Emmaus UK Annual Review July 2014 - June 2015

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a hat-trick and opened a new shop in. Welling. A ribbon cutting ceremony, a speech from the Mayor of Bexley and communit
Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Building a better future Emmaus UK Annual Review July 2014 - June 2015

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Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Welcome to the 2015 Emmaus annual review, My name’s Steve and I used to be a companion, but now I’m a member of staff at Emmaus Village Carlton. This year’s review is about looking to the future. This is pretty relevant to me as Emmaus has given me the foundations to start paving a way forward for myself.

I left university at 22 and I was a retail manager for 15 or 16 years. In 2001, I owned my own home and my own car, I was doing really well. But then my mum became ill with MS and I struggled to cope. Within 18 months my mother, grandmother and my grandfather all passed away. The worst one though, in many ways, was when my best friend dropped down dead right next to me from a heart attack. I had to walk back to his missus and tell her. In less than two years I had lost nearly all of the people closest to me and, taking drugs to try to dull the pain, I found myself in a horrible spiral of addiction. It all unravelled very quickly for me. I went from a good job wearing a suit and going to meetings, to being in horrible places alone, doing drugs. I became a petty thief and started shoplifting. I lied and misled people to get money. On the outside people thought ‘Steve’s alright’, but I wasn’t. Once you become an addict you hide away, you’re ashamed. Deep down, you know what you’re doing is wrong but you don’t know how to stop.

Letter from Terry Waite On 10 September 2013 I came to Emmaus, met Helen, and started here as a companion. I’m now a full time member of staff at Emmaus Village Carlton. I am the retail manager living on site still at the community. Long term though, I want to become a key worker for Emmaus and hope to study a course in adult social care. Believe it or not, I wouldn’t change any of it. I refuse to believe all of that bad stuff was for no reason and it was a journey I had to go on to find Emmaus. By becoming a key worker I will give people the benefits of learning from my experiences and all the rough times I’ve had. It’s all got to be worth it for that. I’m not the only one Emmaus has helped and I hope you enjoy reading more about the work Emmaus has done to support people, like me, who have fallen on bad times and just want a chance to carve out a future for themselves. Best wishes

It is always a pleasure to look back at what Emmaus has achieved, and this year is no exception. The way Emmaus helps people who have experienced extreme hardship to rebuild their lives is inspiring. I know only too well how difficult it is to rebuild your life and relationships after a traumatic experience. After five years living in solitary confinement, it took some time for me to feel part of my community again. This is not all that different from someone who has experienced homelessness. Living on the streets with nowhere to turn and noone to support you, can leave you feeling very alone. That’s why Emmaus makes such a difference, offering stability, support and a community to which you belong. I became involved with Emmaus very soon after my release from captivity and the companionship I found from being involved in the organisation was an important part of me rebuilding my life in the UK again.

Working with Emmaus also makes you realise how generous people can be, supporting the charity in a range of different ways. 2016 is the 25th year of Emmaus being in the UK and it is good to see it going from strength to strength. There are still so many people in need of the services Emmaus can offer and I know what a great difference it can make to people’s lives. As we work to grow, develop and improve in everything we do, I know we are helping to build a brighter future. With best wishes

Terry Waite CBE President, Emmaus UK

“As we work to grow, develop and improve in everything we do, I know we are helping to build a brighter future.”

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Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

This year’s highlights

Our communities rely on local support to keep them going but they also like to do their bit to help local people through acts of solidarity.

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Lin’s story

Here is a selection of highlights from 2014/2015.

At 18, I was a single mum and I had a terrible self-image because of weight problems. Solidarity at EVC Emmaus Village Carlton has formed a solidarity group specifically focussed on helping those less fortunate. The group, comprised of staff, volunteers and companions has supported lots of local organisations including Little Heroes, a charity supporting terminally ill children, Rushton Rehab Centre, a local drug support unit and Prebend Day Centre, which supports homeless people in Bedford, just to name a few.

Mossley locals doff their hats to Emmaus More than 200 supporters of Emmaus Mossley united for a special charity event this summer to celebrate all things Emmaus. The evening included a sale, auction and raffle while customers bagged vintage furniture, clothes, collectables, musical instruments, tools, home furnishings and lots of hats.

Greenwich opens in Welling In June, Emmaus Greenwich made it a hat-trick and opened a new shop in Welling. A ribbon cutting ceremony, a speech from the Mayor of Bexley and community tours made the day one to remember for local supporters. The Mayor of Bexley had this to say about the opening: “Emmaus is more than just a charity. It gives people back their dignity while contributing to our local area in a vital way.”

