South Tyneside homeless charity gets £10,000 boost

A South Tyneside-based homeless charity has received a £10,000 boost.
Sue Wilson of EmmausSue Wilson of Emmaus
Sue Wilson of Emmaus

Emmaus North East has received the cash from The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the organisation dedicated to supporting former coal mining towns and villages.

The money is the maximum grant awarded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and will be used to pay for a deputy community manager and start a testing service for good sold in Emmaus shops.

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Residents of Emmaus communities, referred to as companions, are given a home, meals and support and work within the social enterprise in varying capacities; learning new skills and rebuilding their self-confidence.

Shops across South Tyneside give companions work based opportunities that allow them to secure a regular income for the social enterprise through the upcycling, renovating and the selling of donated furniture and other goods.

Once an industrial unit is sourced later in the year the Coalfields funding will allow Emmaus to start their own PAT testing service.

The cash will contribute towards the equipment and external training required, which will mean that the organisation can PAT test the electrical goods, which they sell in their shops and start their own PAT testing service, creating an extra revenue stream for the charity.

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Sue Wilson, president for Emmaus North East, said: “The Coalfields funding has allowed us to safeguard one of the most important roles within our organisation. Reaching out to local homeless people and providing them with the support and training they need is vital if we are to make a difference to their lives.”

Andy Lock, head of operations (England) for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “Supporting homeless people that live in coalfield communities is incredibly important and Emmaus deliver some invaluable work by engaging with some of the most hard to reach to ensure that no-one is left behind. The skills, education, training and accommodation which EMMAUS provides helps homeless people to turn their lives around and secure long-term employment.”