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Emmaus Leeds – 2 years on

Emmaus Leeds is a charitable business which helps homeless people (Companions) to help themselves by providing a home and work in a supportive “family” environment.  Twenty-two people at a time (around 60 each year) benefit by living ‘above the shop’ and developing professional and personal skills in the Community’s business.  This gives them the chance to rebuild their dignity and self-esteem, learn new skills and go on to take their place once more in society.

On the 3rd November, Emmaus Leeds celebrated their second birthday; in the last two years they have converted an existing building to provide almost 950m² of space, developed the business ‘emmaus@home’ which has generated sales of well over £53,000 in its first year of operating, and nurtured a Community of mutual support which is dedicated to developing self-esteem and work skills in a culture of dignity and respect. 

The financial objective of Emmaus Leeds has always been to become financially self-sustaining within five years of operating, achieved through a combination of accommodation receipts and business income – they’re making good progress towards this but are not there yet which is why ERDF funding has been so essential to the set up initially. 

The second hand furniture store ‘emmaus@home’ is at the heart of the business, they collect, repair, re-sell and deliver good quality, affordable furniture, books, music, bric-a-brac and small electrical items to all LS post codes.  The ethos of recycling and refurbishing donated items supports the Emmaus Leeds’ environmental aims by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, which is in line with the Regional Economic Strategy, Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, Sustainable Development Framework and Vision for Leeds.  Donations of good quality furniture etc are vital to the growth and development of the business - Emmaus Leeds collect and deliver free of charge to all LS postcodes.  The coffee shop has expanded its menu considerably and provides a range of homemade food throughout the day.  In addition, they have a meeting room and IT suite (providing tailored training and standard courses) available to hire, and supervised car parking all day which is ideal for city centre shopping.   

It is through ‘living above the shop’ and working in our business that Companions develop dignity, self-esteem and skills enabling them to move out of the Community into independent living.  In the first 18 months 69 people were supported.  Of the 47 who left the Community during that period, 11 went into work and 16 moved in with family and friends, the other 20 either: moved into their own accommodation, went to another Emmaus Community, moved into other supported accommodation such as detox centres or destination is unknown.

Emmaus Leeds are committed to working with the wider community, providing resources to facilitate the development of a deprived area of Leeds.  They do a lot of work in conjunction with the local police and neighbourhood wardens, Housing Associations, local projects and other charitable organisations, several of whom have received EC Structural Funds / SRB Funding.