the homeless Enabling churches to house
Review 2017-2018
A year of
stepping up
This year, thanks to your support
Thoughts from the Chair of Trustees
Gavin Howard It is a joy for us at Hope Into Action to hear from more people who want to start the process of assembling investment and a team while galvanising their church to welcome those whom God has called them to love.
When I hear of such concerns, I love to be able to tell a story of a growing, award winning, organisation which has hit the sweet spot by enabling those with a heart for the broken and lonely, coupled with well-placed investment, to come together and see lives restored. What started off as a conversation has turned into a movement for change in our churches as many respond to a clear call to step up and do something.
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I pray that reading our latest report, with its stories and testimonies, will inspire you to step up like many have so far. This is such a dynamic organisation to be part of and I am excited at what the future holds when people like you get involved.
50
WE NOW PARTNER WITH CHURCHES
WE HOUSED
191 tenants made up of 165 adults and 26 children
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24 NIV
www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
This is an increase of over
21%
First modern slavery survivors’ home opened
WE TRAINED
OVER
Where I sit in Cambridge, there is a growing conversation about what needs to be done for the homeless on our streets, while at the same time the creaking social care system is leaving many people in increasingly vulnerable positions.
We have grown from 38 houses to 53, opening 15 homes
100
CHURCH VOLUNTEERS
4
more houses were opened with the Syrian Refugee scheme
We won The Guardian Award for the best housing project in the country! @hopeintoaction
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Sleeping Rough With the number of rough sleepers in the UK increasing at a bewildering pace, one Hope into Action tenant shares his experience of how his life changed when he lost his home.* Ron** was a married family man who never expected that he would become homeless. But his life changed after a chain of events: “I had a loan issue, marriage break up, lost my job, health issues, over-priced private rental properties which I couldn’t maintain, sofa surfing with friends. The whole thing just imploded really and that made my life more difficult.” He spent two years living in a garden shed. “I had access to an outside tap and one electric socket so I had a little access to water and electricity. I became really good at cooking on wood fires. I managed a fairly decent diet but it was very hard work. I was relying on the food bank and some resources from a grant.” The owner of the garden knew Ron lived there and let him stay in return for gardening work. But it was not a good solution. “Some of my basic problems were hygiene, getting washed, getting my clothes washed, no lavatory. 4
The whole thing just imploded really and that made my life more difficult. So all that tested my resilience, in terms of damp clothes and storing everything and keeping everything tidy and I was finding it hard to engage with anyone for support. I really just buried my head in the sand and just thought ‘this is what my life is going to be’”. But Ron was able to stay connected to his previous life, “Previously I was a teacher so I was able to continue with some Art classes and help run an Art class but it was becoming increasingly difficult because of my deteriorating personal circumstances. I managed to keep social contacts through churches, because of that I was also developing some connections which meant I was able to eventually be referred to Hope into Action through the church and that’s how things began to turn around”. www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
When asked what the biggest issues are when you are homeless, Ron has little doubt: “Lack of access to medical help and other facilities. It’s been a real eye-opener to me to what it means to be homeless and rough sleeping. I started to feel more and more under-valued as a person. At one time I was quite cushioned, being married with family you know, but I’m a good example that it could happen to anyone. We’re all just a step away from it in today’s society. “I think being with Hope into Action, having a secure, safe home and being surrounded by
people to support me from the church has given me back my dignity and confidence. I’m still in shock about my experiences – how did I get to that – but I have hope for my future thanks to Hope into Action and church.”
I have hope for my future thanks to Hope into Action and church.
People sleeping rough
All stats from Crisis
• Have a life expectancy of 47 • Are 35 times more likely to commit suicide • 1 in 10 have been urinated on • Are 13 times more likely to be victim of violence *https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42817123 **Not his real name @hopeintoaction
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All it takes is
realise this and pray for God’s help, that’s when the same situation feels energising instead and the answers to prayer fuel me’.
55,334 steps
Nigel makes sure that he has great prayer support and uses a Whatsapp group to communicate instantly when a need comes up. ‘I know that within five minutes I’ll have the prayer team on it, and we have seen amazing answers to prayer’. He says, ‘At times I’ve really raged to God, I’ve not prayed like this before, a righteous anger that has been good for my soul and breaks me out of my conditioned placid Christianity.’
