About Us

Emmaus Communities offer an alternative approach to homelessness by using a social enterprise model. Emmaus is a homelessness organisation with a difference. Here's why...

• Engaging in Community tasks and activities is essential to all Emmaus Communities. Companions give up income related benefits and engage in activities to develop the Community and make it financially self sufficient.
• The concept of Solidarity lies at the heart of the Emmaus Movement. This is about sharing and recognising the first principle of the Emmaus Universal Manifesto, ‘Serve those worse off than yourself before yourself. Serve the most needy first’ The ways in which Communities show Solidarity include sharing their surplus with others that have less, offering household goods at a discount or free to low income households and supporting other local community projects.
• Communities provide a supportive environment, enabling Companions to develop confidence, recover their self-respect and their independence. Emmaus Companions, unlike other residents of homelessness organisations, can remain in an Emmaus Community for as long as they need. There is no finite limit on length of stay: Companions remain in a Community for as long as they need. Personal development objectives are regularly reviewed by the Companions themselves, in association with the Community Leader.