Charity has given homes...and hope

TWENTY years of helping formerly homeless people... Founding members (L-R) Chris Mayer (original community leader), Frances Hirst (Chair of Trustees), Richard Darlington (one of the leading founders) and Ann Thorne (founding vice chairman).

FOUNDING members of homeless charity Emmaus Mossley gathered with those who have been helped by the social enterprise to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Friday.

The charity, which was first registered in 1996, supports formerly homeless people by giving them a home, meaningful work in a social enterprise and an opportunity to regain lost self-esteem to help rebuild their lives.

The group that founded Emmaus Mossley, based at Longlands Mill on Queen Street, was led by Richard Darlington who helped to establish Emmaus Cambridge, the first Emmaus community in the UK.

Richard, along with other founding members including Ann and Andrew Thorne, Eileen Lees and Chris Mayer, set about raising the necessary funds and support to open Emmaus Mossley, the first Emmaus community in the North.

Richard Darlington, honorary patron of Emmaus Mossley, said: “From such a hairy start it is a real pleasure for me to see how Emmaus has developed and to learn from companions how it has benefited their lives.

“This event has given me an opportunity to say thank you to over 30 people who managed to make it.”

In the 20 years since the Emmaus Mossley opened, it has grown into a thriving charity and has supported more than 400 formerly homeless men and women. The charity runs a social enterprise in Mossley, selling donated and upcycled furniture, household goods and vintage wares.

It receives support from Oldham and Tameside residents, as well as customers from Manchester and further afield.

Frances Hirst, chair of trustees at Emmaus Mossley, said: “It was lovely to welcome back so many people who played such an important role in establishing Emmaus Mossley.

“The charity has grown substantially in the past 20 years.

“On behalf of the trustees and current community we would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the founding members for all their hard work, commitment and vision.”

To find out more or to support Emmaus Mossley, visit www.emmaus.org.uk/mossley.

If you would like to get involved or donate an item to help the charity, call 01457 838608.