A HOMELESS charity’s dining room has been given a festive makeover by a charitable business. Residents at Emmaus in Hill End Lane, St Albans, were also cooked a Christmas meal by staff from medical insurer Groupama Healthcare when they returned with two catering students on Sunday, December 12, having visited two days before.

The staff had raised �1,000 for festive decorations and a tree, as well as a new bathroom suite which will be fitted free of charge by DK Plumbing and Heating. As well as adding some Christmas sparkle on their visit, the Groupama staff also gave the dining area a lick of paint and a new floor which was donated by Marshgate Builders.

Lisa Hall, Groupama Healthcare’s customer services manager said: “This has been a fantastic community effort and we would like to thank everyone involved, It is important to remember those less fortunate, especially at this time of year and I am delighted that Groupama has been able to play a key role in ensuring companions at Emmaus enjoy a very special Christmas.”

Emmaus Communities enable people to move on from homelessness by providing work and a home in a supportive, family environment where they work full-time collecting, renovating and reselling donated furniture through the St Albans Emmaus shops.

(Pictured above) Claims advisor Lynne Maylin and Emmaus companion Ed Stanley