Two years ago, Matty Dotchin found himself with nowhere to live and faced being homeless in Coventry. Now, thanks to support from Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire, he is turning his life around. To help increase his chances of finding a job, Matty is currently learning to drive.
40-year-old Matty’s weekly driving lessons are being funded by Emmaus. Our charity, based in the Binley area of Coventry, provides a home for 18 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. Some stay for a while until they are ready to move on to independent living; others are in need of longer-term support and are able to stay for as long as they need to.
Those being supported raise funds by helping to run social enterprises including our charity shop on Red Lane in Coventry. They also have the chance to access free training and acquire new skills to help their future prospects.
“When I found myself facing homelessness, being offered a place at Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire really changed my life.
“The people here are supporting me and each day I’m one step closer to getting back on my feet for good. I’ve always wanted to learn to drive; it’ll be a great life skill to have and I’ll also be able to help out by driving the Emmaus van to collect and deliver furniture to customers of our Coventry charity shop on Red Lane.”
We’re very proud of how far Matty has come since he joined us. Many people who have experienced homelessness need time to gain the skills and confidence needed to re-enter the world of work. We give people the safety and security of a roof over their head as well as support and free training, including driving lessons. We’ll continue to offer Matty a home for as long as he needs it.