Homelessness can happen to anyone says new campaign by Sheffield charity

And that’s what homeless charity Emmaus Sheffield is saying out loud as it launches a new fundraising campaign in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emmaus Sheffield is the drug and al cohol free project that provides a home, support and work for formerly homeless people in the city.

Through its Social Enterprise programme it aims to provide meaningful work and enable the people it supports – known as companions - to eventually become self-supporting once more.

The charity’s new online funding campaign features the companions on camera repeating the simple and extremely moving message: “It happened to me.”

And on screen with each face is a brief explanation of what led to them seeking the help and support of Emmaus after becoming homeless: My partner passed away; I suffered from depression; I lost my job; I struggled with alcohol; I couldn’t cope living alone; My dad was abusive.

“We have up to 18 previously homeless men and women living with us at any one time and all of them demonstrate very clearly that homelessness is not just something that happens to other people,” said Emmaus Sheffield deputy m anager Charley Fedorenko.

“These are all people of all ages who had lives, homes, families, the things that everybody takes for granted.

“And each of them has a story that that could be the story of any one of us as we go through life.

“We are so proud of the way in which our companions have shared their stories and we hope that by seeing their faces and hearing their voices, people will stop and think about how they could help us at this difficult time.”

The charity is based in a former cutlery factory and a Grade II listed building called Sipelia Works on Cadman Street. It opened its shop in August 2007 and welcomed its first companions in January 2008 .

To see the film and find out more about Emmaus Sheffield and how to support the charity’s work visit https://www.emmaus-sheffield.org.uk/emmaus-videos/homelessness-can-happen-to-anyone

FROM THE EDITOR

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