Emmaus Suffolk
Ipswich, UK
Initially, Emmaus Suffolk will provide work opportunities and experience to those who have been unemployed for a long time. By offering volunteering roles within our (not for profit) business we want to give people the chance to make a difference for themselves, in a supportive environment through work related training. We will follow the proven Emmaus Social Enterprise model which has been successfully implemented across the UK, by setting up a charity shop restoring and selling recycled furniture. Once the social enterprise is income generating, surpluses will support a Community House where the volunteers can live. Companions (our volunteers that are homeless or workless) will be provided with employment, training, increased skills and experience, knowledge and self-respect and a place to live. Independent research by Cambridge University in 2008 showed that with the potential savings to the criminal justice, legal and health systems, an Emmaus Community has the potential to save the tax payer over £24,000 per resident each year.

