A BUILDING society has donated £5,000 to a homeless charity providing work to people who used to live on the streets.

Saffron Building Society donated the cash to Emmaus Colchester, which provides a home and work for up to 33 companions.

The donation is being used to part fund a new community development specialist to work alongside companions and volunteers to provide on the job training and support.

Denise King, CEO at Emmaus Colchester, said: “We’re delighted to have gained the backing of Saffron Building Society to help fund a new role at Emmaus Colchester.

“The post will benefit companions by increasing their confidence and skills in the workplace and identifying skills training, so the social enterprise benefits as a result.”

Claire Hunnable, Saffron Building Society’s community business partner, met the Emmaus team and saw first-hand how essential the service is.

She said: “The work they are doing to improve the lives of those who were once homeless, giving them the confidence and opportunity for the future is truly inspiring.

“We are absolutely delighted that monies from our community fund can be used in this way.”

Emmaus has a community house in Magdalen Street, Colchester, with 37 beds and three or four other properties it rents.

The charity has four shops in Colchester, its biggest being its works in Osborne Street where companions upcycle furniture, a café and charity shops in Crouch Street and Colchester High Street.