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A Magazine for Sheffield

Emmaus Sheffield: Changing lives

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Emmaus Sheffield is a unique drug and alcohol-free project. Providing a home, support and work for homeless people, the social enterprise is at the heart of the project, offering real work, training and a sense of community.

Their charity shop sells a range of good quality furniture, bric-a-brac, clothing and electrical items, with every penny raised from the shop going directly into providing the support needed by some of the most vulnerable members of society. By shopping with Emmaus, you're help to change someone's life.

Activities at Emmaus are designed to address the profound effects of deprivation and the barriers to achieving sustainable independence for their 'companions'.

The majority of Emmaus' companions have a role within the social enterprise, which now provides 52% of the income required to maintain the whole community.

The busy shop provides an opportunity to gain retail, IT and customer service skills. This is a great training environment, with a number of courses being taken alongside the daily work. Recently, companions have taken NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration and NVQ Level 3 in Retail Management.

The shop is very much the face of the Emmaus Sheffield social enterprise, but it doesn't suit everyone. Being constantly in the public eye can be a challenging task, particularly for those who are lacking in self-confidence. Emmaus often finds that when companions first arrive they prefer a role in one of the support areas, warehousing or collection and deliveries.

The length of time a companion can stay at Emmaus Sheffield isn't fixed. They do not set an end date for their services because they believe that everyone is different. Some stay for a few months, others much longer, and all are given the same opportunities to take advantage of the services that suit their needs.

Emmaus welcomes and relies on the generosity of the public. You can help them by donating good quality household goods to the shop or by making a financial donation. They're also always on the look-out for volunteers to help in a variety of roles.

Visit their website to find out more.

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