Nigel has run marathons in cities across Europe. With his church, Kings Church, Mid Sussex, he also opened two Hope Into Action homes. These are not entirely dissimilar experiences, as he explains.
Having worked in supported housing for 11 years, Nigel always knew he was called to use his experience in a Christian context with a church or organisation. Then he met Ed Walker, founder and Executive Director of Hope Into Action, and knew he had found his next step. But being based in mid-Sussex could ring alarm bells; the average price of a threebedroom house is over £325,000. So, Nigel began to think of people at his church who he thought may have the personal finance to be able to invest and whom he intended to approach and ask for money. However, God had other plans. In the end, it was people from the church who found out what he was doing who approached him wanting to invest, and they were not on his list at all. “I’ve always known God is faithful and able to do more than I could ask or imagine but
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this really tested my faith. Enough money for 2 houses?!! People just caught the vision, I never even had to ask for a penny.” If that makes it sound easy, Nigel is quick to say it has been a very tough road at times. Working with challenging people in challenging situations has, at his lowest points, made him question the whole journey. ‘But that’s when you need an energy gel! A boost of the Holy Spirit to get the energy levels back up and to keep going and not to give up! I know that when I start to feel worn out, it’s because I’m trying to get things done in my own strength and that’s when it gets exhausting. When I
The first home was bought in April 2017. One Saturday morning he was working hard getting the house ready with a volunteer, stripping off several layers of wallpaper of this 1960’s house. Gradually they realised that something had been spray-painted on the backing paper, underneath all the years’ worth of décor. Eventually all was revealed: ‘There was a cloud, and underneath it said “Hi Nigel. Nice decoration!”. Incredible! It showed me that God had this ordained for us. I realised, God, you’ve got this.’ Since then they purchased a second house which has just had its first tenants move in and Nigel is looking to work with another church in Mid Sussex to open a third in the area. Having seen what a difference a Hope Into Action home makes in people’s lives, he knows the work must keep going to give hope to more tenants and support them
when they are vulnerable. ‘At the beginning of a marathon you are aware there is nothing else you can do, no further training, planning or preparation but to just run the course ahead of you. Once across the finish line, you vow never to run again - before signing up for another one as soon as the pain subsides.’ As Nigel knows, the next Hope Into Action house will involve challenges and struggles but be entirely worth it to provide a safe and secure home with the potential to turn someone’s life around.
People just caught the vision, I never even had to ask for a penny.
Nigel advises churches in the south of England currently working with Hope Into Action and would love to chat to anyone considering stepping up. Call him on 01733 558301.
www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
@hopeintoaction
hopeintoaction
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Modern Slavery As with many of the other vulnerable groups Hope Into Action works with, housing instability is one of the most pressing issues for survivors of modern slavery. It is widely recognised by those working in this area that there is a big gap in support for survivors, despite the Government’s efforts to support those affected. The government-funded National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is a victim identification and support process designed to make it easier for all agencies that could be involved in a trafficking case to share information about potential victims and facilitate their access to accommodation and support. However, there is a lack of reliable data as to what happens to people once their situation is reported. And with no basic support services provided, many are forced to return to their exploited situation or become homeless. Therefore being provided with a house is a significant boost to their opportunity for a sustainable new life away from their captors.
are between 10,000 and 13,000 potential modern slavery victims in the UK. So when the opportunity arose to open a house specifically for survivors of modern slavery, we quickly took it. We approached Hope for Justice and C3 Church in Cambridge to combine our expertise in what is a complex area of work. We had been concerned for some time about the situation of slavery in this country and had been in talks with Hope for Justice and C3 for a long time. So we were delighted when an investor came forward wanting to purchase a house for the project. It all came together brilliantly and in March the house was opened with a prayer commissioning service and now two gentlemen are in and were over-whelmed by the house and support they received.
Government figures estimate there are between 10,000 and 13,000 potential modern slavery victims in the UK.
Slavery may sound like a horror from the past. But Government figures estimate there 8
www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
Most commonly people are trafficked into forced labour in hospitality, agriculture, construction, beauty, fishing and sexual exploitation.
