At the UK Housing Awards in Manchester were, from left, Hopestead’s programme and policy manager Bethan Bishop, community officer Sharon Wood and head of operations Lucy Parish.
A Hopestead campaign which has helped hundreds of people to thrive in their new homes has won national recognition.
Hope at Home was named Homelessness Project of the Year at the UK Housing Awards in Manchester on November 26, ahead of nine other shortlisted projects.
Run by Hopestead – which is part of housing provider Flagship Group – Hope at Home involves supplying furniture, flooring, appliances and other items to people moving into Flagship-owned homes from a route of homelessness.
Judges described Hope at Home as “the most innovative project of the year”.
They said: “Hopestead has identified a gap in the provision that too many homeless people are being dropped into empty properties. They worked out that when you fully furnish a home, people want to stay there. It’s a vote of confidence in its residents, a recognition that they deserve to be trusted with brand new goods.”
The award for Homelessness Project of the Year, won by Hopestead (part of Flagship Group) for its campaign, Hope at Home.
Marie-Claire Delbrouque, Hopestead’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are thrilled to have been named winners in the Homelessness Project of the Year category at the UK Housing Awards. This is a monumental achievement for Hopestead and a testament to the incredible impact of Hope at Home.
“Hope at Home embodies our belief that everyone deserves a place to call home—not just a roof over their head, but a space where they can thrive and feel safe and settled.
“In the last year, Hope at Home supported 418 people, including 154 children, by providing essentials like furniture, flooring, and appliances.
“This isn’t just about providing items—it’s about making sure that the people we support are treated with dignity and given agency and choice to set up a home that they can be proud of.
“The feedback we’ve received—93% of people feeling more settled and 97% sustaining their tenancies—proves that Hope at Home is making a difference.
“I want to give heartfelt thanks to our amazing team for their dedication, and Flagship Group for funding us and giving us so much support. I’d also like to thank the individuals and families who trusted us to be part of this next chapter of their lives.
“But homelessness is a challenge that cannot be tackled alone, and this award is a reflection of the partnerships we have built. It’s going to inspire us to push even further. Because together, we can end homelessness.”
David Armstrong, Flagship Group’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Congratulations to everyone at Hopestead on winning the award for Homelessness project of the year at the UK Housing Awards. “Flagship’s vision is to solve the housing crisis, and Hopestead’s work is crucial to achieving that aim.
“Campaigns like Hope at Home are breaking the cycle of homelessness, providing the stability new tenants need to stay in their Flagship homes. This is not only fantastic for the people we support, but also makes strategic sense for us.
“The demand on Hopestead’s services is growing every year, but thankfully, so are its reach and impact. Long may that continue. Together, Hopestead and Flagship are creating lasting change and proving that everyone deserves a place to call home.”