Norwich charity helps 400 people in bid to end homelessness

Norwich-based charity Hopestead launched the Hope at Home campaign to help people who were homeless.

As part of the campaign, more than 400 people were given new furniture, appliances, and flooring over 12 months.

The charity now wants to expand the campaign to help even more people.

Lucy Parish, head of operations at Hopestead, said: “During the year, more than 20,000 people experienced homelessness in the east of England and over 18,000 of those were living in temporary accommodation.

Hopestead’s programme and policy manager Bethan Bishop delivers household items as part of the charity’s Hope at Home campaign (Image: Hopestead)

"The cost-of-living crisis saw a sharp rise in the number of people accessing support for household debt, food and fuel.

"Hope at home is about ensuring that people moving into a property from a route of homelessness, have essential items to enable them to thrive, so they are empowered to break the cycle of homelessness”

Hopestead's impact report for the 2023-24 financial year found that 418 people in 239 households, including 154 children, were supported through Hope at Home.

In addition to this, the charity provided emergency bedding and appliances to 88 households, flooring and carpets to 160 households, and supplied 462 new white goods.

The total value of support provided was £875,825.