A VOLUNTEER who has supported the homeless for a decade was given a surprise at a charity event.

Dedicated Emmaus volunteer Gladys Morgan opened the refurbished Emmaus Home shop in Colchester High Street.

After ten years of service, Gladys was presented with a bespoke bench, made by the companions at Emmaus Colchester.

Ellie Vlavianou, from the social housing organisation L&Q, then presented Gladys with a bouquet and a £4,000 donation to the charity.

Gladys is the charity’s longest serving volunteer and works two days a week sorting out donated clothing.

She said: “I’ve never done anything like opening a shop before and my grandchildren are over the moon.

“My own son had a drink problem when he was a teenager, so from personal experience I’m glad there is an organisation like Emmaus that can help our community.

“It’s been a wonderful honour and I feel emotional. Much of the time I am sorting clothing and am out of sight, so it’s been wonderful to have this surprise and receive the generous donation too.”

The £4,000 donation from L&Q will be used to fund the companions’ uniform and the organisation has pledged its continued support for the charity.

The opening event was celebrated with staff, companions, trustees and volunteers from Emmaus Colchester, along with pupils from Lexden Springs School. Emmaus Colchester gained planning permission to convert the space above the shop into six bedrooms for companions who were previously homeless.

Denise King, chief executive officer at Emmaus Colchester, said: “All our companions, trustees and volunteers have been involved

in the process and our companions have completed the work.

“It’s helped improve their skills and given them confidence to move on, which is what we do at Emmaus.

“After the success of our New Life Shop and Café in Crouch Street, we’ve taken the opportunity to create a stronger identity for our Home Shop.”

The new look shop takes on an industrial theme. It will also be based on a pop-up concept with four areas which will change over time.

Denise said: “We’re starting with a clothing area with changing rooms, a vinyl area with space to play records, and two further sections selling electrical items and small furniture.

“We’re particularly proud on the new frontage design, and hope we’ll have lots of new customers coming along to support our work with those who have previously experienced homelessness.”

All shop materials where possible were reused or recycled.