening projects and removal operations.
Emmaus Cornwall is developing business plans for a community of two dozen homeless people.. The work can provide a range of opportunities to acquire skills
Each companion will have been without a home, living on the streets and sleeping rough and, on entering the community, agrees to stay 'dry', not to indulge in drugs, to work to the best of their ability and to sign off benefits. The community will provide a home in a supportive family environment that will enable people to move on from homelessness. Each person will have their own room, but meals will be eaten together, housework will be shared and social events organized.
Emmaus is committed to working both with other Communities and in partnership with other agencies as part of a joined up approach to meeting the needs of homeless people.
Before setting up a community, it is prudent to ensure that the business model is viable. When the community is set up, the social enterprise has to be implemented with a high degree of success, showing a surplus on a regular monthly basis.
The Community will offer accommodation and opportunities for training in the social enterprise. Working in the business will allow the development of work related skills, self esteem and confidence. We will provide support back into independent living and the skills to maintain employment.
