Five years after opening its doors, Portslade's Emmaus Community is stronger than ever for the 42 people it has become home to. Kate Matthews reports.

A RELATIVE calm descends on the Emmaus community on a Monday morning.

It is the residents' day off at the former medieval manor and convent in Drove Road, Portslade.

Community leader Dominic Dring said: "We have most Sundays and Mondays off and it is quiet then but on other days there are normally people everywhere.

"We run a second-hand trading business so people who live here are doing a variety of work from administration, driving the vans and selling and sorting the goods to refurbishing them and working in the workshops.

"We sell electrical goods, tools, clothes, books, bric-a-brac and basically everything you need in your house. Everyone who is here is involved in some part of the process.

"We also have a cafe and gardens that are open to the public. Everyone in the community works to the best of their ability."

A typical working day starts at 8.45am when all the companions take part in a meeting.

Mr Dring said: "We have a meeting to discuss what everyone will be doing that day and what needs to get done. We share decision making, planning and problem solving."

It is all part of the community's ethos of hard work and team spirit.

Mr Dring said: "The companions have the dignity of knowing that, in being active and helpful, they have a degree of autonomy. No one can claim any state benefits when they are here. When people arrive we say close your benefit books, let's work and by working you have the dignity of standing alone.

"That includes people who have been on long-term sick benefits. It is a very positive place.

"At the same time we are providing a home and an environment that is more than accommodation.

"Home is a place where you are welcome without asking questions about what you have done in the past. This is sometimes seen as contentious because of safety issues but we have had more than 350 people live here since we opened and in that time we have had no serious injury or assault.

"As a community we also provide support and relief for other people who are in need. Our logo is Serve First The One Who Suffers Most.

"Everyone needs to be needed and most people who are here have been for many years either lost and bouncingfrom hostel to streets orincarcerated because of spending years in prison.

"Right from day one they are given the message that they have the ability to do something for somebody else. Through our work we support other organisations locally and run a number of schemes to support people who are on low incomes like offering home-start kits.

"We send aid abroad as well, for example, to people affected by leprosy in India and one of our companions has recently been to Chile to work in the Emmaus community over there."

The community breaks for communal lunch at 12.30pm before continuing with its work until around 5pm. The members eat together at 5.30pm. During the evenings the companions can stay in their own rooms, watch television in the communal lounge, take part in one of the programme of activities go to college or go out.

The community is funded by revenue from the shop, donations, fund-raising and letting out parts of its building.

Everyone who lives there gets an allowance and is given access to education and health care.

The companions are also encouraged to take a break away from the community every three months.

For many, living there has proved to be a lifeline.

Dorothea Kassner, 46, has lived at Emmaus for nearly two years.

She said: "It provides me with a bed. Before coming here I was living on my own in a room before getting ill and going into a psychiatric hospital.

"We start afresh here. Everyone is taken on based on what they are like on the day they arrive and not the past. This then brings out the best in people. We are friendly, loving and caring for each other.

"It is very much like having a family. No one person makes the rules. It is a team effort. We take turns in being in on night and weekend duties. This makes me feel more involved with the management of the community and this gives me great experience."

Friend and fellow companion Harry Dixon, 41, has been at Emmaus since September 1997.

He said: "I was on the streets of London before this. It is a home and it is work which I really enjoy doing. It is giving me hope which I have never had elsewhere.

"Living rough you get abused, kicked, spat at, all sorts. I spent 15 years on the streets. I had family problems when I was younger and my father kicked me out when I was 16. I had a bad time.

"I would still be on the streets now if it was not for Emmaus."

In order for the community to run successfully there are a set of rules in place.

There is no alcohol, no drugs, no intimidating behaviour or violence.

The Emmaus community is one of nine across Britain and 40 worldwide. The first Emmaus movement began in France after the Second World War.

To celebrate its anniversary the community is holding an open day on Saturday from 11am to 5pm.

There will be music and dancing along with a variety of fund-raising activities.

Other events include a historical tour of the site and a presentation to the local community policeman, Barry Jeffcoat, who is retiring.

The Emmaus second-hand shop is open Tuesdays to Saturdays.