Humanitarian worker and author Terry Waite will be the guest in an online talk hosted by the charity Emmaus Cornwall.

In 1987, as the Church of England’s special envoy, Terry went to Beirut to negotiate the release of a broadcast journalist that had been kidnapped by jihadi terrorists. Terry was taken hostage as well, and held in solitary confinement for almost five years. Both men were released in 1991, 30 years ago this November.

Since his release, Terry has dedicated himself to writing, lecturing and humanitarian causes. He founded Hostage International, a charity to help captives and their families, is a patron of several organisations, and a bestselling author.

Terry is also president of Emmaus UK, whose communities provide a unique residential setting for people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless. There are currently 29 established Emmaus communities across the UK, each providing a home for as long as it is needed, work experience in a social enterprise, daily support and funded training.

The organisation now plans to establish its 30th community in Cornwall, and a fundraising talk with author Raynor Winn earlier this year raised £4,600, with people from all over the world attending the Zoom webinar.

Raynor’s highly acclaimed memoir, The Salt Path, followed her and husband Moth on their journey around the South West Costal Path after being made homeless in their fifties; its sequel, The Wild Silence, explores the harsh realities of returning to mainstream life.

The hour-long event saw Raynor, a new trustee of Emmaus, in conversation with fellow Sunday Times bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink. Attendees, who came from all over the UK, Europe, the United States and Canada, also participated in a Q&A session with the author, and described the event as ‘inspiring’ and ‘a tonic’.

Emmaus Cornwall aims to raise £1million over the next few years to create the first Emmaus community in the county to support people who have been homeless.

Next in the event series hosted by Emmaus Cornwall will be Terry Waite in conversation with Cathy Rentzenbrink, on Thursday March 11 at 7pm.

Following the same discussion and Q&A format as the charity’s first event, Terry will be sharing his own experiences of captivity in light of recent national and global lockdowns, as well as discussing his versatility as an author, and the organisations he supports.

Tickets cost £10. To book your place, visit www.tickettailor.com/events/emmauscornwall