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Eleven organisations share £200,000 to tackle homelessness across the region

David Powles (right) of Norfolk Community Law Service, one of the Hope Funds round 5 grant recipients, talks to Hopestead’s Lucy Parish (left) and Bethan Bishop about the organisation’s projects to be funded by the grant

David Powles (right) of Norfolk Community Law Service, one of the Hope Funds round 5 grant recipients, talks to Hopestead’s Lucy Parish (left) and Bethan Bishop about the organisation’s projects to be funded by the grant

Eleven charities and social enterprises across will share £200,000 in funding from Hopestead, the Norwich-based homelessness charity that's part of Bromford Flagship.

The grants are worth up to £20,000 each and will fund 18-month projects ranging from supporting domestic abuse survivors into safe housing to helping rough sleepers access legal advice and healthcare.

This year's funding round - the fifth in Hopestead’s Hope Funds programme -  breaks new ground. As well as bigger grants over a longer period, Hopestead is offering training bursaries so partner organisations can work with local consultants Hasler-White Inclusive Facilitation to develop their approaches and share what works.

Lucy Parish, Hopestead’s Director of Operations, said: “We were keen to not only increase the amount we could offer in grants, but also provide the opportunity for our partners to develop their skills and to improve the resilience of their organisations.

“We’ve got to be ambitious to achieve our goal of ending homelessness. We’re really excited to be working with all these organisations, to and we’re very proud to partner with Hasler-White to help make this happen.”

The 11 organisations receiving funding are:

  • Anglia Care Trust (£18,000): Suffolk-based charity offering advice, support and action to vulnerable people across the east
  • Hanseatic Union (£11,184): Helps people find employment, navigate the benefits system and learn English in King's Lynn and west Norfolk
  • King’s Lynn Night Shelter (£20,000): Provides emergency accommodation and support to those sleeping rough or in unsafe accommodation
  • Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services (£20,000): Support services for those experiencing domestic abuse in Norfolk and Suffolk
  • Norfolk Community Law Service (£15,000): Gives legal advice and services for those who cannot afford access to justice and representation
  • Opening Doors (£20,000): A user-led organisation, based in Norwich, run by and for people with learning disabilities to provide professional skills training
  • Selig (formerly known as Selig Suffolk Trust) (£20,000): Provides accommodation to those who would otherwise be experiencing homelessness
  • St Vincent de Paul (£16,159): An anti-poverty charity that offers practical support and friendship to vulnerable and isolated individuals in North Norfolk
Lucy Parish, Director of Operations at Hopestead

Lucy Parish, Director of Operations at Hopestead

  • The Ferry Project (£20,000): Based in Wisbech, provides accommodation and skills training to enable independent living
  • The Horticulture Industry Scheme CIC (£19,975): Trains people with barriers to employment in providing grounds and garden maintenance services, based in Thetford and Stowmarket.
  • The Magdalene Group (£20,000): Supports women and young people in Norwich who are affected by sexual violence, exploitation and coercion

These partner organisations will also have the opportunity to contribute their own expertise towards Hopestead’s ‘Voice of Hope’ project. This project aims to advocate and campaign for major policy change by platforming people’s lived experiences and ‘community voices’. 

David Powles, CEO of Norfolk Community Law Service, said: “We are absolutely delighted to again have the support of Hopestead to help towards the funding of our Norfolk Anti-Poverty Project. The project plays a vital role in helping clients to clear their debts and start their lives again, and is therefore integral towards helping to keep people off the streets and away from homelessness.”

Jools Ramsey-Palmer, Chief Executive of Leeway, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as a Hope Funds partner, which offers an exciting opportunity for Leeway to continue to support survivors as they take their next steps towards a new life free from abuse.

Tim Melvin, CEO and Co-founder of The Horticulture Industry Scheme, said: “THIS is very grateful to Hopestead for their support. The grant will be spent supporting the community, through employing people with a history of homelessness, and we free gardening sessions we can offer to people who would otherwise be unable to manage or maintain their gardens.”

Julia Hancock, Charity Manager at Selig, said: “We are thrilled to be funded by Hopestead again! With their support, our tenants can keep regaining confidence, rebuilding their futures, and taking steps towards a home of their own.”

Since launching in 2020, Hope Funds has provided £787,743 in funding to homelessness organisations. In total, the programme has supported more than 29,000 individuals and families across the region.