A permanent office space helping to build a supportive community for vulnerable men
A grant of £4,980 from BCF in 2021 helped Hope and Vision Communities to procure a permanent office space and continue to build a safe and supportive community for vulnerable men.
Hope and Vision Communities is a charity that provides supported move-on accommodation for men who have completed residential rehabilitation for addiction problems. During this time, men are at their most vulnerable. Although physically healed from their addiction, they are often without a home, job, or community. Through accommodation, mentoring and support, the charity aims to enable individuals to continue their journeys of recovery in a healthy and safe, community-based environment.
Funding from BCF has gone towards helping Hope and Vision double the impact of their work across Berkshire. In particular, Hope and Vision were able to procure a permanent office space, continuing to build the safe and supportive community needed by this vulnerable group of society.
Having physical premises has helped the charity to galvanise its work. Staff, volunteers and trustees now have more clarity and a central place to meet and concentrate their efforts. It also gives clients – men who are or want to be part of Hope and Vision’s programme – a hub which they can drop in to. Being able to see and visit the office gives them confidence that Hope and Vision are able to support them with this pivotal stage of their life. Fifteen months after founding the charity, the team has expanded their income streams and supporter network across Berkshire and doubled the number of men they house and help, saving lives in the process.
An unexpected impact of the new office space was the influx of new volunteers, who now have a physical location where they can offer their help. Hope and Vision have described this as a “really exciting step,” and have said that the space has brought a renewed energy to their work. Moving forward, Hope and Vision will expand its services to more men, and they have a list of potential residents who they are ready to work with in the near future.
“Knowing that a funder like the BCF wanted to support us was very encouraging - it gave us all the positive boost we needed! We are incredibly thankful to those who support them, and to their trustees for recognising our cause. Launching a charity in a pandemic wasn't easy and the Foundation were responsive to us at a time when it was most needed. They appreciated the need for flexibility and have allowed us to strengthen our offering as we move into the next stage of growth as a charity.”
Story of support
Simon moved into one of Hope and Vision’s homes in Reading in October 2021. Having completed his second treatment programme, he had been living temporarily in a houseboat. He described his situation as “not ideal because living on someone else’s houseboat during the pandemic was very isolating, and at times incredibly lonely. There were dark moments. I was struggling to stay sober and sane.”
He now shares his house with someone he went through treatment with. He is studying for a further education qualification and working part-time to gain the necessary experience.
Simon and his housemate are each other’s family – each being accountable to the other, cooking meals together, sharing the house space and chores, and helping others in their community.
Recently, he was able to take a holiday with his two children and make direct amends for the mistakes he has made as a father.
“It was a highly emotional moment because I had to address my past and the choices I have made. My children need a safe space to tell me how my behaviour has caused them harm. During the holiday my ex-wife and her new partner joined us too - so my children were surrounded by their family in a loving and caring environment. This kind of generational healing comes about because I can work my programme, knowing that I have somewhere safe to call home with the support of a peer-led organisation - which is what Hope and Vision Communities provides. In many ways, the charity has saved my life.”
Be part of something great.
If you would like to know more about how you can support causes like this, to change lives for the better in Berkshire, please get in touch.
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