Emmaus Mossley Community

A Place Where the Spirit of Community Lives

How can one place change your perception of community, dignity, and what it means to live for others?

I’ve lived in Manchester for thirteen years (written in 2024), and I thought I knew most of the local charities, non-profits, and community projects. But I had no idea about this hidden gem. During a cohousing event, someone mentioned the Emmaus Mossley community, and just a few days later, I decided to visit.

It was a rainy, typically English day. Gloomy and dark. But just a few minutes after arriving, my mood completely shifted. Music playing in the car park, smiling people enjoying themselves despite the downpour. When I asked for directions, everyone was happy to help. Kindness was in the air.

Emmaus is based in a former factory. The lower two floors serve as a second-hand shop, and the upper floors offer accommodation and community space for the members, former homeless individuals who have been given a second chance here.

But what struck me the most wasn’t the architecture or the items for sale. It was the spirit of community that permeated everything.

I’m not someone who usually enjoys socialising or spending hours chatting with others, but here I couldn’t resist. I bought some cakes, sat down at a table, and felt like talking to everyone who walked by. And people do come here to talk and connect.

I appreciated the cleanliness that prevailed everywhere - in the kitchen area as well as in the toilets. The vibrant flow of positive energy was enhanced by the high number of visitors and shoppers. As I learned, even though the shop has large premises, the stock changes quickly, which keeps the place buzzing. Visitors keep coming back.

The design of the space had a completely different energy than, say, IKEA, which I visited right after. IKEA is beautifully designed, but cold. Everything there is functional, but without soul. Emmaus was the exact opposite. A place where things come back to life, and where people find new meaning, too.

What I loved about the design in Emmaus was how the furniture for sale was functionally arranged in different zones on the first floor, and was actually being used. It wasn’t just for display. For example, there was a library area with books and a set of chairs and armchairs you could either buy or simply sit in and read. It’s not just a warehouse for used furniture - everything still serves a purpose, lives on, and waits for the right person to take it home.

I was thrilled. I started taking photos and diving into the story of this organisation. And that touched me even more deeply.

From Paris to the World

Emmaus was founded in 1949 in Paris by a Catholic priest, Abbé Pierre — a man of deep compassion and courageous action. Since then, the movement has spread to over 40 countries. Today, it encompasses hundreds of communities that help homeless people through work, belonging, and the restoration of dignity.

The core idea is simple: work is the path to self-sufficiency, and community is the environment where a person can re-anchor their life. It’s not about one-time aid but about systemic change.

Emmaus is not only involved in the sale and recycling of second-hand goods but also runs social and educational projects. Most importantly, it operates on principles of solidarity, sustainability, and deep human respect.

And that transforms lives and souls. You can see it clearly on people’s faces.

A Personal Testimony

When I fell ill with cancer in the past, I thought I would finally leave this world. I was utterly exhausted from endless struggles and the fight for survival, alone with my children. I didn’t want to live anymore. But God saw it differently. He miraculously healed me. And He showed me that I still had work to do. Because when those who are supposed to help, often leaders of churches, remain silent or retreat into comfort, someone else has to step up.

Not because they’re perfect. But because they have compassion. Because they know what it’s like to hit rock bottom. And those are exactly the people God chooses.

Abbé Pierre used the same strategy that God used with me.

He chose to help someone who no longer wanted to live — someone who saw no further point in their hard life. And with this person, he launched the whole organisation.

Successfully. And he repeated this again and again, going to universities to invite young people who were in personal crises, often ending their lives in suicide. Abbé Pierre offered them a purpose — and changed not only their lives but also the lives of many others who were later helped by these saved and awakened young people.

Together, they built something that changed thousands of lives.

This is not a romantic tale. This is reality. And even today, it is possible to start again.

Not as a charity handing out alms, but as a movement that restores dignity.

A Challenge

Maybe there’s someone around you who needs a second chance. Maybe you know what it’s like to be on the edge. And maybe God is calling you to help another person stand back on their feet, not with words, but with action.

Emmaus Mossley reminded me what true community means. A place where burdens are shared. A place where both things and people are given new life.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

I left Emmaus Mossley in a beautiful, positive mood, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit, where I hope to learn more about their community living model. And of course, I’ll bring you another report.

And What Do YOU Think?