Grants of up to £15,000 will be given out in a homelessness charity’s latest funding round.
Hopestead – part of Flagship Group – has called for applications from charities and social enterprises that align with its goal of ending homelessness.
The fourth round of Hopestead’s ‘Hope Funds’ campaign will see grants given to charities in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire which aim to prevent homelessness; increase the number of homes or bed spaces for those experiencing homelessness; or reduce the impact of homelessness on children.
Marie-Claire Delbrouque, Hopestead’s chief executive, said: “This campaign is needed now more than ever with those working locally in the homelessness sector telling us their services are oversubscribed, overwhelmed and underfunded.”
Ms Delbrouque said the first three rounds of Hope Funds had supported more than 30 charities in East Anglia and helped more than 29,000 people. She said up to £150,000 in total would be awarded in round four.
She said: “We’re delighted to open another funding round and we encourage registered charities, social enterprises and community groups who are tackling homelessness to apply.”
James Barnes is funding and development manager at Fresh Start, a Norwich-based charity which supports ex-offenders find housing, employment and training.
The charity used a Hope Funds grant to employ a part-time housing advocacy worker. Mr Barnes said: “Having funding from Hopestead allowed us to provide that intensive support. It was really invaluable.”
Julia Hanock is charity manager at Selig Suffolk, which Hope Funds has also supported.
She said: “We are working on a project to end homelessness through employment, and the Hopestead funding is helping us to subsidise people’s rent while they’re working. We really enjoy working with Hopestead because I think our values align well with their values.”
Applications close on August 30, 2024. Visit www.hopestead.org/apply-for-funding or email weare@hopestead.org to find out more.
August 5, 2024