Help us shape the next chapter of Emmanuel House
In 2026, Emmanuel House reaches a remarkable milestone – 50 years of supporting people experiencing homelessness, isolation and hardship in Nottingham. From our home on Goose Gate in Hockley, we have spent five decades standing alongside people in crisis, offering safety, dignity and hope when it is needed most.
Thanks to our community of supporters, volunteers and partners, we recently marked another historic achievement – successfully raising the funds needed to purchase our building. This decisive moment has safeguarded our home and strengthened the foundations of homelessness support in Nottingham. Now, as we celebrate this success, we are stepping into the next phase of our journey and inviting you to help shape the next 50 years.
A place of welcome, every weekday
Our focus now is on sustaining the essential, everyday work that happens inside these walls. Owning our building gives Emmanuel House stability, resilience and the freedom to plan confidently for the future. But a building alone does not end homelessness – people, services and relationships do.
Our weekday morning drop‑in sessions are the only open‑access service of their kind in Nottingham city centre. Since opening our doors in Hockley in 1976, our drop‑in has remained a constant: a place where people are greeted warmly and treated with respect. Here, people can meet their most basic human needs – often for the first time in days or weeks – with:
- Nutritious food and hot drinks
- Warm showers and clean clothes
- Toiletries and sleeping bags
- A safe space to rest and talk
- Emotional support from trusted staff
- Care-of address for people with no fixed abode
- Mobile phone charging to stay connected.
In the year April 2025 to March 2026, 1334 individuals received direct support across our services. Regular access to food and a safe space helps people rebuild their strength, improves mental wellbeing and clear-thinking, and restores dignity, reminding people that they matter.
Support that works because we work together
Alongside food and practical help, our specialist support staff are on hand to offer advice on housing, benefits, and physical and mental health. Crucially, we work in close partnership with other agencies, many of whom deliver drop‑in sessions directly from our day centre, including Nottingham CityCare’s Homeless Health Team and the Rough Sleepers Drug and Alcohol Treatment Team. This means people can access medical care, mental health support and substance‑misuse services while they are already with us for breakfast, reducing barriers to essential support, enabling earlier intervention and prevention, and reaching individuals who might otherwise be missed.
Our work is only possible because of our community. Volunteers and supporters, including those from local companies, play a vital role in sustaining our services. Corporate partners such as Nottingham Building Society support not just with hands on help and donations, but with a shared commitment to kindness and responsibility. This partnership approach strengthens community ties and shows how powerful collaboration can be when tackling homelessness together.
Looking to the future and how YOU can help
As we mark our 50th year, we are inviting our supporters to help shape the next chapter of Emmanuel House. There are many ways to be part of this moment:
- Become a regular monthly or annual giver, helping provide stability and long‑term planning.
- Take part in “50 for 50” fundraising activities – 50km walks, 50 challenges, 50 donations led by our incredible supporters.
- Engage your workplace, community or network in supporting Emmanuel House.
- Volunteer your time or skills.
Every act of support strengthens the foundations we have secured together.
Behind every warm meal and conversation is a dedicated support worker. They are the steady presence who listens without judgement, helps people navigate complex systems, and reminds them they are valued. For many who come through our doors, this relationship is the first step towards stability and change.
With increased funding for our drop‑in services, we can achieve:
- Improved health, nutrition and wellbeing
Regular access to nutritious food and compassionate support leads to better physical health, reduced malnutrition, stronger immune systems and greater stability during crisis. - Greater access to essential and statutory services
Specialist staff and agencies based in our building mean more people can access healthcare, mental health support, housing advice and benefits, and make real progress forward. - Reduced homelessness and stronger pathways to housing
By meeting basic needs and intervening early, we can prevent homelessness and support people towards stable, long‑term accommodation and recovery. - A stronger community response to homelessness
Continued corporate partnership and volunteering strengthens service delivery, supports staff capacity and builds a more resilient, compassionate city.
For 50 years, Emmanuel House has been a place of welcome at the heart of Nottingham. With our building secured and our community beside us, we are now looking forward, determined to ensure that this place of care, dignity and hope remains for generations to come.
Thank you for helping us secure our future, and for being part of what comes next.
