Case Studies
In Kind Direct – Emmaus, St Albans
Most residents of Emmaus communities have been living on the streets and sleeping rough although not necessarily because of drink and drugs, which is what most people believe.
Emmaus St Albans is a member of the In Kind Direct network and receives supplies through the charity which help turn the community into a real home.
David Bex, the community leader at Emmaus St Albans, says that many of the residents have, at some stage in their lives, taken a small step which proved to be a crucial wrong turning.
This might be something as simple as an unwise financial decision which is compounded first by bad advice and then by a downward spiral of panic and depression.
Many of the Emmaus residents were abused in childhood, came into the care of social services and at the age of 18 they found themselves in a hostile world with no statutory support.
Emmaus’s strapline is: “giving people a bed ….. and a reason to get out of it”. David Bex says that Emmaus is very much about providing an environment where people can take stock of their lives and where they are, work out what has led them to that point and how to take responsibility for finding a way back.
Emmaus communities live as a family, with members – called “companions” - supporting each other and working to contribute to the well-being of all. Each community is self-sufficient.
Emmaus has a triple purpose: to help the residents get back on their feet, to help the people the furniture is sold on to, and to help the environment, because much of the furniture they handle would otherwise end up in landfill sites.
Belonging to the In Kind Direct network is exactly the same ethos, and a vital part of their operation.
The supplies received through In Kind Direct have enabled them to make the community into a real home, supporting and sustaining the companions.
The savings made have helped David achieve financial self-sufficiency for Emmaus St Albans.
Click here to visit the Emmaus website.