Independent homelessness charity Emmanuel House Support Centre’s 2020-2021 Winter Appeal has raised over £138,000, marking the most successful appeal in the Nottingham charity’s 45-year history.
Emmanuel House, which has a support centre on Goose Gate in Hockley and is operating a Night Shelter at a local hotel, was anticipating a potential income shortfall of £70,000 in 2020 due to the pandemic and the cancellation of many fundraising events. Thanks to the generosity of more than 1,000 people, the appeal raised £138,000 between November and January.
Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House, said: “We want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to the appeal. The donations will help us support those who are homeless, rough sleeping, in crisis or at risk of homelessness in Nottingham. All that we do at Emmanuel House would not be possible without the support of the wider community.”
The charity’s Wellbeing Support Team, which for the past three years has been funded through the National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities Programme, will now be guaranteed for a further twelve months due to the success of the Winter Appeal. The service works with people with multiple needs who are homeless or living in unsuitable accommodation. The team supports people to access a range of health and wellbeing services and support agencies, such as GPs, drug and alcohol services, statutory mental health services and social inclusion activities.
Alongside this provision, Emmanuel House will also be sustaining its other services and developing them as the Covid-19 environment allows.
The ‘You Can Make The Difference’ campaign involved a hard-hitting short film about homelessness, artwork across city centre buses and trams and a 18-metre mural on the front of the centre.
Denis added: “Every single year we value and appreciate our supporters but their efforts have been particularly sterling this winter. The creativity of our fundraisers over the winter has been phenomenal. We’ve seen supporters selling excess bar stock and donating the profits, sewing face masks, embarking on everyday running challenges, hosting abstract art competitions and organising designer dressing gown raffles. We greatly appreciate the efforts of everyone who has supported us.”
Emmanuel House Open Days
To say thank you and show new supporters how their contribution helps to run the charity’s vital services, Emmanuel House will be hosting two open days on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th September. The days will provide:
- An opportunity to show new supporters around the centre.
- A showcase of the new ‘You Can Make The Difference’ mural, designed by local artist Elroy The Artist.
- An opportunity to speak to Emmanuel House staff members about their work.
- An opportunity to speak to Emmanuel House beneficiaries about their lived experiences of homelessness and how Emmanuel House has supported them.
To register your interest in the open day or for any enquiries, please contact Rosie Needham-Smith, Marketing and Fundraising Officer, on 07908329074 or [email protected].