Homeless and socially vulnerable people across Salford are set to get support from one of the North West’s largest office developments. Exchange Quay, the 435,000 sq ft office development in Salford Quays, has selected Emmaus Salford as its chosen Charity Partner this year as part of its Place Activation and community engagement strategy.
In operation for 5 years, Emmaus Salford is a social enterprise providing more than just a bed for the night to people who have experienced homeless and social exclusion. Part of a wider movement, there are currently 29 Emmaus communities across the UK (300+ worldwide), providing a home and meaningful work to more than 800 formerly homeless people. The charity was established in 1949 in Paris by French Priest, George Le Gay who wanted to find a solution to homelessness after the WW2 bombings.
The Emmaus Salford residential community supports 20 companions from all walks of life who find themselves homeless or in helpless situations. Companions have to work to help themselves and can stay as long as they want, living and working with the charity. The charity looks to help them obtain the confidence and skills to live independently.
The team at Exchange Quay sought to put the spotlight on the rise of homeless people on the streets of Salford and wider Manchester and to support Emmaus Salford in a meaningful way by fundraising for local projects to help those most in need.
Funds raised and donated to the charity will be aimed at further developing existing projects run by Emmaus, including Lucie’s Pantry, a social supermarket with plans to open a small café/meeting space for customers to access. The charity also aims to launch George’s Community Fridge, an initiative which uses short dated or just out of date foodstuffs from local collaborators and funds will help with set up costs. Finally, the charity wants to take resident Companions on a weekend or week team building adventure break to a centre in North Wales to help with motivation, aspiration and self-esteem.
Exchange Quay plans to set up a series of fundraising events throughout the year to add to the coffers of the charity, including a recent Mother’s Day florist on site, where 3,000 workers were able to buy discounted flowers for their mums with 10% of sales donated to Emmaus. Teams at the development will also be taking part in the Manchester 10K to support the charity.
Simon Locke, Emmaus said:
“We are very excited to be working with the team at Exchange Quay. Support from local partners is paramount to help us continue our work with homeless and socially vulnerable people in the local area.”
Rune Randrup-Thomsen, Director at Ekistics Property Advisors LLP and responsible for Exchange Quay commented:
“Emmaus Salford is an incredible social enterprise with some outstanding initiatives planned this year to support those in need in our local communities. We are delighted to get on board with the charity and look forward to raising money to develop these schemes which will really make a difference to local people who find themselves homeless or socially excluded. Ultimately, it’s about saving lives and we hope that we and the Exchange Quay community can help with this rising issue in our region.”
Exchange Quay has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment and transformation programme in recent years by Ekistics Property Advisors LLP (Ekistics) on behalf of the owner alongside asset manager Hunters. The development offers more than 435,000 sq ft of Grade A office space over seven buildings and has recently unveiled ICE – renovating an additional 26,000 sq ft of newly refurbished high quality offices and a café lounge to enhance its existing occupier offer to create a cohesive and collaborative working community.
