Dean was homeless and living in a tent by a brook before Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire gave him a place to live and the support he needed to continue to turn his life around. During national Recycle Week (20 – 26 September 2021), Dean is calling on local people to donate and “recycle” unwanted items of furniture in order to help more vulnerable people change their lives for the better.
Each year, our Coventry-based homelessness charity ensures that around 6,700 pieces of furniture, worth more than £120,000 a year, including wardrobes, beds and three-piece suites, are saved from the rubbish tip. Instead we offer a free furniture collection service for large items in good condition. The collected goods are then sold in our specialist second-hand furniture shop on Red Lane, to help fund the charity’s work.
Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire provides a home and meaningful work for 17 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. Some stay for a while as they gain confidence and skills before they are ready to move on to independent living; others are in need of longer-term support and are able to stay for as long as they need to.
Dean became homeless after spending four years caring for his mother: “My life was once very good. I had a great job as a chef but had to give it up to look after mum when she became ill. After she died I couldn’t pay the rent and so found myself on the streets. For almost 18 months I slept in a tent near where I used to live. It was the cold temperatures that really got to me. Each day seemed like it lasted a fortnight. I didn’t see or talk to anybody because I was tucked away in a woodland. Some people might think it sounded like an adventure but when it’s below zero outside, and you’ve got a long beard full of ice, it’s not fun.”
Emmaus gave Dean a home, meaningful work and support: “Emmaus is brilliant – it’s like a stepping stone to get back into reality. I’ve got my own room and a reason to get out of bed each morning. Emmaus has given me back the confidence that seemed to slip away when I was homeless. My sense of pride has returned as well; I always used to be a smartly dressed person and now I feel like myself again. Emmaus has given me my life back and I’m incredibly thankful.”
Dean is now calling on local people to help: “We’re asking people to take a look around their house, shed, loft and garage – if they have any quality furniture they don’t need, they can call us to book a free collection from their home.”
We’re proud to think that by offering our free collection service we’re doing our bit to encourage people to think more about recycling and helping the environment. It’s a great alternative to having to take your unwanted furniture to the tip. We hope that our local community will pull together to help Emmaus make a difference – everything sold in the new shop will raise money to help us change the lives of formerly homeless people like Dean.
Book a free collection for unwanted furniture online or call us on 024 7666 1466.
Thanks for your support.