A day in the life….of Emma

In the run up to World Homeless Day on 10 October, we’re highlighting lots of ways you – and decision makers locally and nationally – can help people who are experiencing homelessness. 

We’re also sharing more about the support we offer individuals and families in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

Here, Emma from our Red Door team, tells us what a typical day looks like for her… 

My name is Emma and I’m a project worker at the Red Door centre in Bury. I’ve worked at Red Door for just over a year now – I started in June 2025.

I work in the centre with my colleagues and the kind volunteers.  I support the local people, and my role includes coordinating all health services within the area that may be of benefit to all that attend Red Door, such as dentists, GPs, referrals to Achieve, and more.

What do you do each day in your role?

Daily, I ensure that I greet people as they enter the centre, identifying those who may need support as soon as they arrive.  It’s important to make people feel safe and that they know they are supported within the centre, being greeted with a friendly face.

We provide meals and drinks, and ensure people have access to all services they require, including referrals, registration with a GP, dentist, drug and alcohol services and any other healthcare needs.  I also support with making calls for prescriptions, making appointments with healthcare providers and I help with signposting people to relevant services for debt, housing issues, and anything that is disclosed
to me that I can support with.

I also make connections with other organisations and services, asking them to collaborate with us and attend Red Door – this can include a wide range of services, from sessions on drug overdoses and Hepatitis C testing, to dentistry, smoking cessation, tenancy support and many more.

I also run sessions with activities to enhance wellbeing, and I run health promotions too.  We do quizzes on health, make self-care boxes, provide health information and so on.  We also provide physical activities such as bowls, badminton and a walking group, and run board game sessions and competitions with people too.

What are you proud of?

I’m proud to be a listening ear for people and know that it’s important to provide a safe space for them to talk with me so I can support them with any issues that may arise.

All of this provides an improved sense of health and wellbeing, and treats people with dignity and hope.  They leave Red Door feeling supported and better about their day.

What would surprise people about what you do?

I think what will surprise people most about what I do is the whole, rounded support I give.  The centre is not just about providing meals, and showers etc.  It’s about providing a human approach to all people, and ensuring everyone has the same choices that we do.  We are always striving to provide more for people.  I hope my colleagues would say that I am proactive, caring and a team player.  I have the best
interests of people at heart and will go above and beyond when needed.

I enjoy supporting people and giving people a safe environment which is built on trust – building professional relationships for those who may have no one outside, and being able to support them to move lives on in a positive way.  Caritas gives me this opportunity to do so, and are very supportive of my ideas and decisions.

Do you have any memories from your work that particularly stand out?

I have so many great memories at Red Door.  I really enjoy doing sessions and seeing how much people enjoy them.  We went to the local field and park and made kites and had a packed lunch together.  People loved it.  They designed their kite and went to the top of the hills and were flying them, all laughing and enjoying themselves.  One person said: “I’ve never flown a kite, and it was brilliant.”  We then all sat together on the grass and ate lunch.  These are memories people won’t forget.

I also remember supporting a person who was in temporary accommodation.  He was feeling low as he wanted to work and was unable to due to the costs of temporary accommodation.  I talked to him about a service which helps people find work and settles them with a host in their home.  The outcome is that the person is able to have permanent employment, save money and then look for their own accommodation too.  This has been such a success story.  The person has now been employed for many months, lives with a host and has a great relationship with them, and has more stable finances and a routine.  I’m very proud of the person and proud that I’ve been able to help them to move on in life.

What are your hopes for the future?

In the future I hope we are able to end homelessness.  I feel very proud to be working for Caritas.  The Red Door centre provides amazing support to those who are vulnerable and needing a human touch.  Caritas is so supportive as a charity and has best interests of people at heart.

Read more about our campaign to see an end to homelessness and find out ways you can get involved.