Preston homeless project set to open (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

Preston homeless project set to open

11:53am Monday 1st September 2008

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A project to help homeless men and women off the streets and into the workplace, will open in Preston this month.

The local branch of the international charity, Emmaus, has been working for the past 18 months transforming a former county council care home in Ribbleton into accommodation for its first 'community' scheme in Preston.

And as the scheme nears completion, a new second-hand superstore is set to open where the former homeless people will work.

Four people have so far started work at the store next to Homebase in London Road, in the city.

They are busy working to fill the shop with furniture and other donated household goods ready for its opening on September 30.

At Emmaus communities, formerly homeless men and women live and work together in a supportive environment.

Companions, as the residents are known, sign off unemployment benefits and work full time collecting, refurbishing and re-selling furniture and household items at Emmaus shops.

The aim is to establish a financially self-supporting community, and in return for their efforts, companions receive accommodation, food, clothing and a weekly allowance.

The Preston project will serve as a pilot to demonstrate how a successful model like Emmaus can reach a particularly hard to reach group of people and bring them off benefits and into meaningful work.

Simon Mould, project director of Emmaus Preston, said: “Emmaus helps the homeless and the disenfranchised who need the time to regroup and recover before kicking on into independent living.

“The project will deliver support to improve peoples' prospects of getting a job and will directly reduce the level of Incapacity Benefit claimants in Preston.

“The only benefit claimed by the residents within an Emmaus community is housing benefit as economic activity within an Emmaus Community is self sustaining.”

Emmaus allows people to stay for as long or as short a time as they want, which also allows more established Companions help with newer ones.

Building work on the living quarters at the former county council care home, the Birches in Ribbleton Lane is also nearing completion and will provide homes for 25 companions.

If anyone wishes to assist the project, call 01772 796622 or email simon@emmauspreston.org.uk

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