Nearly 100,000 households have been made homeless since the start of the pandemic, with tens of thousands more being threatened with the prospect of losing their home, despite the government pledges to protect tenants and prevent evictions.

Homelessness was already a rising issue in the UK, with rough sleeping increasing by 141% between 2010 and 2019. This figure does not even cater for the ‘hidden homeless’, such as sofa-surfers and people living in squats or other insecure accommodation.

However, the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has greatly exacerbated the issue.

Figures have shown that calls from young people to homeless charities increased by about a third during the pandemic as lockdowns had led to an increase in family breakdowns.

Accompanied by rising unemployment levels and mental health struggles, these family breakdowns escalated homelessness levels and worsened the enormous struggle that young people were already facing to access the emergency support they need.

Emmaus Oxford were forced into a 15-week closure, heavily impacting the valuable income during the course of this period.

Emmaus Oxford operates through restoring confidence and self-respect to its residents (known as ‘companions’). Companions take responsibility for keeping their community going and work hard to support themselves and others. They work 40 hours a week in the charity’s social enterprise and sign off all benefits (except for housing benefits).

Emmaus is not about giving handouts; it’s about providing people with the tools to help themselves. This approach has been proven to produce long-term, sustainable results. For the many people who have been stuck in a cycle of homelessness, Emmaus provides the space and support they need to take stock and make positive changes for the future.

We value the great work of Emmaus in helping to empower people during some of the most difficult periods of their life, so they can rebuild themselves and rebuild their home.

We have teamed up with Emmaus Oxford for May 2021 to help them as they reopen their doors again.

We will donate 10% of the service proceeds of our Will writing service to this JustGiving page – all you need to do is quote “CFF2021” when you ask us to write your Will, or simply mention the “Covid Fightback Fund” and leave a legacy of your choice to Emmaus Oxford. 

You can also get involved by donating as much as you like to this page to help us reach our target to help Emmaus continue their great work and fightback from the impact of the coronavirus.

Emmaus operates so well because so many generous people donate old or unused furniture and goods which help to create homes. 

You can leave your furniture in your Will to Emmaus, so you can help to house future generations.

The lockdowns have emphasised the importance of family and home.

Home is not a place; it’s a feeling. Let those without, know how you feel.