A home for as long as needed
No time limit

A home for as long as needed

Each person living at Emmaus Cambridge has an individual bedroom with all meals provided in a communal dining room and normal living expenses covered. There is no time limit for their stay with us, and this stability helps people to rebuild their lives following homelessness.

To be accepted at Emmaus Cambridge, a person has to sign off all benefits with exception of Housing Benefit. This is claimed by Emmaus to support the community.

Most people stay at Emmaus Cambridge for a few months but some leave after a short time and others stay for years.

Work experience
Rebuilding confidence

Work experience

At Emmaus Cambridge, we know that it takes more than just a roof over someone’s head to help them overcome homelessness. That’s why, unlike hostels, companions are asked to volunteer up to 40 hours per a week in our social enterprise, with two days off, a long weekend after three months, and a week’s holiday after six months.

Volunteering covers work in our second-hand shop, Joan’s Coffee Shop, gardening, maintenance, van driving, collection and deliveries, stock sorting and kitchen work.

Social enterprise
Training opportunities
New skills

Training opportunities

Appropriate free training is provided in health and safety, manual handling, food hygiene and other subjects.

Opportunities are provided to access other courses and people can apply for the Emmaus UK Companion Training Fund to help cover the costs. Companions can also take on positions of responsibility within the community such as team leaders, duty team members and community assistants.

Some people also choose to gain experience in the PAT testing room to test donations of electrical items or restore donated furniture in the workshop.

“Emmaus saved me, and it wasn’t until I received their help that I felt like I could carry on living.”

Gary, Emmaus Cambridge companion.

Our stories