Medway shop success

Emmaus Oxford spreads its wings

Norwich opens new café

In July, Emmaus Medway’s new second hand furniture store enjoyed an impressive first week of sales. By the end of day one, the shop had brought in more than £760, five times the income needed to break even.

Emmaus Oxford has plans to open a new shop in Barns Road. The build is progressing well and the team hopes to open the doors in 2016. The new shop will help Emmaus Oxford to provide meaningful work for companions, while also raising more funds to sustain its community. The shop will also provide a great second hand shopping experience for the local community.

Emmaus Norwich at Ditchingham has transformed its bric-a-brac room into a brand new coffee shop. The Orchard Cafe, named by a loyal customer, is performing well and keeping shoppers fuelled with fresh coffee, tea and cakes.

Say hello to Salford Emmaus UK’s president, Terry Waite, cut the ribbon to open the 25th Emmaus community in the UK, Emmaus Salford. Companions, staff, trustees and members of the public turned out in force to celebrate the official opening, enjoying a spot of afternoon tea and taking a tour of the new community.

“By enabling people who have experienced homelessness to help themselves, a great contribution is being made to one of the greatest social problems.” Terry Waite, President of Emmaus UK.

Money was tight so I worked during the week and also in a pub at weekends. It was there that I got access to amphetamines, which I’d heard could help you lose weight. But it was a slippery slope. Bit-by-bit I became addicted, first to drugs and then to alcohol.

My relationships with my son, mum and sister broke down due to my addictions but we’re in touch again now. They’ve seen a massive difference in me since I came to Emmaus. I’ve proved to them and to myself that I’m not the person I used to be.

When I ended up in a homeless hostel, I was in an absolute pit of despair. I went into rehab but when it was time for me to leave, I had nowhere to go and I feared my life would spiral out of control again. Luckily, that’s when I found Emmaus.

I have recently been offered a training opportunity as a bus driver. I was so happy when I found out! The job requires me to do six weeks of training and a bus driving test. If I don’t pass the test, I won’t get the job, but Emmaus Colchester has said they will support me through it. I have already been told that if I don’t pass the test I can come back to work and live in the community. I wouldn’t have been able to make this positive step without the support of Emmaus.

I’ve now got a safe place to live and working in my community’s social enterprise is teaching me so many things. I’ve brushed up on my computer skills, had interview practice and help with my CV.

Things are really looking up for me.

“ They’ve seen a massive difference in me since I came to Emmaus.” Lin, Emmaus Companion

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Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

This year’s highlights

Graham’s story

Emmaus offers people a home for as long as they need it, giving them the time, space and support to rebuild their lives and enjoy a positive future.

Graham is a former companion of Emmaus Lambeth, who has moved on from community life and has recently got married. Graham is now employed by Emmaus Lambeth as a project support worker.

Read on for news from our charity partner and to see how our companions have developed and been supported this year.

£55,000

Charles Russell Speechlys

RAISED

Law firm, Charles Russell Speechlys, raised a whopping £55,000 for the Companion Training Fund. Through a calendar of creative fundraising events the team has given more companions access to grants that will increase their skills, boost confidence and aid chances of future employment. From everyone at Emmaus, we can’t thank them enough.

Preparing for the future Last year, 46 grants were made to companions through the Companion Training Fund. From accountancy courses to photography classes - we’ve seen it all.

Companion research project When developing our new strategic plan, one priority that came out was for Emmaus to start campaigning for changes that would improve the lives of people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. Before we could do that, we wanted to

Helping companions to prepare for a future outside of community life is central to the Emmaus ethos.

find out what would make a difference to the lives of our companions. We commissioned Groundswell to carry out some research on our behalf, working with a group of eight companions, who they trained as peer researchers. The companion researchers carried out interviews and hosted focus groups with other companions from across the federation to find out what would really make a difference to them.

Fast track fundraisers Between October 2014 and February 2015 a team of civil servants, known as the Yellow Group, chose to support Emmaus. The team tackled the challenge with gusto; holding bake sales, selling Christmas cards and carolling at their local tube station. Some members of the group even took part in events for Emmaus, running 10k races and marathons, while others volunteered at Emmaus Lambeth, giving up their own time to support the charity.

For those who take the opportunity to learn a new skill, it greatly improves their confidence and helps them to build skills that put them in a stronger position to apply for new roles once they’re ready to move on from Emmaus.

This process has been a truly empowering experience for Emmaus companions and the research offers great insight into what causes and helps people to overcome homelessness.

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In total they raised more than £4,600 for Emmaus, which was put into the Companion Training Fund, to provide training and support for Emmaus companions across the UK.

