Lee, who attends Penny Meadow Skils & Sensory Day Centre, is gaining valuable work experience with at Emmaus each week. He’s taking on a variety of tasks and learning new skills – helping to sort donations, construct furniture, and arrange displays in the charity’s shops.
Penny Meadow is very much a part of the Colchester community and collaborates with local organisations such as Emmaus to secure work experience placements for people supported at the service. Achieve together actively encourages people we support to seek employment opportunities. It is an element of our Wheel of Engagement person-centred support planning framework.
Emmaus Colchester provides a home, work opportunities, training, and therapeutic support for people who have experienced homelessness and trauma. Residents at Emmaus live together in a community and are supported to rebuild their lives.
Independence and variety
Lee’s Support Worker Claire, who supports him to work at Emmaus, says: “Each day at Penny Meadow is different. We want to help people build life skills that could lead to a more independent life.
“Lee receives one-to-one support from us each week. He is a wonderful person who loves coming to Emmaus and being part of the team. Lee has an eye condition that makes him very sensitive to light and some risks come with that when working in a busy environment. Not everyone would welcome Lee with open arms, but Emmaus did and that means a lot to both of us.”
One of the gang
Lee shared: “I like coming to Penny Meadow. I get to muck in with lots of activities and spend time with my mates.
“At Emmaus, I help with the vans, moving furniture, learning to use tools, and how to PAT test. I like working with the guys here, and I feel like one of the gang.”
There’s a close synergy between Achieve together and Emmaus. Both organisations are passionate about community building and creating an environment where everyone can learn and thrive. It’s also really important to us both to create an environment where everyone is welcomed and celebrated.
Darren Scott, Business Manager, shares “It’s been great having Lee with us at the warehouse, he’s been getting involved in lots of tasks and projects and has turned his hand to everything. Our companions love to meet new volunteers and support other people to gain new skills.”
A huge thank you to Emmaus for showing Lee the ropes and making him part of your team!
To find out more about volunteer placements, get in touch via info@emmauscol.org
