A VITAL donation of nearly £420,000 will help Rugby’s homelessness charity carry on its worthy work with some of Rugby’s most vulnerable people.
Hope4 celebrated in style following the donation from the National Lottery Community Fund Grant, which the charity says will cover some staff salaries and a portion of its utility costs – as well as allow it to employ a new mental health professional.
At a cheque presentation event, Mayor Carolyn Watson-Merret, The High Sheriff of Warwickshire David Kelham and Mark Pawsey MP joined National Lottery Community Fund Officer Hannah Asprey Smith, Hope4 Directors and staff at the charity’s Hope Centre.
Hope4 Chair Diana Mansell said the grant endorsed the charity’s important work.
She said: “We are all thrilled to have been granted this funding at a time of uncertainty for many charities. The National Lottery Community Fund is a very significant partner, and this award really acknowledges the vital and life changing work that our staff undertake.
“This is our second lottery funding which highlights their commitment to ensuring our work continues, particularly in such tough economic times which can lead many down a slippery path ending in homelessness.
“However, we still have much work to do to ensure we continue to fundraise over these four years, to meet our full costs and to be self-sustainable when the funding ends.”
Hope4’s Service Delivery Manager Adi Robinson added: “We are all relieved and very grateful to have the support of the Lottery underpinning not only our existing work, but also allowing us to expand and employ a mental health practitioner.
“Around 70 per cent of our clients struggle with their mental health, so this will be really beneficial in making sure we have an even more holistic service.”
Last year, the Hope Centre in Newbold Road helped 139 people who found themselves homeless or on the verge of becoming homeless.
The Centre is unique in Rugby, helping clients with everything from securing housing, sorting benefit claims, job applications, and health needs to tents, sleeping bags, hot showers, food, clothing, and laundry. Staff also work on bespoke plans with clients to get them back into housing – first temporary and then longer term.
It costs £500 a day to keep the Centre open.
Hope4 has launched the Hope4000 fundraising initiative, aiming to enlist 4,000 people to donate £4 a month – which would cover all the charity’s current outgoings. The scheme already has nearly 1,000 members.
Visit www.hope4.org.uk/hope4000 for more information.