If you would like to get your team at work involved with fundraising for Emmaus, please contact fundraising@ emmaus.org.uk

Q. How long were you a companion at Emmaus? A.

I was a companion at Emmaus for about two years. It all started when I was asked to leave a hostel I was staying at. I wasn’t really sure where to go, then I found Emmaus.

Q. Why did you decide to move on from community life?

helped me to move into my new home and I valued the help I was given to start on a new path in life.

Q. How are things for you now? A.

Things are great. Having my own home has made me feel a lot happier and allowed me to live a more stable life. Life is good now. I have recently got married and I work at Emmaus Lambeth as a project support worker - I love it.

A.

Q. What’s the biggest thing you’ve gained from Emmaus?

I moved in with my partner to help look after her terminally ill uncle. Emmaus

A sense of self-worth is the biggest thing I’ve gained. Being homeless completely strips you of that. Integration back into the world and mainstream society is another big one.

There came a point when the time was right to move on. I’d picked myself up at Emmaus and received the support I needed to start thinking about my future.

A.

Experiencing homelessness can make you feel overlooked and once you feel like that it’s hard to bounce back.

Q. What’s your favourite thing about Emmaus? A.

My favourite thing about Emmaus is the support and help companions can receive. It offers the chance for people to start a new life. You get out what you put in and I’m an example of that.

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Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Making a contribution

#EmmausUpcycle This year, Emmaus has received a selection of excellent upcycling photos via social media. Our inventive Twitter followers and Facebook fans have transformed numerous pieces of Emmaus furniture to add a truly personal touch to their home. If you’re not a creative type, our communities do the hard work for you, by restoring furniture back to its former glory.

The opportunity to work, to become part of a community and make a contribution to it plays a massive role in restoring lost self-esteem and helping companions to find a way to overcome homelessness.

A day in the life...

James, a companion at Emmaus Leeds, is a skilled and passionate upcycler, who helps run the community workshop. Here’s a glimpse into his life at Emmaus.

Here are some photos of our followers’ handiwork.

When upcycling furniture I start by taking off all the fixtures and doors before gluing down any peeling veneer. Once that’s done I fill in cracks or scratches, wait until the glue has set, and remove the clamps that are holding the item in place.

Understanding that their actions can make a difference to their own life and the lives of others helps to restore companions’ feelings of confidence and self worth.

Here’s an example of the scope of the companion role, and the many talents the Emmaus companion workforce has.

Sales assistant

Workshop assistant

Van driver

I come down and sign for the keys around 8:30am. Before opening the workshop I speak to a member of staff about any maintenance issues that need to be prioritised that day.

Admin support

Coffee shop assistant

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Jobs like this often fall under my remit due to my previous experience in maintenance and woodwork. I then go down to the workshop and repair any purchased items. After that, I turn my attention to donations and look to repair any noticeable damage.

The item is then sanded and two coats of acrylic primer are applied before repeating the sanding process and adding two coats of chalk or egg shell paint. It’s all finished off with a final wax and the fixtures are cleaned and replaced. For a shabby-chic effect I distress the furniture with sand paper and a chisel. I enjoy Emmaus because the work gives me structure – I get up and have something to do. Before and during my homelessness, if someone had just given me a job I wouldn’t be at Emmaus right now. I applied for everything. I have the skills and I’m willing to work but it just didn’t come my way.

This is my fresh start.

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Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

What’s next for Emmaus?

We want Emmaus to achieve even more in the next five years, supporting even more people and having even more of a positive impact on their lives.

Our plan 2015 – 2020 This year Emmaus developed a new strategic plan, setting challenging targets that all Emmaus communities and groups will work to achieve over the next five years. As ever, companion support and social enterprise sit at the centre of the strategy, offering a home and meaningful work which has such a positive impact on people’s lives. What is new is a clear goal to start campaigning for changes that will make a real difference to the lives of people who experience homelessness and social exclusion. We’re also looking to strengthen Emmaus’s social enterprises, raise its profile to become better known and provide more support to existing and future companions.

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Three new communities for 2016

When I took over as chair of Emmaus UK, I knew we had real potential to make a difference.

Emmaus is working with companions to realise their aspirations and potential.

The Emmaus federation is demonstrating unity and is working together for mutual benefit. Emmaus is well known and respected and is using its voice to address the causes and consequences of homelessness and social exclusion. Emmaus in the UK is an active contributor and influencer in the international Emmaus movement. Emmaus is increasing the number of companion rooms and is providing nonresidential opportunities.

Letter from the Chair

Michael Heap

Emmaus is operating a range of social enterprises in order to provide financial sustainability.

