Emmaus' founder awarded CBE

Selwyn Image has been awarded an CBE in the New Year Honours’ list in recognition of the key role he played in bringing the Emmaus Movement to the UK.

The Cambridge businessman first became concerned about the plight of homeless people in 1990, when homelessness and vagrancy had reached epidemic proportions. There was an urgent need to provide workable solutions, particularly for the single homeless.

Whilst working as a volunteer in a soup kitchen in Cambridge, Selwyn met a homeless man who told him that the provision of food and shelter was not enough. When asked what he did want, he replied:

“I want to work and belong. I want my self-respect back. I don’t want to queue for handouts or have to beg for food. And I don’t want people to cross the street to avoid me”.

Selwyn thought of the Emmaus Community in France, where he had worked thirty years before as a student. He realised that the idea of providing a home and work for homeless people, who could support themselves through collecting and recycling donated goods and selling them in community shops, could work in this country.

Forming a steering group and with only an initial £1000 donation from each of the five committee members, he motivated key figures, raised the necessary funds and saw the first Emmaus Community in this country through to completion. In 1992, two derelict farm buildings had been refurbished and were ready to open their doors to the first wave of homeless people.

15 years later, there are 14 Emmaus Communities around the UK, providing a home and work to around 350 formerly homeless people. In addition, 12 local Groups are actively working to establish Communities in their own areas. Selwyn Image CBE is Vice-President of the growing Movement and remains actively involved.

Published on 2nd January, 2008

"Emmaus gives you responsibility and believes in you. I've been quite selfish in my life. There comes a time when you decide you've got to do something about it. I've stopped feeling sorry for myself."