Emmanuel House is an independent charity that supports people who are homeless, rough sleeping, in crisis, or at risk of homelessness in Nottingham.
Our purpose is to tackle isolation, vulnerability and homelessness within our community by providing an inclusive, compassionate service to people who need help, whether it’s providing brief reassurance or more in-depth and prolonged support.
Founded in faith in 1976 by Father Roger Killeen, Emmanuel House opened on Goose Gate to support people who found themselves homeless. Since then, we have been striving to provide diverse and accessible services that meet basic human needs in a safe, inclusive environment. At all times, we advocate in the best interests of people who are homeless or vulnerable.
We empower our local communities to make positive changes, equipping them with the skills to live interdependently and providing opportunity for growth and recovery.
We want the legacy of Emmanuel House to make a positive difference to the lives of people in Nottingham.
Our founding values are based on kindness, compassion and putting people first.
Emmanuel House exists to reduce homelessness through prevention, intervention and recovery. We work with people who are in crisis and need intervention and support to prevent them from becoming homeless and we share the journey of recovery out of homelessness into settlement or a place of safety. We aim to provide the earliest and most appropriate intervention, which looks towards a person gaining independence and safety.
Why?
We believe that everyone is entitled to support to make positive changes and reach their full potential. Everyone has the right to a standard of living that is adequate for them and their family’s health and wellbeing. This includes food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services. This also includes security in the event of unemployment, sickness, old age or disability.
Everyone is of worth, regardless of their nature, their history or their circumstances. This worth becomes before economic limitations that are often out of our control.
Who do we support?
We welcome people without prejudice or judgement. Any individual, regardless of their economic status, resident status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or country of origin is able to access our services, which are all free.
- We provide services for people who are local to Nottingham but also those who come from other countries and have found themselves in our city.
- We support people with ’severe multiple disadvantages’ – people who are experiencing a combination of problems all at once, including homelessness, current or historical offending, problematic substance or alcohol misuse and mental ill health.
- We support people who are street homeless and need to help to recover from their experiences of homelessness.
- We work with people who are at risk of homelessness – those who might have a ‘roof’ over their head but are sofa surfing, living in sheds, garages or tents, as well as those staying in temporary accommodation, hostels or shelters and those living in unacceptable housing situations that are dangerous, cold, damp or overcrowded.
- We work with people who have ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ – people who can’t access statutory benefits until they have been paying council tax and working in the UK for at least five years.
- We work with women who have fallen through the net – women whose needs have been considered too high or too complex and therefore left out of the system.
- People from minority ethnic communities who struggle to access services.
Who are we?
The Drop-In Team at our city centre support centre operates a drop-in service that offers food, clothing, showers, a sense of community, the ability to connect with others, mental health and wellbeing support and communication facilities. There is a dynamic activities programme including singing, gardening, crafts, board games and drama workshops.
Night Shelter
The Night Shelter has operated every year between October and March since 2006. In 2026, for the first time in its history, it remains open year-round throughout the summer months, too. It is an integral part of the plan to reduce homelessness in the city of Nottingham. It provides emergency shelter, acceptance, physical and emotional support, and encouragement in making positive changes including securing long-term accommodation solutions.
Outreach team
Our outreach team is made up of the Wellbeing Support Team, mental health support in the county and The Umeed Team, working with minority ethnic communities.
Our services are continually evolving to meet the needs and demands of our local community and now include tailored services for women, Polish speakers and minority ethnic communities, ensuring a holistic and dynamic service.
Emmanuel House cannot make a difference on its own, but only in the context of partnerships at many levels. We work with other vital services in the city to reduce homelessness in Nottingham. We rely on important partnership work with other agencies, including the Women’s Centre, drug and alcohol services, the Street Outreach Team and many more.
How do we provide support?
We take a holistic, person-centred approach to meeting people’s needs – whether these needs are material, practical, social or spiritual. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. We provide support that best suits a person’s needs.
Our team of specialist staff work tirelessly to provide wrap around care, often working together to provide the most appropriate support, providing advocacy, companionship, practical support and kindness.
Emmanuel House Charity Shop
Emmanuel House has always prided itself on providing a safe and supportive environment whilst working towards practical solutions that meet the individuals needs.
We also have an on-site charity shop, which brings in much needed income for Emmanuel House and is a place for service users to gain first-hand work experience.
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