Applying to the Community
Emmaus offers a safe and secure environment which supports people in dealing with the many issues surrounding homelessness enabling them to regain control of their lives by living and working alongside others. We can take applicants who present with complex problems provided the Community as a whole is able to support them.
The overriding principles in deciding admission are:-
- Whether the Community can provide a safe environment for the applicant, the Community and others.
- Whether the Community can meet the needs and offer appropriate support to an applicant.
We take people with Alcohol or Opiate addiction provided they are ready to address their problems and we work closely with Addaction to ensure the provision of appropriate support.
We always have a waiting list, so particularly for those with a release date from prison, we need at least 3-4 months notice to increase the chance of having a room available in time.
We recommend that people read The Companions' Companion (Adobe/PDF, 2.2MB) before they apply as this tells them a bit more about life in the Community and whether it would suit them or not. It also gives an idea of the sorts of rules we live by. If you want to put faces to name, please see Who's Who at Emmaus Cambridge (Adobe/PDF, 1.1MB).
There are two types of referral form for potential Companions:-
- Self Application Form (MS/Word, 152KB) for those wishing to refer themselves.
- Agency Application Form (MS/Word, 158KB) for agencies (Probation Officer, Support Worker for example) with the potential Companion's permission.
Please complete all sections of the form.
If you would like to discuss an application please talk to Emily Grainge (01223 863657) about life at Emmaus Cambridge.
Once you have completed the forms please return them to the community either by mail or via email to Emily on We will acknowledge receipt of the form and then carry out an initial assessment to decide whether it will be placed on our waiting list or not. Either way, we will let you know our decision.
We often have a long waiting list which means that you may end up waiting a couple of months.
Once a bed becomes available, we will invite you in for an interview. If you like us and we believe that we can provide the support you need, we will offer you a place.
Emmaus Cambridge does not claim funding which is dependent upon a particular outcome or which places requirements such as a move-on policy on it. Consequently, Emmaus Cambridge offers a place for as long as you are happy to comply with the basic ground rules of the community. For some people this may be a matter of weeks or months, but for others this may be for longer or even for life.
