Winter Shelter
We re-opened the Winter Shelter for the 18th year on 14 October. Since then, we have provided first stage move-on accommodation for 59 people (as of 18 December). 21 of these people have moved into more sustainable accommodation, including private-rented tenancies, supported housing or our own longer-term single-room accommodation. This year, we have seen an increase in female referrals, 15 of the 59 people who have stayed with us.
This year’s shelter provides a warm place of safety with food and support, after which guests are welcomed in the day centre in the mornings. In the afternoons, we’re offering ESOL classes and inter-agency sessions with employment organisation Beam and working closely with the city council’s Nottingham Private-Rented Assistance Scheme.
Increase in demand at the day centre
Based on the current number of people using our drop-in service, we’re expecting to have over 10,000 visits to the day centre and serve over 10,000 meals across this current financial year. In 2022-2023 we had 4257 visits and in 2023-2024 we had 7321.
A number of different agencies are running drop-in sessions at the day centre, including the Department for Work and Pensions, CityCare’s Homeless Health Team and the Rough Sleepers Drug and Alcohol Treatment Team. This enables our beneficiaries to access a variety of specialist support whilst they’re having their breakfast at Emmanuel House. Alongside our own basic services and housing support, people can receive medical treatment and support to make GP appointments, as well as support to access the right benefits they need and are entitled to. It also means that these services are able to connect with vulnerable people they would not otherwise have contact with. For example the DWP Advisor has been able to help 60 beneficiaries access benefits to which they were entitled This inter-agency work enables beneficiaries to navigate the often complex NHS and DWP systems.
Wellbeing services
This year our mental health teams have been busy offering emotional support for beneficiaries in distress, as well as running a variety of different social inclusion activities at the day centre during the afternoons.
Our Women’s Group started as one coffee and cake afternoon and has evolved into weekly sessions, which now include mindfulness, cooking classes, budgeting advice, social events, arts and crafts, and sometimes just sitting and having a chat providing the opportunity for mutual support.
We started a weekly Men’s Group in August using the same model. It aims to provide a safe place for men to talk, share experiences and take part in positive activities such as crafts and focus groups. Men’s Group is a safe space for male beneficiaries to talk about their wellbeing and mental health. We treat them seriously, in a non-judgmental way, so they feel safe to talk about how they feel.
Our aim for next year is to set up a variety of groups, including for parents with young children and groups for specific cultures and ethnicities. In September we took a group of 14 beneficiaries to the seaside, which enabled people that can’t afford to go on holiday to enjoy a special day out, and we visited the National Space Centre in November. These are great for people who are anxious to travel alone by public transport as they go with friends from Emmanuel House, as well as support workers.
Our County Mental Health Support Worker is extremely busy supporting people living in hostels, as well as people who already moved out and are living in the community. She is offering a lot of emotional support and supporting people to identify and achieve their goals. She is also linking clients with appropriate organizations for more specialist support.
Culturally Specific Team
Our Culturally Specific team continues to support people from minoritized communities with tenancy issues, helping them navigate the journey through the system, including eligibilities for medical assistance and welfare rights. This long–term support empowers people to improve their situation, reduce isolation and get involved in the local community. This project is shaped by a group of people representing minoritised communities who meet regularly.
Volunteering
Emmanuel House continues to benefit from an incredible community of volunteers. On a single day last week, we had one of our regular volunteers serving breakfast, another cooking and serving lunch, a local business to cook a meal for our Winter Shelter, a couple of volunteers running the charity shop, and volunteers from Heart Church to support our beneficiary Christmas party.
This past year we have experienced a crescendo of businesses volunteering, alongside our regular volunteers. One of the great features of this is the incremental build up of understanding about homelessness as people are serving breakfast or sorting donations. The more people in the community understand what homelessness is and how it is caused, the more we are likely to irradicate it. The tasks that volunteers do provide so much support for Emmanuel House for which we are so grateful. Volunteering will always be integral to making Emmanuel House the charity it is.
Fundraising
We’ve had an incredible year of support from our community. We had 47 people running the Robin Hood Half Marathon for Emmanuel House, two stunning performances from Belters, a super successful fundraising lunch and auction at Spotlight, donation drives at national theatre performances, football tournaments, bake sales, Pride celebrations, shoe samples sales, music festivals and folk gigs – the list is endless.
You make the difference by supporting us this year. Emmanuel House could be described as the ‘community’s charity’ because it is only in partnership with you that we can deliver our services.
As the needs in our community grow, especially during the challenging winter months, there are so many ways each of us can contribute to making a difference, however small. Whether it’s through volunteering, donating or simply sharing our mission, every little action counts. Together, let’s continue to build a community where everyone feels seen, valued and supported. Let’s remember that these ‘little things’ can add up to the most meaningful changes in people’s lives. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.
