Appeal for volunteers at Preston homelessness charity

By Emmaus

10 Mar 2023

Emmaus Preston Desktop

Homelessness charity Emmaus Preston is on the hunt for corporate volunteers to support its community and charity shops in the city.

The charity has a number of roles available in social media, Luton van driving and van crew, maintenance and its charity shops on Fishergate and on Brookfield Street in Preston. 

Zuleika from Preston is a volunteer fashion champion, helping at Emmaus Preston Fashion, Vintage and Retro charity shop, sorting donations and creating eye-catching displays. The final-year student spotted the opportunity at a volunteers’ fair at the University of Central Lancashire UCLan.

Zuleika said: “Shopping at Emmaus isn’t like going into a normal clothing shop. When people come in and buy something from someone here, you are also benefitting the person you’re meeting who are working in store.

“It’s not something generic you’ll buy. It’s not something that’s just in season or even a current trend, you’ll just find something you like. Shopping at an Emmaus charity shop feels more personal.

“When you’re volunteering with Emmaus, you’re actually working alongside people supported here, and seeing how your role is changing people’s lives. That is something I wanted to do and get involved with. I’m getting to know the people I’m helping.”

Emmaus Preston supports formerly homeless people by providing a stable home and meaningful work within its charity shops for as long as is needed. One of its three second hand and new charity shops in the city is Emmaus Megastore, on the site of a former B&Q on Brookfield Street, which is one of the largest charity shops in the country.

These outlets take in and sell donated furniture, clothing and household goods, and sell brand new beds, white goods, such as washing machines and bedroom furniture. It is the profits from these stores that support the charity.

The volunteer coordinator at Emmaus Preston, Lisa Lulat, said: "Volunteering helps people who are in need. You are giving something back and it also has massive benefits to yourself. It can improve your mental mood, keep you busy, help you gain new skills (which is great for your CV), help with building communication skills, interact with others, the list goes on. If you even have a few hours a week to spare, I would recommend volunteering for Emmaus Preston."

If you or your company want to volunteer for a day or your staff can provide a longer commitment, please get in touch with Lisa.

Emmaus Preston offers all volunteers an opportunity to develop their skills and gain experience for a worthwhile cause. Training is offered where possible and all volunteers receive dinner and travel expenses on the days that they volunteer.

To find out more about the roles on offer at Emmaus Preston, visit the ‘Support Us’ section at www.emmaus.org.uk/preston/ or email the charity’s Volunteer Coordinator [email protected]

About Emmaus Preston

  • Emmaus Preston supports people with experience of homelessness by providing a home, meaningful work in a social enterprise and an opportunity to regain lost self-esteem to help rebuild their lives.
  • The charity operates three shops, selling second-hand and new low-cost white goods and furniture. The largest charity retail store in the UK, Emmaus Preston Megastore on Brookfield Street, Emmaus Preston Fishergate Store and Emmaus Preston Fashion, Vintage and Retro.
  • Social enterprise is central to the Emmaus model as it provides meaningful work for companions but also generates funding to maintain communities.
  • Companions living in Emmaus communities are expected to sign off all benefits, with the exception of housing benefit, which is used to help to support the community. The rest of the funding that is needed is generated through social enterprise and fundraising.
  • There are currently 30 Emmaus communities across the country, supporting more than 850 companions (formerly homeless people) in the UK. In addition, there are three Emmaus groups, all of which are working towards setting up an Emmaus community in their area.
  • To find out more visit https://emmaus.org.uk/preston/
  • Follow the charity on Twitter: @Emmaus_Preston Facebook: @prestonemmaus Instagram: prestonemmaus TikTok @emmauspreston

Latest news

1

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration Collaboration between BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration

09 Sep 2025

2

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme Brian Moore, Lee Johnson, Anne Williamson and Andrew Leeming

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme

08 Sep 2025

3

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions Mark Adlestone And Anna Blackburn Beaverbrooks

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions

08 Sep 2025

4

Preston City Council invests £250,000 in NW Mutual NW Mutual chief exec Dave Burke and Valerie Wise and Matthew Brown from Preston City Council

Preston City Council invests £250,000 in NW Mutual

08 Sep 2025

5

Profit before tax doubles for Eric Wright Group in latest results Jeremy Hartley

Profit before tax doubles for Eric Wright Group in latest results

08 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin