Four walkers who experienced homelessness are walking a 450-mile fundraising pilgrimage, from St David’s in Wales back to Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney based in Ditchingham. Here, two of them explain why
Residents from homelessness Charity, Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney are on a six-week walk across the width of the country. The group started walking on Monday August 26th from St David’s, Wales and, yesterday, spend their last day walking across the Welsh countryside. Chloe, Carlton, Jagger & Peter, alongside Emmaus’ CEO, Cecile Roberts are taking on this extraordinary journey, The Walk of Kindness, to support more people out of homelessness.
The pilgrimage, following the path of the newly formed Via Beata, spans the widest part of the country and totals approximately 450 miles. The team are walking until they return home to Ditchingham, South Norfolk on Thursday 10th October.
Chloe, Carlton, Jagger & Peter have all received support from Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney and now want to help others who are experiencing homelessness to have a safe home at Emmaus.
Emmaus communities across the UK provide more than just a bed for the night; they offer a reason to get out of it in the morning. The charity offers residents, known to the organisation as companions, with a home and community for as long as needed. Companions also receive therapeutic support, work, and training opportunities to help re-build their confidence, self-esteem, and independence.
Chloe, a companion, and a member of the walking team shares: ‘Walking really helps my mental health. I feel a lot calmer when I walk. I am loving it so far; we’ve all come together as a team well. Seeing donations come in as we’re walking is so motivational it reminds us all of why we’re doing this!
Chloe was an alcoholic from the age of 11 and she came to Emmaus for support 3 years ago. She continues: ‘Before Emmaus, I wasn’t living. I was just existing. I started drinking and it all spiralled from there. I slept in my car for four months. I have a home now, a bed and a family.’
Jagger, also a companion and part of the Walk of Kindness team shares: ‘I’ve been living on the streets, on and off since I was about 18 – I’m 61 now. I’ve taken all my life: from food banks, charities, and night shelters, and I want to give something back – that’s why I’m on the Walk of Kindness.’
The Walk of Kindness comes at a time when rough sleeping figures are continually increasing, an estimated 3,898 people slept rough in 2023, an annual increase of 27% – the largest rise since 2015 (Gov.UK, Feb 2024). Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney are experiencing increased demand for their services with more and more people struggling without a place to call home.
To enable the charity to grow and support more people, it plans to open a new social enterprise Bed & Breakfast within the 19th century convent site where the charity is based. Once open, the annual income from one B&B room will provide someone who has experienced homelessness with a home and support package in Emmaus for a whole year.
Cecile Roberts, CEO of Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, is also taking on the Walk of Kindness and says: ‘So far, it’s been a lot tougher than any of us have expected. The terrain is very hilly in the first few weeks so a 10-mile walk is taking us a lot longer than it normally would.
‘However, it’s feels really special to be doing this journey and walking day in and day out to create change for people. Every pound that gets donated will help people who are experiencing loneliness, isolation and mental health issues.’
Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney are inviting supporters to sponsor each mile of the 450-mile journey, ranging from 1p,10p £1, £10 or £100 per mile.
Find out more about the Walk of Kindness and sign-up to a fundraising challenge on Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney’s website: emmaus.org.uk/norfolk-waveney
Featured images – supplied
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