News & Views

Friday, 18 June, 2021Welcome back, Volunteers!

Emmaus Hampshire’s Chair of Trustees, Hazel Warwick (centre), hosted a lunch for Volunteers, Trustees and Vice Presidents. They are now returning to the Bar End Community after being away during the pandemic.

Included in the group were founder and President Alison Thompson, MBE (right) and Emmaus Hampshire’s most senior volunteer and Vice President, Anita Clark (left).

Anita Clark was not to be put off by the pandemic and continued to raise money from her own home when it was safe to do so, by receiving donations and selling them on to raise funds for Emmaus, whilst their stores were closed. Anita has volunteered at Emmaus Hampshire since it was founded in 2009 and has raised over £500k for the Community. Her energy and enthusiasm for the Emmaus project continues to shine.

Alison and Anita took responsibility for engaging with the other volunteers through the most difficult of times ensuring they were kept up to-date on the Companions (ex-homeless residents) during the pandemic.

Hazel Warwick, Chair of Emmaus Hampshire, said “it was wonderful to be able to meet up again with some of our unsung heroes who dedicate so much time to our project. We are so blessed that all our volunteers came through the pandemic safe, well and in good spirits. We are now re-integrating our volunteers back into the daily life of the Community”

Since it was built in 2009 Emmaus Hampshire has grown  to support up to 40 Companions at one time at the Community on Bar End Rd, Winchester.  A thriving social enterprise community, we provide a home, meaningful work and counselling to help individuals regain their independence. To help us grow further we are looking for more volunteers. Can you help? We ask our volunteers to commit at least 4 hours a week.  and are looking for volunteers with experience of and interest in

  • home retail to support our shop managers
  • furniture upcycling & restoration to help in our Repair Shop, newly built and fitted out in 2021
  • driving a Luton van (no special driving license required) to collect and deliver furniture
  • baking cakes at home to supply our Green Roof Cafe
  • serving customers in our Green Roof Cafe.

 

Our volunteers have a can-do attitude, do not prejudge, are happy working alongside formerly homeless Companions, and are fit and energetic.

If you can drive, bake, upcycle or have an eye for what Hampshire people buy, contact us on 01962 868300 or info@emmaushampshire.org.uk.