At Emmaus we’re working together to end homelessness.
In July 2011 Emmaus Hastings & Rother (EHR) became the UK's 21st Emmaus community, providing a home and meaningful work for up to 23 formerly homeless people.
What makes Emmaus different from other homelessness charities is the offer of not just a bed for the night but a home for as long as it’s needed, in a supportive community environment. Alongside this comes meaningful work in a social enterprise, generating income that sustains the community. This opportunity to become part of a community and contribute to it has a proven role in restoring self-esteem and helping people overcome homelessness and exclusion for the long term. Almost 80% of companions say that working and having something to do every day is the most beneficial part of their experience of Emmaus.
EHR accepts both men and women over the age of 18. Each gets a room of their own, food, clothing and a small weekly allowance. In return they sign off all benefits except housing benefit and work to the best of their ability in our social enterprise. This is based on the resale of donated furniture, clothing and other household goods and includes furniture restoration, up-cycling and electrical testing workshops. We also run house clearance and collection & delivery services and a small café. The business gives companions a range of opportunities to refresh old skills and gain new ones.
Our most significant outcome - the individual development of companions - is tracked through needs assessments, personal support plans and 1:1 support sessions. Positive outcomes include increased confidence & self-esteem, improved social, work-related & communication skills, increased interaction with health services, decreased drug and/or alcohol dependencies, and eventually the ability to move on to independent living & employment.
Approaching our eighth anniversary, well over a hundred companions have lived in the community with two-thirds of those who left over those years accounted positive move-ons, leaving in a significantly better position than when they arrived. To find out more about us, click here.
