The challenge

Emmaus Lambeth is one of 29 Emmaus communities spanning the UK supporting previously homeless people to get back on their feet. Every community operates as a social enterprise, funding the cost of running a community through a number of retail activities. Since opening its first shop in November 2004, Emmaus Lambeth has grown steadily and now runs nine shops across Lambeth and Surrey. It provides accommodation for 27 ‘companions’ in its main community in West Norwood and has recently taken on a new property in Croydon which provides accommodation for another six companions.

Given the growth of the organisation – in both size and geography – there was a need to take stock in terms of how the senior team works effectively together.   

The offsite

CoCreate was asked to design and facilitate a one-day off-site for the senior management team and direct reports to:

• Build trust and relationships across the team – by understanding what matters to individuals in the work they do;
• Explore the diversity in the team – in terms of skills, experience, knowledge and approach – and how this is harnessed;
• Recognise the strengths of the team – what enables the team to do their best work – and importantly, what gets in the way;
• Define the culture this team aspires to – what’s great about the current environment and what could be improved.