With the ethos of serving first those in the greatest need, Emmaus Medway will become the 22nd Emmaus Community in the UK; providing up to 40 marginalised and homeless people each year with both a home and work in a social enterprise whilst also offering companionship, trust and security.
Emmaus provides much more than a hostel for the homeless and has a proven record in enabling residents (called Companions), to regain their self-respect and to develop the skills to break out of a culture of dependency to live successful independent lives. Recent research by Cambridge University confirms not only this effect on people’s lives but also savings of up to £30,000 per annum to the public purse for each Companion.
Emmaus Communities aim to ask once and never again, we strive to become self sufficient through our charitable trading activities, typically it takes 3 to 5 years of hard work to achieve this, Companions sign off all benefits except housing and work in the community and social enterprise. That’s why the support and charitable help of others at the outset is essential to the establishment of the community.
