Our vision is to enable homeless people to rebuild their lives through a social enterprise that enriches and involves the local community. An Emmaus community, once established, turns ‘charity’ on its head.
Community
We aim to be self-funding with three to five years, via the money generated through our social enterprises. Our social enterprises, so far, consist of three charity shops, a workshop, a social supermarket and a pop-up market stall at the South Shields market once a week.
Our Emmaus community – like the others spread across the UK and abroad – will help people who have been homeless to discover new confidence and self-respect through working with others and contributing to the life of the wider community
By helping to address homelessness and unemployment in the North East, our community will save taxpayers more than £500,000 every year.
Partnership
The strength of our community lies in partnership working. We are a flagship social enterprise in the North East and work in partnership with other local organisations, including local councils, charitable bodies and community groups, such as schools and churches. Together, we will work towards ending homelessness.
People
We are not a hostel for the homeless. We don’t just offer a hot meal or a bed for the night. We are the homelessness charity with a difference. We provide a home for as long as it is needed, ongoing support (in whatever form it is needed for the person), funded training, companionship and meaningful work experience for up to 22 people who have experienced homelessness. Our community and social enterprises employ people who are local to the area and have a highly valued team of volunteers.
We are people focused, not numbers driven.
To find out more about how you can get involved and partner with us to enable our vision, click here.