Morrisons Foundation donates £7,268 to the homelessness charity Newark Emmaus Trust as part of Community Spaces Fund

A supermarket has been showing its support for a Newark-based charity which helps young people experiencing homelessness.

The Morrisons Foundation has donated £7,268 to the Newark Emmaus Trust, which will go towards renovating their outdoor area.

Jade Chapman, community champion at the Morrisons store in Newark, recommended the charity as part of the Morrisons Foundation’s ‘Community Spaces Fund’ which was established to celebrate the supermarket’s 125th Anniversary.

The fund invited 125 charities to apply for a share of £1m with grants of up to £8,000 each to enhance community spaces and facilities.

Jade said: “I’m very proud that through the Morrisons Foundation we have been able to help such a worthy cause in our community.

“The new outdoor area will be a great benefit to the charity for many years to come.

“For the past 125 years, Morrisons has always aimed to support the communities we serve and I’m delighted that Newark Emmaus Trust has received this grant which will make a huge difference to their activities.”

Nikki Burley, chief executive of the Newark Emmaus Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful for this funding from the Morrisons Foundation.

“This funding will be used to improve the outdoor space at some of our properties, not only improving safety for the single residents but also for the parents and their babies who we care for.

“We hope this will encourage them to spend more time outdoors which benefits the resident’s health and welfare.

“We offer our sincere gratitude to the Morrisons Foundation and to Jade Chapman for nominating us and for the amazing support she gives to the Newark community as community champion.”

Newark Emmaus Trust provides accommodation, support and training for homeless young people aged 16 to 25, including pregnant teenagers, young parents and their babies.

All accommodation is in Newark and includes shared houses for young people of the same gender, shared houses for young people of mixed gender, self-contained flats and houses for parents and their babies or family units.

All the accommodation is fully-furnished and ready to occupy. An agency can refer a young person for an interview and the project also takes self-referrals.

Anyone who needs help can contact the charity by visiting the Newark Emmaus Trust website or by calling 01636 612 892.