Federation members are demonstrating organisational sustainability and ethical practice.

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Next year will be a big one for Emmaus as three new communities are set to open their doors. Emmaus figures show that 77 per cent of companions have slept rough and 33 per cent say the most common reason for becoming homeless was a breakdown in their relationship. These new communities will give more people the opportunity to find a way out of homelessness and help Emmaus meet its goal of providing 1,000 companion rooms by 2020. Groups of trustees and volunteers in Merseyside, Hull and South Wales have been working hard to get their new communities off the ground and into the local area, ready for opening before the end of this year.

To find your local Emmaus please visit: www.emmaus.org.uk/ your_local_emmaus

The evidence of what had already been achieved, coupled with a real commitment and drive from everyone at Emmaus to do more was striking. This year we have spent time, as a federation, looking at how we realise our potential over the next five years. A team of companions, trustees and staff have worked together to identify what is needed from Emmaus in the UK and what we need to do to get there. As is the case with any process like this, there were robust discussions about what should be done. One of these in particular that caused me to reflect, was a comment from one of our companions that the most important thing for him was being able to help himself and others, not receiving what he saw to be handouts.

This is something we are proud of having achieved at Emmaus in the UK and in particular realising the importance of working with companions to build a future in which we can all be the absolute best we can be and realise our potential as individuals and as part of an international movement. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved so far and we now have a clear direction for the next five years. Achieving our goals may not be easy, but I’m confident in our ability to do so.

Michael Heap Chair, Emmaus UK

“Working with companions to build a future in which we can all be the absolute best we can be and realise our potential as individuals ”

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Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Emmaus needs you

Our Impact

Emmaus is always on the hunt for enthusiastic volunteers to help support our communities.

I’m studying at La Rochelle Business School in France in order to work in two years’ time in the sector of marketing and business. I have been studying management, marketing and communication for three years. My school wants their students to acquire good people skills in order to gain experience to be a good manager in the future.

Emmaus is a famous organisation in France and really important. L’Abbé Pierre, founder of Emmaus, is a famous personality, respected in France and which the French people remember as an important icon. The organisation is one of the more important in France and is helping homeless people and poor people every year, in a country where poverty is present and has become more important in the context of crisis. I have been working at Emmaus Leeds for two months and I have one month

In 2014-15, Emmaus communities reused

1,300 More than

left to do. I’m working every day of the week with the companions and the other volunteers. My work is varied and different from what I’m used to. I’m helping in the shop, in the sorting room (where we classify and price the donations) or in the kitchen where we cook for the community and the volunteers. I also do more physical work when I’m in the crew van (we deliver furniture bought in the shop and collect the donations), in the warehouse, in the garden or in the workshop where we refurbish furniture to give it a new life.

To gain experience and develop my people skills I decided to come and work for three months this summer at Emmaus Leeds. I wanted to volunteer full-time in the community and to have the opportunity to talk as much as possible in English.

Saving waste from going to landfill:

tonnes of goods.

Marie’s story.

This summer I volunteered at Emmaus Leeds. My name is Marie, I’m 21 years old and I come from France.

Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

of goods were recycled by 13 Emmaus communities in 2014-15

Companion rooms

Our social enterprises generated more than

Working alongside the companions is really interesting and makes me discover the hard work they do. Working for Emmaus is an opportunity to be open minded and to meet people who I wouldn’t meet outside of this amazing community. We are in contact with people that are helping the charity with their donations and the people who need the help of Emmaus. With the welcoming atmosphere and the kindness of the companions, the employees and the volunteers, I really feel part of a community where I’m useful and valued. After my experience at Emmaus I’m going back to France to finish my studies. After the end of my studies, in two years, I would like to manage teams in the business of sport. In management, the most important attribute is to have people skills to understand the people you are managing. These are skills that I have gained during my three months at Emmaus.

Emmaus communities donated more than £146,500 to solidarity causes over the year

people volunteer in Emmaus communities around the UK

Emmaus companions and staff volunteered more than

hours outside their communities

£8.7m

han t e r Mo of companions said the opportunity to work was the most beneficial thing about Emmaus

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Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

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Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

Our progress Once again this year, Emmaus is making great progress, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our companions, staff, volunteers and trustees, as well as the fantastic support from our donors and supporters.

