Partners (staff) at John Lewis & Partners Leeds have selected Emmaus Leeds as their charity of the year.

Emmaus Leeds is a charity that provides a home, work experience and support to people who have experienced homelessness. The John Lewis & Partners Leeds partnership will cover a wide range of initiatives to help raise awareness and funds, alongside offering training and development opportunities to Emmaus Leeds.

Anne Wyman, Community Liaison Coordinator at John Lewis & Partners Leeds, said: “We are excited to support Emmaus this year through a number of Partner-led fundraising activities. Emmaus is a charity right on our door step that already does amazing work within the community, and we are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”

Emmaus Leeds supports 26 formerly homeless people by providing them with a stable home and meaningful work for as long as they need it. The charity has its main community building and social enterprise on St Mary’s Street, a stall at Kirkgate Market and a charity shop in Halton.

Donald Forrester, Chief Executive of Emmaus Leeds, said: “The Emmaus Leeds community is extremely honoured to have been selected as charity of the year by John Lewis & Partners. We are very excited by the potential ways in which Partners at John Lewis & Partners Leeds can support our charity and offer direct opportunities to our beneficiaries. As a large retail organisation, it is also hoped that their expertise will help in the continued development of the Emmaus Leeds social enterprise.”

To find out more about the work of Emmaus Leeds head to www.emmaus.pleasecheck.me/leeds. For more information, to donate an item or get involved as a volunteer call 0113 248 4288 or visit Emmaus Leeds at St Mary’s Street, Leeds, LS9 7DP.