Who we are

Emmaus is about people, many of whom arrive at Emmaus at a very low point in their lives. People become homeless for many different reasons but relationship breakdown, bereavement, addiction or abuse have often played a part. In Emmaus, they find the space and support they need to start rebuilding their lives. You can read the stories of some of our Companions (as those who live and work in Emmaus Communities are called) below.

As well as Companions, many other people make up the Emmaus Movement in the UK.

  • Our President, Royal Patron and Patrons, Terry Waite CBE, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and a wide range of other high profile supporters act as Ambassadors for Emmaus, offering their valuable advice and helping to raise our profile.
  • Emmaus staff in Communities, Groups and the Federation Office
  • Our volunteers and trustees
  • Our supporters

These people come from a wide variety of backgrounds and all bring different skills and experience to Emmaus. What brings the us together is our shared commitment to enabling those who have been homeless and excluded from society to rebuild their lives and help others. The central values of Emmaus, shared by the worldwide Movement, are set out in the Universal Manifesto of Emmaus, which you can download below.

Companions' stories

You can also read staff stories and volunteer stories

  • Garry

    I've been here about 6 weeks now. For me it's great, I just love the place. I love the whole ethos of it, the fact that they give people a second chance and work and a bit of dignity, earning their keep. It keeps your mind occupied. I'm doing the painting and decorating at the moment - I used to be a self-employed painter and decorator until things went pear… Read full story

  • Mark

    I have worked since I left school at 17, almost always in care work. I was manager of a care home for people with learning difficulties for 3 years, but I had a break down. I couldn't cope with the responsibility. I inherited a lot of money from a relative and went to Spain because a couple of friends were working on a boat in Majorca. I started drinking a… Read full story

  • Andy

    I was brought up in care. I went to a school in Shopshire. It was beautiful there. The countryside was lovely. In some ways those were the best years of my life. I was picked for the Junior Olympics when I was 14. My sport was the triathalon. I loved it, but I couldn't carry on because I started to have problems in my back. I had a friend at… Read full story

  • John

    I have a long history of drug and alcohol abuse. I started when I was about sixteen. It was partly because I got in with the wrong people, and partly the pressure of looking after my father who had cancer. I missed out on my childhood and teenage years. I had six brothers and a sister so it was a lot for my mum to deal with. My Dad was… Read full story

  • Dennis

    It was my decision to give away my daughters. I lost them in 1991 when Nicola was 6 and Lisa was 4. I did my best to look after them for as long as I could, but I couldn't really cope. I was drinking every day and I couldn't look after them properly. After they went, I drank even more. It became less and less likely that I was going… Read full story

  • Rachel

    I have obsessive compulsive disorder, but I was only diagnosed a couple of years ago, even though I know my feelings of anxiety started when I was about seven. My disorder took the form of continually checking things. It was connected to my feelings of self worth. I never felt that good about myself. I never felt comfortable in my skin. I didn't do very well at school and I… Read full story

  • Ken

    I am much more confident in the kitchen now. I was a kitchen porter before but they said I was the worst person in the kitchen. I could burn a boiled egg. Actually, I burnt 60 boiled eggs once. The most important thing I've learned is self-confidence. Preparation and presentation are really important. In hostels they just slap your food on your plate. If your food is served properly then… Read full story

  • Jan

    For me Emmaus was my last chance. It's really been good for me right from the start. It's given me a reason for everything, to get my life back on track. I was living on the streets for a while, getting away from an abusive partner. When I first came I couldn't do anything, wouldn't talk to people and kept myself to myself. I'm gradually coming out of my shell,… Read full story

  • Clayton Cutter (Leeds)

    I was in the RAF from the age of nineteen. I did my training at RAF Halton got posted to RAF Lossiemouth and then went to Norway. Just after September 11th I went to the Gulf for four months. I decided I wanted to join the Police and handed in my resignation to the RAF. When my application was still being processed, I injured my shoulder very badly and they… Read full story

  • Cyrus (Leeds)

    I have been at Emmaus Leeds since March 2004. I was an angry child and I grew into an angry adult. I was beaten very badly on a regular basis by my father when I was a child. For twenty years I related to people by being aggressive and terrorising them. If someone just looked at me, I’d want to know why. I went to prison quite a lot of… Read full story

  • Curly (Leeds)

    I came to Emmaus Leeds eight months ago. I was abused as a child. In those days such things were brushed under the carpet. My Dad’s brother was one of the people who abused me. My Dad beat him up and he died five months later. The other person who abused me killed himself. I helped my Dad on our small holding. We had pigs, ducks, poultry and goats. I… Read full story