Andrew Harris, Pastor at The C3 Church, said: “C3 is passionate about offering practical, emotional and community support to victims of modern-day slavery. As a church we want to see lives rebuilt, dignity restored and hope return to those who have suffered exploitation. Building a community of people who can minister love and provide a haven of hope is critical if we are to see victims of trafficking empowered and restored to their full worth.” Ed Walker says: ‘This is an issue which has long been on my heart and I’ve known our expertise means we and the church have something vital to offer. We have worked hard with Hope for Justice and C3 to ensure our approach and ethos is aligned and @hopeintoaction
hopeintoaction
I am sure this will be a highly successful project….and, we hope, many more churches will want to do the same.’
This is an issue which has long been on my heart and I’ve known our expertise means we and the church have something vital to offer. ED WALKER
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Step Up and Share
• House prices are now 8 times average annual wages: Source: Office for National Statistics
• One in every 111 children is currently homeless Source: Shelter
• More than 155 women are turned away from refuges every week in this country
Browsing through a magazine, Richard did not expect that he would be prompted to buy a second home. But an article, which focused on Hope Into Action, had a sentence that gave him a whole new perspective on his savings. ‘Ed Walker was quoted as saying we’re called to steward not just our giving but also our capital that we need for later years. As Christians for many years, my wife Lydia and I have been thoughtful and planned with our donations, but it had never struck us so forcefully to consider stewarding our capital in that way.’ Richard and Lydia had tended to invest in financial markets but had resisted buying a second home or other property, put off by the upkeep and maintenance responsibilities. However, now Richard was intrigued by the idea of using their capital for a Christian purpose, so he picked up the phone and chatted it through. ‘We ended up buying a whole house. The team was very helpful and the process was smooth. We’ve still never seen the house, but we pray for its tenants to be brought into community and we pray for the church.’ 10
As Christians for many years, my wife Lydia and I have been thoughtful and planned with our donations, but it had never struck us so forcefully to consider stewarding our capital in that way. Homelessness in the UK was not an issue that Richard and Lydia had been especially involved in, but they support overseas Christian organisations that offer holistic models of supporting people to get back on their feet. Knowing that a local church was there to offer pastoral support to tenants was inspiring, ‘It is such a wonderful way to share the Gospel’, said Richard. www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
Source: Women’s Aid
So have his fears of second home ownership been borne out? ‘Not so far!’ he says. ‘There was the usual paperwork up front, but I was pleased that Hope Into Action recommended a solicitor who made the whole process simple. In addition, the team has taken from us the burden of the initial refurbishment, health and safety and making it just right for the tenant as well as the on-going maintenance. We hear from them when the tenants change over, so we can pray for them’. Richard has nothing but positives to say about the whole process. ‘I’m happy to share my experience and I recommend it to my friends to consider it for themselves as it really is a great model’.
• Causes of homelessness among families are: »» lack of affordable housing, »» unemployment, »» poverty, »» low wages Source: Shelter
To find out more about becoming an investor, call Ed on 01733 558301 @hopeintoaction
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Award Winners
And the recognition continued in June 2018 with another award. Ed wrote to staff the next day:
What really makes us INN
OVATIVE? What is unique abo
On a cold night in November, a group from the Hope into Action team went to an awards ceremony expecting not much more than a good excuse to get dressed up and hear great stories. What they left with was The Guardian Public Service Award for Housing. Ed was bowled over, as expressed in this email he wrote to Hope into Action supporters the next day…
: Crazy
Guardian Award
ject in the country. for best housing pro ard Aw TS. ce rvi Se ciations. It really is NU The Guardian Public s and housing asso tie ari Last night we won ch , cils un co project of all mplaints, That is best housing head is aware of co Most of the time my d I) are far d. (an an we rst de ow un kn I to , uggle ng…so, trust me mi -co If I am honest I str ort sh n ow prove and my issues, things to im ct. rfe pe far from people. an organisation of ld and is because we are t tha e os pp ctitioners in the fie su I t Bu nt, experienced pra ge and elli e int , rat gh leb ou ce thr to ll thought – allow yourself The judges were we building just for a moment are So . we us d in an ial e’s ec sp one els they saw something combined with every d. ves of bread, have nour and glory to Go ho ing ng bri is realize your tiny loa ich wh ial ec sp one nt, ere l, diff r faith and indeed something unusua not ashamed of ou re we of e We us r re. ou the of s because Christian charity t from the others wa We were the only ted as standing ou no re we we ns so of the rea e of our faith. urches) and becaus volunteers (from ch n: s struck by And so - a reflectio ng in Khartoum I wa after 3.5 years of livi t as though 08 fel 20 It . in law try a un ari co sh the here than under th When I came into fai dia my t me ou d ab an k harder to tal was massive the thought it was back foot, the state have the uld on wo y d an ph k so ac ilo att der some ways this ph In . Christians were un ion ris de d an ns with scorn by the Guardian. referred to Christia r ed and promoted nifi rso pe d, die somehow made ou bo been em al to our model and ntr ce as . h ws urc Ne ch od the ad and is Go ud we have put d, after all, is not de I am immensely pro ay’s society. Our Go tod to le ab lat pa th Christian fai 12
www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
ut us?
