Emmaus Cambridge, based in Landbeach, has been given a one-off grant of £30,000 which will allow it to employ an additional support worker to continue supporting single homeless people referred to the charity by the Council.
The funding comes from the Council’s Homeless Prevention Grant which district councils are allocated from the Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The purpose of the Homelessness Prevention Grant is to give local authorities more assistance in managing homelessness pressures and supporting those who are at risk of homelessness.
One of the priorities councils are asked to address with the grant is to aid reduction of rough sleeping and support provision for single homeless people.
Emmaus Cambridge has worked with the Council over a number of years. It provides people who have experienced homelessness with a home for as long as they need it, combined with training, support and meaningful work opportunities. Those it supports are known as companions and live together as a community at Landbeach. There is no time limit on the support given and some companions stay a few months, others for many years, giving them the security and time needed to rebuild their lives after homelessness.
The charity also has a shop in Green Lane, Landbeach, giving work opportunities to companions in a meaningful social enterprise, enabling them to regain any lost self-esteem and confidence while raising the money to support the charity’s work. The shop specialises in pre-loved furniture, household goods and clothing.
Cllr John Batchelor, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to offer this additional support to the Emmaus Cambridge charity which offers such crucial support to help homeless people in our district get back on their feet.
“By ensuring they have a secure roof over their heads and are provided with an opportunity to be involved in meaningful work, the charity allows them the time to deal with the issues which may have contributed to them being homeless, rebuild relationships and potentially turn around their lives.”
Diane Docherty, CEO of Emmaus Cambridge, said: “We’ve been providing support to people who have experienced homeless for over 30 years. Our unique approach gives people a secure foundation from which they can rebuild their lives, providing opportunities for training, support and work.
“Our Support Team is an important part of this process, working closely with our companions to help them reach their full potential and achieve their goals. We’re very grateful to South Cambridgeshire District Council for providing funding so we can bolster our support team and help even more people move away from homelessness.”