One of Rugby’s most well-known charities has received Big Lottery funding worth £313,000 to provide support to some of the most vulnerable residents in the town.
Hope4 works with homeless or badly housed residents and provides support, hot meals and advice for those referred to them by local agencies. The Big Lottery Funding runs until April 2021 and will help to create more volunteering opportunities at Hope4, including practical support for homeless people to improve their health and wellbeing.
During his visit, Mark was able to speak to staff at Hope4 about the work they have done throughout the town and the projects they are running over the coming months, including their ‘Sponsored Sleepout’ on Friday 1st February. He also heard from Diana Mansell, Hope4’s Chair and Claire Cornwell, Big Lottery Fund Funding Manager for the Midlands, about how Big Lottery Funding and the Reaching Communities programme is transforming lives in Rugby.
Diana said “The funding from the Lottery is significantly helping us deliver much needed services for those who find themselves homeless in Rugby. This has included being able to now employ a full time Hope Centre Manager. I am really pleased that the team is developing our pre and post tenancy work with clients to ensure those we help into housing are able to maintain their tenancies.”
After visiting Hope4, Mark commented:
“The work done by the staff and volunteers at Hope4 really does change lives and I was delighted to once again have the opportunity to speak to them about the help they provide to some of the most vulnerable in the community. The Big Lottery Funding is helping them to provide more services, including basic health care and a mentoring schemes to improve the confidence and skills that people need to help them to change their lives.”
Mark continued:
“Homelessness is something that the Government is working hard to reduce and I am very pleased that last year Parliament passed the Homelessness Reduction Act, which gives local authorities, such as Rugby Borough Council, additional powers to support those at risk of becoming homeless. However, the work of charities such as Hope4 is vital in providing help to those who need it most and I would urge anyone having difficulties to reach out and get the support which they need, however difficult it is.”