Emmaus Cambridge was the first Emmaus community to be established in the UK.
There are now 29 communities across the UK supporting more than 815 people, known within Emmaus as companions, by providing a home for as long as needed and meaningful work in a social enterprise. There are also five Emmaus groups currently working to open new communities.
You only have to read the stories of some of the people we have supported to see what a difference Emmaus can make.
We offer people who have experienced homelessness a place to call home for as long as they need it and meaningful work in our social enterprise. Living in a stable environment with the opportunity to gain new skills helps our companions to regain any lost self-esteem and confidence so they can get back on their feet.
Emmaus Cambridge, and in fact the entire Emmaus movement in the UK, came out of one man’s realisation that what homeless people wanted was not handouts, but self-respect.
Research shows that for every £1 invested in an Emmaus community, there is an £11 social, environmental and economic return, with savings to the benefits bill, health services and a reduction in crime.