Charity Emmaus North Staffs – who each year help to support around 850 households struggling with furniture poverty – are hoping to add another accolade to their cabinet after being nominated in a prestigious awards celebration.
The charity is entered for the ‘Business in the Community Award’ in the Staffordshire University Business Awards – which aim to celebrate all sectors including apprentices to entrepreneurs, plus start-ups and larger organisations.
John Webbe, Executive Lead for the charity, said: “We are very committed to supporting our local communities and businesses and it is a great honour to be included in the nominations for the Staffordshire University Business Awards – which sound amazing.
“In the last 12 months Emmaus North Staffs has opened a brand new furniture and household emporium plus a new store in the Potteries Centre – which all helps us to continue to support local families all year round.
“We have 11 members of staff, and 15 volunteers and we love to be able to provide opportunities in the local. Our skills workshops which can also help with so many benefits for anyone who has been long-term unemployed and looking for support to develop themselves for the future.”
The Staffordshire University Awards included several categories including Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Business Growth. Entries are now closed and an awards evening is to take place on Thursday 14 September, in the university’s Catalyst Building.
Professor Martin Jones, Vice Chancellor of Staffordshire University, said about the business awards: “The Staffordshire University Business Awards reinforces our commitment to being a Civic University and a ‘Catalyst for Change’ not only for our own students and staff but for the communities within which we are based.”
Emmaus North Staffs also have regular on going campaigns including Beds For Kids which has provided scores of children throughout the region with brand new beds and mattresses.
John says: “We aim to tackle furniture poverty as much as we can and our Beds For Kids campaign enables us to supply brand new bed kits following the generous donations we receive. Sleep deprivation can have such a detrimental impact on a child which can lead to all sorts of issues including missing education and even depression and we want to help to prevent that from happening.”
Future plans are already in place for Emmaus North Staffs who are now actively looking to create a residential community in the local area for those who have experienced homelessness.
The accommodation will provide homes, work experience and daily support as well as funded training to help people rebuild their lives and will be the first of its kind in the county.
For more details about the Staffordshire University Business Awards visit here – https://www.staffsbizawards.co.uk/business-in-the-community-award/
Visit Emmaus North Staffs here https://emmaus.org.uk/north-staffs/
