news archive
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Emmaus Oxford would like to thank our supporters for all their kind donations and help during this very exciting year of 2008, in which we have seen our long held dreams almost come to fruition. A Very Happy Christmas and New Year to you all! This image, used as an Emmaus UK Christmas card for 2008, is a unique design made in stained glass by Steve Roche, a resident of St Martin's Emmaus in Dover. Homelessness is not just having nowhere to live. It is about losing your independence, being humiliated, isolated and ignored. Emmaus Communities enable people to move on from homelessness, providing home and work in a supportive, family environment. Residents - called Companions - work together, collecting donated furniture and household goods and selling it in Community shops to support themselves and reduce waste going to landfill. |
the Great Leap Forward
For Emmaus Oxford, it's not just Friday February 29th that has made 2008 a Leap Year! This is the year that we are watching our long-awaited community building rise from our plot of land at 171 Oxford Road, Cowley. Indeed, during the week leading up to 29th, the bulldozer was already hard at work!
Emmaus Oxford has entered into partnership with Dominion Housing Group to provide accommodation for up to 24 formerly homeless people - our Emmaus Companions. In summary, it works like this. Dominion's involvement has attracted major government funding (from the Housing Corporation and CLG - Communities and Local Government). Dominion are managing the build. Completion is scheduled for early 2009, at which point ex-homeless people will begin to move in. We will have full responsibility for running the community in accordance with Emmaus principles and ethos. (To read more about the Emmaus movement in general, please see the 'about emmaus' page.)
By the time contracts were exchanged with Dominion, lengthy and detailed discussions had taken place over the previous year, with arrangements already in place for the contractors to come on site straightaway. It's a really exciting time for us in the office here, as we watch so many people's dreams, and hard work over several years, bear fruit! We'll show progress photos on this site, so do visit from time to time to see how things are coming along.
Although it is wonderful that the capital costs of the building are covered, we are aware that we still need to raise substantial funds to support our fledging community during the early years. Eventually it should become self-supporting: the Companions will work hard in a furniture recycling business to help this happen. We hope soon to let you have news of this side of the project, our social enterprise, too.
15th March 2008
Last winter (2006-7) we have held two informative and stimulating lectures on important contemporary issues, by eminent speakers in their respective fields. A serious start to the weekend maybe, with the lectures beginning at 7.30pm on Fridays, but the wine and canapes available during the half hour beforehand had provided a little post-work relaxation!
On November 11th, Professor Sir Richard Gardner spoke on the topic "Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine: Principles, Prospects and Problems". He was followed on February 2nd by Sir Jeremy Greenstock sharing his thoughts on "Globalisation and Polarisation: Where is the World Heading?" Guests appreciated the knowledge, experience and clarity they brought to complex and controversial issues.
We are extremely grateful to both speakers for so kindly giving their valuable time to help Emmaus Oxford, and to Professor Colin Mayer and the Said Business School for their generous provision of lecture facilities and refreshments.
[Feb 15th 2007]
Three local firms hosted the memorable Oxford Charities Auction in September 2006. Thanks to Carter Jonas, Critchleys and Morgan Cole for raising over £80,000 at the event. Thanks also go to University College, Oxford for the use of their magnificent dining hall. The auction was held to help not only Emmaus Oxford but two other local charities – Helen & Douglas House and The Mulberry Bush School. A combination of generously donated lots and enthusiastic bidding made for a great night. The lots included a stay at Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve, The Usulaba Resort, South Africa and Lunch for two with Boris Johnson in the House of Commons. In charge of the hammer was renowned auctioneer and expert from BBC TV’s “Flog it!”, Charlie Ross.
