Unique Magazine November 2013

Hilary and Rob of Emmaus Cheltenham
a unique approach to homelessness
Tucked down Henrietta Street,
behind the Brewery the Emmaus
Charity Shop might look like any
other, selling furniture, bric a brac
and clothing. But did you know that
this shop is part of an international
movement that has a UNIQUE
approach to homelessness?
Emmaus Gloucestershire is one of 26
communities in the UK providing homeless
people with a place to live and work.
The shop in Cheltenham is one of four in
Gloucestershire that supports 23 formerly
homeless people, called companions. It is
UNIQUELY staffed - in return for board and
lodging companions give up the right to state
benefits and work 40 hours in the shops and
furniture warehouse.
We have a UNIQUE way of using the surplus
that we generate – we give it to others
who need it more than we do. This can be
local charities, individual families in need,
and international aid projects. Currently we
are supporting homelessness services in
Gloucestershire and several projects in India.
It’s not about the money we generate and
the excellent shops we provide in four
communities, it is about changing lives.
We have believe that in helping others we
help ourselves, and that meaningful work
restores dignity and inclusion in society.
The perception of people who are homeless
is that they are a drain on society, but the
residents of Emmaus Communities turn this
perception on its head. Not only do they work
to support themselves, but they also work to
help others.
It is a UNIQUE and successful business
run much like a co-operative. All goods
are donated and are sold on at low prices
with a high turnover of stock. We don’t
sell new goods or pay for our stock. The
people of Gloucestershire generously give
their unwanted goods and larger items are
collected free of charge. Emmaus rarely
says no to goods offered and we dispose of
the things we can’t sell in way that doesn’t
damage the environment – last year we
saved 415 tonnes from landfill.
It is a UNIQUE business and successful
business model. In 2011 UK research
(Just Economics) forecast a Social Return
on investment (SROI) of £11 for every £1
invested. The savings to taxpayers for every
companion living and working at Emmaus
Gloucestershire is calculated to be £47,442.
The first Emmaus Companion, living with
the founder Abbé Pierre in 1948 in France
helped to build temporary homes for those
in need, first in the priest’s own garden,
then wherever land could be bought or
scrounged. He later said; “Whatever else
he might have given me - money, home,
somewhere to work - I’d have still tried to kill
myself again. What I was missing, and what
he offered, was something to live for.”
It’s UNIQUE – but it works! It works because
companions work 40 hours a week to make
us independent and surplus generating. It
works because the people of Cheltenham
and Gloucestershire provide us with the
goods to sell and come and buy from us.
Most importantly it works because we work
for others and make a difference to lives
home and abroad.
visit us at 19 Henrietta St Cheltenham GL50 4AA Tel: 01242 269734
page 10
uniquecheltenham.co.uk/emmaus