"Sharing a meal, sharing a smile, Sharing the journey. £5 supplies a homeless person’s hot meals for a week in our friendly and supportive Drop-In service." Photo of a service user eating stew in Emmanuel House's Drop-In.

Join Us in Sharing the Journey – Emmanuel House Winter Appeal

Posted on | by Nic Ramsdale

As temperatures drop, the risk for people experiencing homelessness rises. Emmanuel House’s Winter Appeal is about more than providing shelter – it’s about sharing the journey to recovery and hope.

Every year, Emmanuel House walks alongside people as they rebuild their lives, helping them take the next steps toward independence. Our services are responsive, flexible, and tailored to each person’s needs. When someone comes through our doors, we don’t just offer a bed for the night – we provide emotional support, practical help, and a listening ear. From mental health support to housing advice, from warm meals to wellbeing groups, we’re here for the whole journey.

This year, we’re focusing on the power of sharing

  • Sharing a meal, sharing a smile – £5 supplies a homeless person’s hot meals for a week in our friendly and supportive drop-in service, providing nutrition and sustenance when it’s most needed.
  • Sharing my time, sharing knowledge – £10 enables us to meet a person experiencing homelessness for the first time, assess their needs and make a plan for support.
  • Sharing my story, sharing a laugh – £25 provides a beneficiary with a one-to-one wellbeing appointment, providing person-centred support and building trusting relationships.
  • Sharing warmth, sharing hope – £753 runs our Winter Shelter for 1 night for up to 30 guests. That’s roughly £25 per person. We provide warmth, food, and a safe place to sleep.

Why it matters

Homelessness can happen to anyone. According to Nottingham’s Street Outreach Team, 59 people were estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in November – a 320% rise from 10 years ago. Emmanuel House receives no statutory funding for its core services or Winter Shelter, so the Winter Appeal is vital to sustain support throughout the year. Every contribution, big or small, helps us share hope and joy with those who need it most.

Emmanuel House Winter Appeal poster 1: Sharing a meal, sharing a smile, sharing the journey. With a picture of a male service user in Emmanuel House's Drop-In eating stew and having a cup of tea. The man is wearing a hat and has a walking stick next to his chair.
Emmanuel House Winter Appeal poster 2: Sharing my story, sharing a laugh, sharing the journey. The picture shows two female service users at Emmanuel House's Women's Group. They are having a chat and smiling. One of the women has a cup of tea and the other has a glass of squash, there is a plate of biscuits on the table.
Emmanuel House Winter Appeal poster 3: Sharing my time, sharing knowledge, sharing the journey. Image shows two service users sat at a table with a support worker. The support worker is smiling and leaning forward to show she is listening to the service users. One of the service users has a cup of tea.
Emmanuel House Winter Appeal poster 4: Sharing hope, sharing warmth, sharing the journey. Photo shows Emmanuel House's Winter Shelter; a large room with camp beds, pillows, sleeping bags, chairs, and bags of essentials. In the far corner there is a standing lamp emitting a soft warm glow.

Harvey’s story

Harvey* first came to Emmanuel House after a relationship breakdown left him sleeping rough in Nottingham. He started using our Drop-In service for food and company, but his challenges went deeper – he was struggling with his mental and physical health.

4 people sitting around a table in Emmanuel House's Support Centre, smiling and chatting. Three of the people are service users and one is a support worker.

Our Wellbeing Support Team stepped in. Over the following months, Harvey worked closely with Clare, one of our Multiple Needs Workers. Together, they tackled the barriers holding him back: medical appointments, benefit appeals, and even securing a bus pass so he could see his children.

Gradually, Harvey’s life began to change. His children started spending more time with him, and Clare helped make his flat safer and more homely, getting a bunk bed and a fridge freezer through local grants. Today, Harvey feels proud to be the dad he always wanted to be. He says these changes have given him confidence and hope for the future.

Stories like Harvey’s show that homelessness isn’t just about housing – it’s about rebuilding lives. And that’s what your support makes possible.

How you can help

This winter, you can share warmth, hope, and joy by supporting Emmanuel House in one of these ways:

  • Donate: Just £5 provides a week of meals for someone using our services.
  • Fundraise: Host a festive get-together, collect donations with friends, or download our Winter Wish-List.
  • Give Essentials: We’re asking for 12 key items this year – our “12 Days of Christmas” list focuses on the basics that make a big difference. UPDATE 17/12/25: please drop these off at our Support Centre from 5th January onwards.
  • Business Support: Set up a donation bin, run a reverse advent calendar, or sponsor a meal at our Winter Shelter.
  • Volunteer: Sharing your time and skills can be extremely fulfilling. We have many roles available, so there is something for everyone!

Together, we can share the journey

Homelessness can happen to anyone. But together, we can make sure it doesn’t define someone’s future. Join us in creating a Nottingham where everyone has the chance to rebuild their life.