Last week 2 things happen ed: we sent out loads of com ms about our outcomes and won an award for being ‘inn we ovative’! The award was a tremendous endorsement: There were 150 organisations considered for categories in the Homeless link 6 awards evening. I loved hearing the words, in front of a packed audience: ‘They partner with churches to sustainably and holistically house the homeles s.’ In a cynical, increasingly sec ular world – we are proud to be associated with churches awarded for doing well. As I drove home I reflected on what really makes us uniq ue and innovative because: We don’t set targets around number of houses we open, (we haven’t ever even done marketing campaign to rais a e more investments). Nor do we have KPIs around ‘outco ‘transforming lives’ or ‘helping mes’, people’. No. At the heart of our visi on is the word ‘love’. And we define our success whe members of churches are ‘ou n t of their pews’ and there is an exchange of love with our ‘tenants’ (not clients). The use of the word ‘love’ ma kes us fairly unique in the hom eless sector. It is from focusing on, trying to understand and celebrating love that we get these wonderful outcomes page 18) and somehow oth (see ers come to the conclusion we are worth an award. But we get just as excited abo ut church volunteers loving their tenants as we do an awa I suspect God does also. Eve rd. n though we are proud that 90% of our ex offenders hav gone back to jail, a few mo e not nths ago we visited one of them that did…and we cele visit as success also. Becaus brate that e love ‘journeys with’ ‘even when…’ . I’m reminded of the words of Jesus: ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and all the rest will be unto you’ and if ‘God is love’ given then the Kingdom of God mus t be love. When we focus on the outcomes and awards, (and love, swanky-3-course-dinners-to-re ceive the awards) etc follow. Our ‘innovative-award-winning ’ approach then is to follow the two thousand year old wor of Jesus. Here’s to loving with ds our heart, mind, soul and stre ngth.
@hopeintoaction
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At 2018’s conference…
Speakers included Dr Elaine Storkey, Martin Charlesworth, Dr Jaco Beukes and many tenants past and present. This account from Empowerment Worker Paddy Ryan gives a flavour of the day. “It never ceases to amaze me how resilient people are. A lady and her family had fled their own country due to conflict and had found themselves in Nottingham where they were eventually housed by Hope Into Action. They faced all kinds of hurdles in trying to adjust, but with the help of people from the church, they have been able to settle and feel accepted and loved. Being accepted and loved seemed to be theme running through most of the talks given. I was privileged to attend the talk with the ladies who talked about their past, of how and why they had turned to prostitution, but then spoke about how they had been accepted for who they are, including their past, and have now gone on to encourage others through what they have written and spoken. The spoke eloquently and honestly, also giving us listening some common-sense insight.
very well, were honest and open about their experiences regarding living rough and what they had found when moving into a house with Hope Into Action. Questions were asked and answered as best as they could be. I finished the session by speaking on how rough sleeping can impact on any of us, giving my account of how my older brother ended up living on the streets for several years before being assisted and housed by St Mungo’s in London. I believe the message of acceptance and loving the person came through again here. As people left to go on their travels back home, I hope they took a sense of knowing that they can be or are a part of this too, and spread this even further.”
I chaired a talk on rough sleeping and two of the tenants gave their accounts of how this came about for them and how they had been helped. Again, the tenants spoke
Don’t miss the 2019 conference; more seminars, a bigger venue and more top speakers. Pre-register for tickets now. www.hopeintoaction.org.uk 14
www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
Step to the 2019 Conference
Friday 22nd March 2019 Location: Kingsgate Community Church Peterborough PE1 4YT
Speaking: Joel Edwards, International Director for Micah Challenge and a Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Formerly General Director of the Evangelical Alliance and a probation officer.
See www.hopeintoaction.org.uk to@hopeintoaction pre-register hopeintoaction for tickets
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Dear Reader, Please find below some poems which came to me while in a Hope into Action home. I hope they give you a tiny insight into my situation and heart. May God Bless you.
