"Our two charities are united in a belief that everyone, no matter who they are, deserves a safe place to call home"

Furniture from Emmaus ready to be delivered

Partnership working!  We are always looking for ways to work in partnership with other organisations for the benefit of those we support. Our Chair, Irene, and trustee, Kate, were introduced to the CEO of Emmaus, a charity and community working together to end homelessness, at a conference and started a conversation about working together.
 
Since then, Emmaus has responded to individual requests and then Gemma, Business Development Manager at Emmaus, contacted us in the summer  with an offer of solid, quality furniture (chests of drawers, small tables, bookcases and bedside tables) that was no longer needed in a Cambridge college.
 
This furniture was offered free of charge as part of Emmaus’ solidarity initiative. Transport costs are so often a barrier to taking up offers of donated furniture, but Emmaus kindly agreed to deliver items in return  for a small contribution from HWR.
 
Our volunteers Helen and Jane contacted asylum seekers who had recently received refugee status and needed furniture for their new accommodation.  Then, Helen liaised with Emmaus about the complex delivery schedule.  In early October over thirty items were delivered to 10 local families and  single people, a very long day for Robert the driver and his crew of two Emmaus companions. People are delighted to have such great furniture to store their things as they begin to make their homes here in Hertfordshire.
 
Gemma said: ‘We were delighted to be able to support Herts Welcomes Refugees with this project, and with their wider work to welcome and support refugees and asylum seekers in Hertfordshire. Solidarity is a huge part of what we do here at Emmaus Hertfordshire – projects like this can be very valuable for Emmaus companions as it is often key to helping to rebuild self-esteem, proving that everyone has the capacity to make a difference to the lives of others. Our two charities are united in a belief that everyone, no matter who they are, deserves a safe place to call home, and we at Emmaus Hertfordshire are especially proud to work with a charity like Herts Welcomes Refugees, who do such fantastic work supporting people to build a new life here in our county.’
 
Thank you so much to Emmaus, particularly Gemma for thinking of us, Robert the driver, the Emmaus companions and of course our wonderful volunteers.