Queen Camilla today spoke of the ‘brilliant’ work of a charity which helps homeless men and women, many of whom have experienced deep personal trauma, turn their lives around.
Her Majesty, 79, also brought a selection of ‘handpicked’ books for the library at Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney, which offers accommodation, therapy and practical work experience on the site of a former nunnery, which is now the first in the UK to offer separate accommodation and services for nine women.
In their residential centre, she spoke to three of the current ‘companions’, one of whom shared a heartbreaking tale of how her children were taken into care when she became a victim of domestic violence, leaving her to turn to alcohol abuse.
The woman – who cannot be named – has been at the centre for 11 months and told the Queen that it had helped her to ‘get sober’ and ‘see my kids as well’.
Camilla, who has been patron of Emmaus UK for 20 years, asked her how it had helped her.
‘Just being part of something, making friends,’ she said.
‘Being part of a community?’ Camilla offered. ‘And having people who understand your situation? So you rely on each other.
‘I don’t think there’s anywhere like it.’
Queen Camilla today visited the ‘brilliant’ Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney, which offers accommodation, therapy and practical work experience to homeless men and women
Another young girl told her she had been the victim of sexual violence growing up and found it difficult to navigate life and hold down a job.
‘So I joined the women’s project and have really changed as a person,’ she said.
‘It was a huge decision to come here. In a lot of ways, it saved my life,’ the girl told the Queen.
‘Well, it’s lucky to hear that this is working so well,’ Camilla said.
‘It’s lovely to hear these success stories. And it’s nice that you’ve got every generation here. It’s just brilliant.’
She also met with Melanie (using her first name only), another current companion, who told her in a speech: ‘We know that you are a champion of women’s causes, and it was especially heartwarming for us that you were able to spend time talking to women in our women’s project. I was part of that last year; it was life-changing.
‘For women who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual violence to be seen, heard and empowered means the world, and we are so grateful that you could hear our stories.
‘To have your continued support nationally means that people who have experienced homelessness, insecure housing and significant associated trauma are elevated and validated and I can say that from my own personal experience.’
The Queen beamed and told Melanie that she was ‘so impressed’ with the community there – which has shops selling second-hand and recycled goods as well as a cafe and even its own forge – and hoped it would be rolled out nationally.
Her Majesty was greeted by Sir Terry Waite, the human rights activist and former hostage who is president of Emmaus UK
After meeting staff and supporters, she toured the women’s centre before visiting a new shop offering stunning handbags and lamps made from recycled fabrics by some of the companions
The Queen wore a brilliant blue shirt dress with an eye-catching brooch for today’s visit
In their residential centre, she spoke to three of the current ‘companions’ at the charity in Bungay, Norfolk
She told the shaking woman that she was a ‘perfect example’ of what it can do for people, enabling her to stand up and give a speech with ‘perfect confidence’
Melanie, who curtseyed with a look of utter astonishment on her face at the compliment, said afterwards that she was ‘overwhelmed’ at the Queen’s words.
On arriving at the centre, Her Majesty, wearing a brilliant blue shirt dress with an eye-catching brooch, was greeted by Sir Terry Waite, the human rights activist and former hostage who is president of Emmaus UK.
After meeting staff and supporters, she toured the women’s centre before visiting a new shop offering stunning handbags and lamps made from recycled fabrics by some of the companions.
‘There are bargains everywhere,’ she smiled.
‘What beautiful things you have, and you are learning new skills that can take you elsewhere. Brilliant. You could go into design, creative arts, anything.‘
Before she left, she cut a red ribbon to celebrate the opening.
In the nun’s old library, she visited a new ‘Book Nook’ – the first in conjunction with her own Queen’s Reading Room charity – which has been specially curated by champions with a passion for reading.
The cosy spot will enable residents to engage with literature.
Camilla, 79, was given a handpicked posy by a lady who has been involved in setting up the area, peppering her with questions about her favourite books.
‘It’s a perfect spot,’ she said.
She also gave the woman armfuls of books she had chosen for them to add to their library and said, ‘It’s got a fantastic feel to it. These are books I’ve read that I thought you might like. There’s a bit of everything; there are some really good ones here. Handpicked. You’ll be able to add these to the bookshelves.
‘I love getting everyone reading and hope it brings them as much enjoyment as it brings me. When you get the bug! There are a lot of comfortable chairs to sit on. It’s perfect. You are the first Emmaus to do it. It’s very exciting to have you as the first one. Let me know how you get on with those books. Here’s to many more.’
Camilla standing before a table laden with pastries during her visit to the Norfolk charity
The Queen was ‘so impressed’ with the community there – which has shops selling second-hand and recycled goods as well as a cafe and even its own forge – and hoped it would be rolled out nationally
In the forge, she watched as they prepared copper to make bowls which will be sold in their on-site charity shop and social enterprise as well as unveiling a plaque marking 20 years of her patronage and attending a celebratory reception.
Afterwards, the Norfolk branch’s chief executive, Cecile Roberts, said of the 52-room community: ‘When I first came into post eight years ago, there were no women in the community. And it didn’t take much research to understand that women needed separate facilities. So we created a small women’s wing of just a three-bed wing, which filled up immediately once we opened it.
‘Then we came to realise that many of the women who came through our services had experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence, and we wanted to do something really meaningful.
‘So we collaborated with women with lived experience and co-designed a project, which has intensive therapeutic intervention over the period of a year. And so we can provide nine women with that opportunity every year.’
She said of the Queen’s visit: ’I think you can probably see from everybody’s faces that we’re just incredibly proud [of the Queen’s visit]. It just meant the world, it was fantastic for all of us here, and particularly for the women in the women’s project.
‘It was lovely to see those women who have been enabled, through that therapeutic intervention, to speak so clearly, and in such an empowered way, with Her Majesty. That was really lovely to see. I felt particularly proud.
‘The women were very open with her as well. She’s got such an easy presence, so it was lovely to see.
‘She’s been our royal patron for 20 years in the UK. And for her to come here, to mark that occasion has been such an honour.’
