'Companion' is the name we give to someone who lives in the Emmaus community and lives the life of a Companion and accepts its rules.

Each Companion has an individual bedroom with TV and lives in the community with all meals provided in a communal dining room and normal living expenses are covered. Each receives a weekly charitable allowance to pay for any extras.

Companions are encouraged to register with the local doctor and to visit the local dentist and optician as appropriate. Healthcare including prescriptions are usually provided free of charge.

Once accepted as a Companion a person has to sign off any benefits they may have been receiving such as income support, jobseekers allowance or incapacity benefit and to work a 40 hour week to the best of their ability within the community.

There are few rules but pets such as dogs or cats are not allowed and no alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed on the premises. Anyone resorting to violence is likely to be asked to leave the community.