Number of companion rooms, 2011-2015

700

Onwards and upwards

673 623

Trading breakdown, 2014/15

525

53% Furniture Furniture 53% Furniture 53% 53% Furnitureand 5% Electrical Electrical and 5%and Electrical 5% 5% Electrical and white goods white goods white goods white goods 5% Electrical and

white goods 8% Clothes, linen etc etc 8% Clothes, linen etc linen 8% Clothes,

6% Cafe Cafe 6% Cafe 6% 6% Cafe 1% Disposals Disposals and 1% and Disposals and and 1% 1% Disposals house clearance house clearance house clearance house clearance 1% Disposals and

2% Delivery Delivery house clearance 2% Delivery Delivery 2% 2%

2% Delivery 8% Clothes, linen etc 15% Bric-a-Brac, Bric-a-Brac, jewelry, toys toys 1% /Recycling Recycling // 15% Bric-a-Brac, Bric-a-Brac, jewelry, toys toys1% Recycling 1% 15% jewelry, 15% jewelry, Reuse Credits / Reuse Credits Reuse Credits 1% Recycling 15% Bric-a-Brac, jewelry, toys 2% Books, Books,2% records, 2% Books, records, 2% records, Books, records, 2% Scrap 2% Scrap Reuse Credits 2% Scrap 2% Scrap video, CDs,records, DVDs video, CDs,video, DVDs CDs, DVDs 2% Books, 2% Scrap 4% Misc Misc 1% Rent, Rent, room hire, video, CDs, DVDs 4% Misc 4% 1% Rent, room hire, 1% room hire, car parking etc. car parkingcar etc. parking etc. 4% Misc 1% Rent, room hire, Sources of income, 2014/15

car parking etc.

517

544

This year, a number of Emmaus companions have been given the opportunity to move into staff positions at their communities.

431 350

David from Emmaus Dover recently took on the role of deputy community leader, while Geoff in St Albans is learning the ropes as a community support assistant.

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2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

Trading income, 2011-2015

£9,000,000

£8.7m

£8,000,000

£7.8m

£7,000,000 £6,000,000

7% Grants and donations donations 7% Grants7% andGrants donations and

1% Other Other income income 1% Other income 1%

7% Grants and donations 30% Housing Housing benefit 30%benefit Housing benefit benefit 30% 30% Housing

1% Other income 1% Restricted Restricted 1% Restricted Restricted 1% // 1% // unusual income unusual income unusual income unusual income 1% Restricted /

30% Housing benefit 60% Trading Trading 60% Trading // 60% // Trading 60% Business income Business income Business income Business income 60% Trading / Business income

2014/15

unusual income 1% Legacies Legacies 1% Legacies Legacies 1% 1%

£6.3m £5.8m

£5,000,000

- Geoff

£4.9m

£4,000,000 £3,000,000 £2,000,000 £1,000,000

1% Legacies

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

Reuse and recycling, 2011-2015

Sources of referrals, 2014/15 5000

10%Department Housing Department Department 10% Housing 10% Housing 10% Housing Department 11% Probation Probation or 11% Probation Probation or 11% or 11% or Prison Services Prison Services or Prison Services Prison Services 11% Probation Prison Services Agency 37% Voluntary Voluntary Agency 37% Voluntary Agency 37% 37% Voluntary Agency 1% GP GP or or other other 1% GP or other 1% Health Service Health Service Health Service 1% GP or other Health Service

9% Other Other Emmaus Emmaus 9% Other Emmaus 9% 9% Other Emmaus 4% Private Private4% citizens and 4% Private citizens and and 4% citizens and Private citizens individuals individuals individualsindividuals 4% Private citizens and 26% Self Self referral or or 26% Self referral or referral individuals 26% direct application application direct application direct direct application 26% Self referral or direct application

“I feel lucky and privileged to be in this trainee role, as it has allowed me to learn and develop the skills to make a positive contribution to people’s lives.”

4000

1,305 1,222

3000

780 2000

774

680

1,820

1,999

2,092

2011/12

2012/13

2,842

2,972

1000

0

2010/11

2013/14

2014/15

“This role has been an eye opener as I have been able to see the work and effort of the staff in the office who keep the community running.”

– David

Emmaus in the UK 16

Emmaus UK Annual Review June 2014 – July 2015

673 companion places

25 communities 245 fantastic

volunteers

77 shops and social enterprises

100 tonnes of

goods recycled by each community

Thank you for your solidarity

Emmaus is shown great solidarity by our donors and supporters, without whom we would not be able to do what we do. Whether you’re a cash donor, a furniture donor, a volunteer, or a shopper, your support is making a big difference to the lives of people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion.

t: 0300 303 7555 | e: [email protected] 302 Scott House, Gibb Street, Birmingham B9 4AA Emmaus UK is registered charity number 1064470 and company limited by guarantee number 3422341, registered in England and Wales