The Year 8 Girl Scouts were honoured to be able to visit the charity “Emmaus”. Emmaus supports adults who are homeless, vulnerably housed or at risk. Emmaus communities offer a home for as long as it is needed, giving each person the stability and security to rebuild their life after experiencing homelessness. The Girl Scouts had a real insight into stories of homelessness from the various “companions” who reside at the Emmaus Residence in Preston.
Some Girl Scouts visited the residence and some Girl Scouts visited the Emmaus charity shop. Emmaus has many charity shops and social enterprises situated right round the UK and key to the success of Emmaus communities. It was a great experience for the Girl Scouts to volunteer at the fashion & vintage store on the high street. They worked alongside the ‘companions’, sorting through donated clothes, steaming the clothing, pricing the items up in readiness for selling on the shop floor. Some Girl Scouts got busy organising the shop floor and making it look presentable and aesthetic while one Girl Scout made the 1st sale of the day! A truly insightful and humbling experience. EagleEye, the Group Scout Leader was very proud of the Girl Scouts who acted maturely in the fashion store as well communicate with others in a respectful and humane manner. We hope we can continue to make a difference in our local community.
The volunteering that the Girl Scouts undertook has been immensely valuiable especially as they are also studying the story “stone cold” in their English lessons. Reading about a story of a young man experiencing homelessless and then to be able to volunteer alongside former homeless people has been a fantastic and enriching first-hand experience for the Girl Scouts. The most empowering lesson the Girl Scouts walked away with is – kindness is free, don’t walk past ignoring someone who is homeless, a simple hello could change someone’s day.
