In October 2026, we were proud to present An Evening of Hope – a special concert commemorating 50 years of providing support for people who are homeless, rough sleeping, in crisis or at risk of homelessness in Nottingham.
Held in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary’s Church in the heart of Nottingham’s Lace Market, the evening brought together supporters, volunteers, current and former service users, and members of the wider community for a celebration of music, creativity and connection.
Watch our highlights video to relive some of the memorable moments from the evening.
A celebration of community
Opening the evening, Chief Executive Officer, Isabella Harriss, reflected on what Emmanuel House has stood for since its foundation in 1976. She spoke of the relationships that sit at the heart of the charity’s work and the importance of community in helping people rebuild their lives.
While none of us wishes to celebrate the continued existence of homelessness fifty years on, there is so much to celebrate in the people who have shaped Emmanuel House over the decades: the staff, volunteers, supporters and individuals who have walked through our doors seeking support and a fresh start.
Emmanuel House was founded in 1976 by Father Roger Killeen on the principles of Catholic social teaching. You can see the strength of those values at work in Emmanuel House every day.
“We believe that every person is of equal worth, whatever their circumstances or the path that brought them to our door. We believe people should have a proper say in what happens in their own lives, and in how we run Emmanuel House. And we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to have purpose and meaning in their lives: dignity, solidarity, participation, working for the common good…
..Father Roger Killeen was Irish, and there’s an old Irish saying: “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” For me, this captures so much of what Emmanuel House is about – the relationships we build, the support we give each other, and the sense of belonging that helps people move forward. Over the last fifty years, the people have changed. Our work has developed. But those values have stayed the same and they still run right through Emmanuel House.”
An incredible line-up
The evening showcased a range of performers from across Nottingham’s community.
- Sing It BOLD Community Gospel Choir – A vibrant community gospel choir spreading hope, joy and connection through the power of song.
- Belters – An all-women’s vocal ensemble that has captivated audiences with rich a-cappella harmonies for over 20 years.
- Grassroots Vocal Workshops (VoiceChoice) – A community choir supporting people experiencing isolation, mental health challenges, or simply looking for friendship and connection through music.
- Streetlamps to Spotlights theatre group – Emmanuel House’s own drama group, showcasing the creativity, confidence and talent of its members.
- Lou – A Nottingham singer-songwriter who spent some time homeless, which inspired her to write music. She performed folk and indie covers and some of her own material.
- Can Samba – Bringing energy, rhythm and colour to the evening, Can Samba welcomed guests outside St Mary’s before the concert began.
Thank you
Events like this are possible thanks to the generosity, commitment and enthusiasm of so many people. Our thanks go to every performer who gave their time and talent, to our wonderful compère Neil, our photography team, sound engineer Chris Whetton, Broadway Cinema for supporting our drama group, St Mary’s Church for hosting us, and the many volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the event together.
We would also like to thank everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success. Whether you have supported Emmanuel House for decades, volunteered with us, worked alongside us, or were discovering our work for the first time, you are part of our story.
Looking forward
As we reflect on the past 50 years, we are incredibly proud of what has been achieved together. But our focus remains firmly on the future.
We share a vision of a Nottingham where far fewer people experience homelessness or rough sleeping, where safe and affordable housing is available to all, and where people can access support before reaching crisis point. At the same time, we remain committed to building the strong, compassionate communities that help people move beyond crisis and thrive.
For half a century, people across Nottingham have made Emmanuel House possible through their time, generosity, expertise and care. That is what we celebrated on this special evening: 50 years of people standing alongside people. Thank you for being part of the journey.
