Hertfordshire homeless charity receives £250,000 donation from local fragrance house
CPL Aromas previously supported the charity, with ever-increasing donations
The Hertfordshire branch of the homeless charity Emmaus has received a £250,000 donation from international fragrance house CPL Aromas, headquartered in Bishop’s Stortford.
The donation is the latest in a growing partnership between the two organisations and will be split equally between Emmaus Hertfordshire and Emmaus UK.
Emmaus Hertfordshire, which supports people who have experienced homelessness, will use its £125,000 share to invest in its support team and improve facilities at its community in Crosby Close, St Albans.
The funding will also cover repairs to the charity’s community minibus and a full renovation of laundry facilities.
Duncan Lewis, Chief Executive of Emmaus Hertfordshire, said: "A massive thank you to CPL Aromas for this incredible ongoing support which will enable us to make a huge difference to the levels of support that we are able to offer our companions.
"It will also enable us to fund vital repairs to our community minibus and completely renovate the dated and inadequate laundry facilities in our community, all of which will make a huge difference to the day-to-day lives of our companions.
"This latest donation is a critical step toward addressing the growing homelessness crisis and delivering tangible, life-changing support to vulnerable members of our community. We cannot thank CPL Aromas enough for their generosity, time and investment in our charity and the people we support."
CPL Aromas, the world’s largest fragrance-only fragrance house, has supported Emmaus since 2023. The company donated £50,000 that year, which was followed by a £100,000 donation in 2024. This year’s £250,000 contribution more than doubles the previous amount.
Chris Pickthall, Chief Executive Officer of CPL Aromas, and Nick Pickthall, Chief Operating Officer, said in a joint statement: "We are delighted to support Emmaus and help them in their work to take the homeless off the streets, give them work and accommodation, and help them get their lives back on track."
Beyond financial donations, CPL Aromas has also collaborated with Emmaus on a range of initiatives.
n October 2023, the company’s staff hosted a fragrance workshop for companions, staff and volunteers, where participants created shower gels using their preferred scents.
Emmaus community members have also participated in CPL’s Global Marketing and Development Seminars in 2024 and 2025, contributing to mosaic-making workshops and speaking in Q&A sessions about their experiences of homelessness.
These activities highlighted how CPL’s support has helped them to rebuild their lives.
The partnership has included fundraising efforts, such as CPL’s participation in the St Albans Sleepout in November 2024.
More recently, one Emmaus companion, Adie, completed a three-month work experience placement at CPL’s Bishop’s Stortford headquarters, working three days a week and gaining industry experience.
Emmaus supports people who have experienced homelessness by providing a home, tailored support, and opportunities to gain skills and work experience through social enterprises such as charity shops, workshops, and a house clearance service.
The Emmaus Hertfordshire community supports up to 39 companions, offering them stable accommodation and individual support aimed at helping them rebuild their confidence and independence.
Charlotte Talbott, Chief Executive of Emmaus UK, said: "This third donation from CPL Aromas is hugely appreciated, as it will allow both Emmaus UK and Emmaus Hertfordshire to develop key projects where we have identified a real need.
"We will be able to provide more specialist support, better opportunities, and more positive outcomes for companions. We’re extremely grateful for their ongoing support."
Emmaus currently operates 29 communities across the UK, supporting more than 850 people who have experienced homelessness.