At Hopestead, we believe that everyone deserves a place to call home. Through Hope Funds, we provide financial support to charities working to prevent homelessness, ensuring they have the resources to reach more people, offer life-changing support, and create lasting impact.
Hope Funds has run four funding rounds since 2021, with Round 3 concluding in late 2024. This round was our most ambitious yet, with 17 charities receiving a total of £166,000 in funding. Initially, we projected that 9,469 people would benefit from this support. However, by the end of the funding period, our partners had reached 15,369 people—over 60% more than expected.
Lucy Parish, Hopestead’s Head of Operations, said: “The numbers speak for themselves, but the real impact is in the lives changed. Hope Funds has given charities the security and flexibility they need to meet rising demand, and that’s what makes all the difference. We know that behind every statistic is a person, a family, or a child who now has hope for a better future.”
Hopestead’s Hope Funds round 3 has supported organisations across the region.
The bigger picture
Hope Funds round 3 provided security, opportunity, and hope to thousands of people across our community. The funding helped:
- 8,301 people access homelessness prevention services.
- 4,340 people receive housing, welfare, and debt advice.
- 312 people access safe bed spaces while experiencing homelessness.
- 1,677 children benefit from essential food, hygiene items, and social support.
Feedback from our partners was overwhelmingly positive:
- 92% said working with Hopestead was ‘very easy’.
- 100% believe the funding helped achieve their objectives.
- 100% would apply for funding again.
Bethan Bishop, Hopestead’s programme and policy manager, said: “We know the demand for services like these is growing.
“That’s why we’re constantly looking at how we can do more. Hope Funds will continue to evolve, ensuring we provide the right support, in the right way, to those who need it most.”
The true impact of Hope Funds is best seen in the lives it has transformed. From debt advice to essential housing support and skills training, our charity partners have made a real difference to people facing homelessness.
Here are three powerful stories that highlight how Hope Funds is changing lives.
Norfolk Community Law Service: Breaking the cycle of debt
Norfolk Community Law Service offers free, independent and confidential legal advice on civil matters for residents of Norfolk.
Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS) provides essential debt and welfare benefit support to people in financial crisis. With the average debt of individuals seeking help rising from £4,000 to £14,000 in just three years, NCLS plays a crucial role in preventing homelessness.
With Hopestead’s support, NCLS was able to:
- Employ an additional debt advisor, increasing their capacity by 30%.
- Expand community outreach, reaching more people in urgent need.
- Successfully overturn 80% of wrongful benefit denials, securing £3.2 million in financial aid for Norfolk residents.
“If you help clear someone’s debt, you’re not just putting a plaster on it—you’re giving them a fresh start,” said an NCLS representative. “Hopestead’s support allows us to intervene before financial hardship turns into homelessness.”
The Feed: Helping beat food poverty
The Feed aims to ensure everyone in Norfolk has the support to eat well, live well, and feel connected.
The Feed is dedicated to tackling homelessness and poverty through food provision, training, and holistic support. A powerful example of their impact is Bill’s story.
Bill, a wheelchair user, was living without electricity, proper care, or access to the benefits he was entitled to. The Feed’s First Steps programme stepped in, helping Bill navigate complex systems, secure emergency food, and regain financial stability. Thanks to this intervention:
- Bill’s benefits were restored, including a backdated Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
- He was placed in a wheelchair-accessible home.
- His safety was secured, preventing further exploitation.
“Just to have a chance… If we can provide that initial support, people can move towards independence and a better quality of life,” said a team member at The Feed.
Ms Parish said funding organisations like The Feed is critical.
“We don’t just fund projects—we fund lifelines,” she said. “The Feed’s work shows how the right support, at the right time, can completely change someone’s trajectory. This is exactly why Hope Funds exists.”
New Meaning Foundation: Skills for a brighter future
The New Meaning Foundation builds mini-homes for people who have experienced homelessness.
New Meaning Foundation helps people at risk of homelessness by providing training and employment opportunities. Tom’s journey is a testament to the impact of their work.
After experiencing homelessness due to a family breakdown, Tom found purpose at New Meaning, starting as a volunteer. Through hands-on training, he gained skills in construction and home building. Over time, he built confidence and developed new aspirations:
- He mastered decorating and began training in plastering.
- He gained the experience and motivation to become self-employed.
- He found a supportive community that gave him a fresh start.
“I’m not just a decorator anymore—I have skills, a future, and a place where I belong,” says Tom. Hopestead’s grant enabled New Meaning to expand its training programmes, ensuring more people like Tom can build stable and fulfilling lives.
Looking ahead
Ms Parish said: “Hope Funds isn’t just about short-term relief—it’s about long-term change. We’re investing in people’s futures, making sure they have the skills, security, and support they need to thrive.”
With each funding round, we continue to learn, adapt, and strengthen our impact. By listening to our partners and those they support, we’re shaping the future of Hope Funds to be even more effective. Together, we are ending homelessness, one life at a time.
Because everyone deserves a place to call home.