Terry cuts the turf at Oxford

On 25th March, Emmaus Oxford welcomed Terry Waite CBE, President of the Emmaus UK Federation, to its site in Cowley where he officially started the build of the new Emmaus Oxford Community.

Terry sat in the bulldozer and, under instruction from the contractors, successfully manoeuvred the grab arm and lifted the first clod of earth! It proved slightly easier with a spade and both operations provided excellent photo opportunities for the local media.

Terry compared his experiences as a captive in Lebanon, where he was able to look back on memories and a stable family life, to those of many homeless people who did not have those advantages. "What Emmaus provides is a structure that enables people to get back on their feet and get back into life."

Speaking of the achievements of Emmaus Oxford, he said: "It has taken a while in Oxford and there were times, like in the Boat Race, when I thought that you were going under the water. But I knew that you would not."

The new building, due for completion in Spring 2009, will be owned by Dominion Housing Group and rented to Emmaus Oxford. The partnership with Dominion has enabled funding to be obtained from both the Housing Corporation and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Once completed, the Emmaus Oxford Community will offer a home and full time work in their furniture recycling business for 24 Companions.

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An artist's impression of the new Emmaus Oxford Community

Published on 2nd April, 2008

"This is the first time I've felt safe in 15, 16 years. No matter where I go in my life I'll always look back and be grateful for Emmaus; it was my turning point in life for definite."