David Cole, Trustee
[Feb 2007]
The Oxford Sleep Out... |
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‘Twas the 26 th November, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Instead we were all participating in The Oxford Sleep Out 2005! It was a sight to be seen – a mass sleep out in St. Clement’s Churchyard, on the Marston Road. The Oxford Sleep Out, held every year, is a thought provoking event and helps to raise money and awareness for homeless charities in the area. |
Emmaus Oxford trustee and veteran sleep-outer Jean Williams has been involved every year since it started in 1989. “I got involved because there is a huge gap between the dreaming spires and the physical and emotional distress people are experiencing on the street.” This year Jean, Companion Geoff Wood, and I worked as site wardens during the night, along with volunteers from other homeless support organisations, ensuring that everyone was safe and well and hot drinks were on offer for all. As all the sleepers were relieved to get up, pack up their beds and return home, the thought occurs to me that the homeless are not so lucky. However, with a turn out of well over 50 people raising a total of over £15,000 in sponsorship, the evening was a great success in supporting those organisations who provide food, shelter and care for the homeless in Oxfordshire. |
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The Road to Emmaus leads to Success… |
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A huge thank you to all who supported us by attending the concert held on 14 th October 2005 at Christ Church Cathedral. The event continued the theme of Journeys following last years Carol Concert, and this leg of the Journey was to launch us onto the Fundraising Campaign to cover the costs of the Community building. |
Alexander Masters; Author of “Stuart: A life backwards” |
The evening proved to be a most intimate affair, with music from the Christ Church Cathedral Choir under the directorship of Stephen Darlington, Musical Director and with Organist Clive Driskill-Smith. The evening was coordinated by our very own Events Committee, readings chosen by trustee, Moira Darlington. The evening was hosted by a number of high profile guests who read poems and sections from books on the evening’s theme. Anneka Rice, Alexander Masters, Susan Hill, Sir Ian Blair and Ian Laing, High Sheriff filled each reading with their own inimitable style. After this, Patron Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire provided the evening’s address and outlined the very real need for such a Community to provide opportunities to the homeless of Oxford to transform their lives. Following the concert all guests were invited to join us for drinks and nibbles in the Great Hall, now famous as the Hogwart’s Dining Hall from the Harry Potter films. This was an opportunity for all to reflect upon the success of the evening and the ways in which the Campaign would be able to move forward towards our target of £1.8 million in the most effective way. A number of key donations were made; taking the total raised to over £30,000 towards our target and helping us one step closer to building an Emmaus Community in Oxford. |
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London Triathlon: After a great deal of training with one or two set backs - including a strained ligament! - Mathew and his friend Andy Gordon managed to raise a fantastic £568 in support of Emmaus Oxford. Emmaus Oxford would like to thank both Matthew and Andy for all their support and to those who chose to sponsor them! |
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The Emmaus Summer Volunteer Programme
The Emmaus Summer Volunteer Programme is open to anyone over the age of 18, regardless of culture or religion. The volunteers discover daily life of the Companions as they work and live with them.
Accommodation and meals are provided but the cost of travelling to the Community must be met by the volunteer. To apply go to the following website and submit your details www.volontariat-emmaus.com. Camps are located all over France and also in Spain and the minimum duration of your stay should be 8 days but most people stay much longer.
[Apr 20th 2005]
St Andrew’s Church Linton Road North Oxford
The congregation of St Andrew’s Church Linton Road in North Oxford took up the Emmaus cause for their Harvest Festival project and with enthusiasm raised a considerable sum of money to go towards yet another Companion’s room. Not only have they done this but they are very keen to have an ongoing relationship with Emmaus Oxford and their youth group, SAYGO, have recently been up to help with the decorating of the Emmaus Oxford office and future Community Leaders home. I have also been lead to believe they may return to help tidy up!
We hope this might become a model for other Churches and local community groups. On behalf of myself and the Trustees thank you for your continuing support and help.
[Mar 29th 2005]
stars make carol concert a glittering success
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A host of stars took part in a carol concert in Christ Church Cathedral helping to raise nearly £29,000 for Emmaus Oxford. Emmaus President Terry Waite CBE was joined by Jeremy Paxman, Emma Watson (Hermione from the Harry Potter films), Niamh Cussack, BBC Director General Mark Thompson and Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire. Music was provided by Christ Church Cathedral Choir. "We are absolutely delighted at the success of the concert. We are so grateful to all those who helped to make it such a wonderful occasion. The money raised will go a long way to help us open an Emmaus Community in Oxford" said Sara Partington, project director for Emmaus Oxford. |
