THE ‘INSPIRATIONAL’ founder of Coventry and Warwickshire homelessness charity Emmaus has won a national lifetime achievement award.
Regional trustee and founder Tim Brooke was winner of the Housing Heroes Award 2020 ‘lifetime achievement in housing’ presented in an online awards ceremony hosted by British actress and comedian Jo Caulfield.
He said: “’I was delighted and amazed to be given the award. I see it very much as an accolade for Emmaus Coventry and Warwickshire and its tried-and-tested model for helping formerly homeless people to get back into mainstream society.”
Since 1992, Emmaus has supported more than 1,000 formerly homeless people.
Based in Binley, the charity offers accommodation, support, training and meaningful work in a community setting.
Tim’s work began 28 years ago when the Coventry Council of Churches decided to do something to tackle growing homelessness in the area. Having witnessed the effectiveness of French charity Emmaus years before, he worked with them to gather like-minded volunteers and together they set up the second Emmaus in the UK.
Tim has continued volunteering for the charity, undertaking the roles of chair, trustee and advisor over the years.
Current chair of Emmaus UK and Coventry and Warwickshire trustee Susan Taylor said: “I was jumping for joy when Tim’s name was announced. He’s an inspiration and has helped create a safe place for socially excluded and vulnerable people to rebuild their lives. Tim is a real hero, having given almost 30 years of his life to this charity as a volunteer. It shows just what can be achieved through determination and kindness.
“Thanks to Tim’s work, Emmaus Coventry and Warwickshire offers people hope and security in a supportive community. There are many people who need help, who want to change their ways and their chances but get stuck or spiral into desperate situations. We provide support, training and a place to live, so they can start to turn their lives around.”
Emmaus is an international movement helping those in need across the world. There are now 29 communities across the UK supporting 815 former homeless people. The charity offers more than just offer a bed for the night – it provides a home and meaningful work in a social enterprise to 18 formerly homeless adults in the local area.
They are supported by employment in a second-hand furniture shop on Red Lane in Coventry, along with our other social enterprises including a house clearance service and the collection of bulky waste on behalf of Coventry City Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council.
Visit emmaus.org.uk/coventry-warwickshire for more information.
