Hope House Newsletter November 2025
Email address: contact@hopehousecfd.org
Greetings from Hope House to all our supporters.
Thank you once again for all you do personally to support this project, it continues to change lives and we couldn’t continue without you – it truly is a team effort.
Currently the house is full and enjoying a positive atmosphere of support and encouragement. Amongst this, staff are preparing two residents for a move into their own properties within the next couple of weeks. These preparations involve coaching as well as practical support, which continues for as long as each resident needs it.
All our current residents volunteer on a work placement and several have more than one. Residents who move on often continue with these placements until they gain employment. One of the residents who is moving on soon has been offered a paid position with the company he’s been volunteering for, which is great news. We are always looking for new placements, so let us know if you have any contacts who might be interested.
As well as work experience, the residents have been focusing on their physical health. In July they took part in a 4-day residential in the Lake District which included a range of outdoor activities, including climbing and kayaking. Staff member Dale is a qualified instructor and so several of the men have continued activities with him locally, for example, climbing at the indoor climbing centre in Sheffield.
Now and again, outside support agencies visit the house to talk to the residents, which encourages them to access the services on offer. Recently, several residents have accepted debt advice from Derbyshire Law Centre and are now on their way to becoming debt free. Life Skills sessions are also offered to the residents, covering food hygiene, budgeting and basic DIY, and a volunteer comes to support them with their literacy. These are invaluable skills when it’s time for them to move on.
The building is doing well but the communal areas need redecorating. Fortunately, we have had a very generous offer from West Notts College who are bringing Painting and Decorating students to Hope House in November to paint the downstairs and upstairs corridors, stairways and one of the bathrooms. Recently, we have also had to upgrade the computer system as Windows 10 is no longer supported. Our next task (when finance allows) is to purchase another computer for the men to use for accessing support and training online, and improving their digital literacy.
On the board of Trustees, we are delighted to welcome Heather, who has offered to support us with administration, and we are very grateful for her expertise.
Christmas is fast approaching, which can be a tricky time of year for some, but we are planning to celebrate as a Hope House family with a carol service and Christmas dinner cooked by our manager Ryan.
For those of you who pray – please continue to pray for ex-residents who have moved on, especially those in their first few months of independence – that they remember all the skills they have learnt and the good routines they have developed. Please also pray for new residents joining Hope House, that they settle in quickly and accept the support on offer. Thank you to all those who take the time to pray for the project.
Thank you also to all those who support us financially, your money is keeping the project alive and changing lives. If you don’t already, and would be interested in giving, please be in touch.
Finally, please do continue to spread the word of the work taking place at Hope House. Supporters do move away from time to time, and we need people to replace them – you are the best advertisers, so please do speak to people and groups you know, particularly regarding fundraising.
On behalf of everyone involved in the project, have a wonderful Christmas when it comes, and we’ll be back in touch in the New Year.
Hope House Trustees