Ditchingham Wellbeing & Arts Festival

Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney are hosting a mini festival to celebrate the homecoming of their staff and residents who have walked 450 miles across the country.

The event taking place on Thursday 10^th October, World Homeless Day, at Emmaus’ site at Belsey Bridge Road, Ditchingham NR35 2DT will invite guests to enjoy a range of wellness activities and workshops to boost their health and wellbeing.

Visitors will also celebrate companions Chloe, Jagger, Peter and CEO Cecile Roberts as they cross the finish line to the site after their six-week pilgrimage. The group walked from St David’s in Wales across the width of the country and will return to their home of Ditchingham during the event. The Walk of Kindness has been an epic fundraising project following the Via Beata pilgrimage to raise funds to support more people out of homelessness.

The Art of Kindness festival will run from 11am – 3pm with the walkers arriving on site between 1.00pm and 1.30pm. Visitors will have an opportunity to take part in a samba drumming workshops, hear spoken word performances, create an art piece, meet miniature donkeys and enjoy delicious autumnal food.

Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney support people who have experienced homelessness and severe trauma with a home, meaningful work opportunities, training and holistic therapies. The Walk of Kindness has been raising funds to enable the charity to grow and open a new social enterprise. The organisation plans to open a Bed & Breakfast within the 19^th century convent which once open will generate additional income to provide more people with a safe home at Emmaus.

Cecile Roberts, CEO of Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney shares “The Walk of Kindness has been a tough challenge – maybe harder than any of us thought. It will mean so much to return home and see supporters & friends cheering us on.”

“The festival takes place on World Homeless Day, and we wanted the day to focus on mental health & wellbeing – an issue that often means people struggle to upkeep tenancies and affect many who are living on the streets or insecurely housed. We would love everyone to come together and take time for their wellbeing while supporting our community.”

Those inspired by the Walk of Kindness still have time to sign-up for their own walking challenge. Emmaus is hosting a two-day 24 mile walk from Lowestoft to Ditchingham on the 9^th & 10^th October, with an overnight solidarity sleepout to raise money for vulnerable people.

 Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney’s Wellbeing Festival is free to attend, and free parking is available. Learn more about Emmaus, the festival and fundraising activities on its website: www.emmaus.org.uk/norfolk-waveney/wok