Emmaus Dover celebrates 20 years with Terry Waite

Tickets are now on sale for Emmaus Dover's twentieth anniversary dinner and dance, with live music and a guest appearance from Terry Waite CBE.

On Saturday 19 September, from 7pm until late, Emmaus Dover will host a three course dinner at the Bluebirds Function Centre, with live music from Left of the Dial, a raffle and a guest appearance from Terry Waite, President of Emmuas. Emmaus Dover first opened its doors to the homeless in September 1995 and, since then, it has helped support 949 companions (formerly homeless people), providing them with a stable home and meaningful work to help rebuild their lives.

Debra Stevenson, Community Manager at Emmaus Dover, said: "It's a privilege to celebrate our twentieth anniversary with the local community. It is their support which has allowed us to remain a part of Dover for so many years, meaning hundreds of formerly homeless people have had the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

"For 20 years, we have been able to provide them with the training, experience and stable environment they need in order to progress and we hope to continue to do so in the future."

Paul Hand has been a companion with Emmaus Dover for five and a half years. He was street homeless for 18 months, until finding the support he needed from Emmaus. He said: "Since arriving at Emmaus I have got my self-respect back. The whole premise of Emmaus, where we are all equal, is fantastic. To be able to get up in the morning and know I have work to go to has given me a positive outlook on life, whereas living on the streets I was going nowhere."

Tickets can now be bought from Emmaus Dover at the cost of £25, which provides entry to the event and a three course dinner. To buy your ticket, call 01304 204550 or visit Emmaus Dover at Archcliffe Fort, Archcliffe Road in Dover. The event will take place at the Bluebirds Function centre, 137 Snargate Street, Dover, CT17 9DA.

Emmaus Dover is one of 25 communities currently in the UK. Emmaus supports formerly homeless people by providing them with a stable home and meaningful work within its social enterprises. Their community and main shop is located at Archcliffe Fort, Archcliffe Road, Dover and their second shop is at 47 Northgate in Canterbury. To find out more about Emmaus Dover, visit their website at www.emmaus.org.uk/dover.