Who Can Join?

Admission Criteria for Emmaus Leeds

Emmaus Leeds endeavours to provide the opportunity for homeless and other socially disadvantaged people to regain control of their lives by living and working alongside others in a supportive communal environment. Its success depends on creating and maintaining a stable community and therefore before anyone is accepted detailed assessments of need and risk are undertaken. Emmaus Leeds will take applicants who present complex problems provided the community as a whole is able to support them.

The overriding principles in deciding on admission are (1) whether the community can provide a safe environment for the applicant, the community and others and (2) whether the community can meet the needs and offer appropriate support to an applicant.

The community is fully committed to an equal opportunities policy and will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, political opinion, disability, sexual orientation or past criminal convictions except as stated in these criteria unless it can be shown to be justified.

The community is predominantly made up of single people and preference will be given to single applicants. No children are accepted into the community.

  • Applicants must be over 18. Preference will be given to applicants over the age of 40 if the community does not have a significant number of Companions over this age.
  • Applicants must not have any serious mental health issues.
  • Applicants must not use drugs or have high alcohol addiction. Applicants will be considered who have recently undertaken a detox programme or are on a drug treatment programme. Conditions may be imposed.
  • Applicants must be willing to work as a volunteer full time and to the best of their ability.
  • Applicants must be prepared to comply with the rules of the community which include:
  • Companions must treat each other with respect at all times and be prepared to offer support and friendship to others
  • No alcohol or drugs are allowed on the premises
  • No violent or aggressive behaviour is tolerated
  • Companions cannot claim benefits or work outside the community or draw any money other than their community allowance except in limited circumstances and with agreement of the Community Leader
  • Evidence of previous conduct in any Emmaus community will be taken into account.