THANKS to support from a local homelessness charity, a man from Oxford has turned his life around by learning how to drive.

Emmaus Oxford has helped 30-year-old Nigel Pollard to increase his chances of getting back into employment by learning the new skill.

The charity provides a home and meaningful work for 28 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion.

Mr Pollard said: ““When I found myself facing homelessness, being offered a place at Emmaus Oxford really changed my life. The people here are supporting me to figure out what I want to do.

“I see learning how to drive as the first step. I hope that once I’ve passed my test, I’ll be that bit closer to getting back on my feet for good.”

Mr Pollard has had 10 lessons so far and has been enjoying his time spent behind the wheel.

He said: “I’m really loving it. I’m not ready to do my test yet and will hopefully do my theory test soon but the main thing is that I make improvements every lesson.”

He first got into contact with Emmaus when he found a leaflet about the charity at a supported accommodation site that he was living in at the time.

Emmaus welcomed him in July last year and has since been supporting him.

People who are supported by the charity live together, help to run the charity store and have the chance to access free training and acquire new skills to help their prospects.

The learner driver is grateful for the support he receives.

He said: “Living here is so much better than the other place that I lived at. There were no opportunities for me to grow there. But Emmaus provide me with ways to learn new skills that will benefit me in the future - I’m always kept busy here.”

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Mr Pollard was made homeless when he struggled to pay his rent and before moving into housing provided by Emmaus he had been homeless on-and-off for 12 years.

He has slept rough and in shelters in towns around the county including Banbury and Bicester.

He said: “I don’t want to go back to the way I was living so I am going to stay here at Emmaus.”

Although Mr Pollard does not know exactly what he wants to do once he gets his driver’s license, he hopes it will improve his chances of getting a job.

He said: “Learning to drive is to help me in the future. I don’t have any major plans at the moment but it’s possible that I might work for a courier. I’m just glad that I’ll actually be able to drive soon.”

The charity’s store sells a range of second-hand furniture, clothing, books, bric-a-brac and more, raising funds for Emmaus.

 

Mr Pollard - along with other members who are supported by the charity - has the opportunity to volunteer at the store allowing him to gain skills.

Money made in the store goes towards paying for food, accommodation and essential items, as well as providing a weekly allowance for the charity’s members.

Mr Pollard said: “When I work at the store I help to deliver and collect donated furniture, load customers’ cars and collect donated items. It’s another way that Emmaus keeps me busy - which I enjoy.”

The homelessness charity, which was founded in Paris in 1949 and now has branches around the world,values social enterprise as it provides meaningful work for its members -who they call ‘companions’ - but also generates funding to maintain communities.

Eddie Blaze, the general manager at Emmaus Oxford, said: “We’re very proud of how far Nigel has come since he joined us. Many people who have experienced homelessness need time to gain the skills and confidence needed to re-enter the word of work.

“We’ll continue to offer Nigel a home for as long as he needs it.”

There are now more than 800 formerly homeless people living at the 29 Emmaus communities in the country.

Each one has at least one shop or social enterprise, with many running successful cafés, shops, gardening projects and removal companies.

Their research shows that 79% of people who have lived at Emmaus for a few months say that working and having something to do every day has been the most beneficial part of their experience.

Emmaus communities also deliver a significant return on investment.

Research shows that for every £1 invested in a community, there is an £11 return, with savings to the benefits bill, health services and a reduction in crime reoffending.

The charity aims to offer 1,000 places to homeless people by 2020.