Tenant Poems
Poems by AO798CW
Addicts we are, But hopeless we’re not We’re here for each other And that counts for a lot
In united recovery Together we stand To fight this disease That curses our land
In united recovery Together we stand To fight this disease That curses our land.
Whatever our stories In these rooms we are home For we are a fa mily We don’t walk alone
Alcoholics we are But hopeless we’re not We’re here for each other That counts for a lot
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www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
You hear the statistics You read the news All of society Appear to have views I see the homeless I see the deaths I see the addicts - Could you really care less? The fear never leaves My Soul, it still cries But still I am silenced By society’s lies!
Y ou we re t h e re at t h e st a rt Wh e n I t h ou g ht h ope wa s lo st Y ou ’ve a lw a y s h a d fa it h in m e W h at e ve r t h e co st N o o n e is p e rfe ct But t his m u ch is t ru e T h e be st b it s o f m e – I’ve lea rnt t h e m f ro m y ou Y ou ’re m o re t h a n a f ri e nd Y ou ’re m y h o pe a n d m y rock God k n e w wh at h e wa s d oin g Wh e n He s at a n d t o o k st ock So t od a y I s a y t his Fo r m y h ea rt s a y s it s t ru e All chil d re n d e s e rve – A m u m ju st li k e y ou.
@hopeintoaction
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I thought I drank to stay alive, Now drink could be my death I choose to live JUST FOR TODAY Not draw my final breath.
Locked in by secrets Its happened again Locked in by guilt I must be to bla me Locked in by fear Of society’s sha me Locked in abuse For the ‘Good Fa mily Na me.’ Until one day at a meeting A newcomer spoke And I heard the beginning Of my vodka and coke* As I listened to his words My heart ached with his fears, Yes, that was me For all of those years Now I look through new eyes At what I’ve become You’ve helped me, my friend My new Life’s begun. *= cocaine
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Thank you to our church volunteers and staff for all your hard work. Thank you to our tenants for continuing to inspire, motivate and encourage us with your determination and persistence. These fantastic outcomes are a tribute to all your hard work.
90%
40 of our tenants had previously served time in custody, that is 24% of our tenants. Only 4 returned to custody and one was for 3 weeks only and we continued to support afterwards. Many of our other 125 adult tenants were at risk to crime, only one of those tenants went into custody.
63%
57 of our tenants had a previous relationship with hard drugs. That is 35% of all our tenants. Of those 21 have worsened. Many of those we continue to work with on their journey of recovery. This year, also, we have had to cope with new drugs on the market which added a challenge.
70%
115 of our 165 adult tenants have improved their relationship with their family. We have also kept many families together by giving them a home and, by housing Syrian refugees, we have allowed them to access vital health care unavailable to them in refugee camps.
Volunteered, education or training
48%
79 of our tenants were involved in volunteering education or training. Positive occupation of time helps self-esteem and gives a sense of purpose as well as being recognised as vital in recovery.
Got a job
18%
30 of our tenants this year have found employment and maintained it.
88%
Financial management is essential to preventing homelessness and sustaining a tenancy. 88% of our tenants have established or maintained a bank account. 74% are paying their personal charge regularly, with 51% by standing order. 77% are debt free or re-paying debts/arrears.
Reduced their drug intake
Improved social relations with their family
Finance management
Our vision is every church lovingly providing the homeless with a home 18
www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
into
HOPE HOPE ACTION ACTION
We praise God for our success this year. But there is so much more to be done. There are still so many in need of a home, a community and of hope. With your involvement, we can support more people with a safe home and positive relationships so they can change their lives for the better.
into
93%
Abstain from crime
Can your church reach out?
Are you ready to get involved?
% In total we housed 191 tenants last year. 165 were adults with 26 children (up from 139 and 13 respectively). The increase in children reflects opening 2 more refugee homes for Syrian families and the increased need to house mothers as councils are struggling to cope, especially in Peterborough. 55 people moved on from our homes: 23% of the move-ons went to social housing and 17% into private rental.
Maintain tenancy
HOPE Can you step up? ACTION
into
Area of holistic change
into
Our outcomes in numbers
HOPE ACTION
Can you…pray? Can you…give? Can you…invest? Can your church… partner with us?
Go to www.hopeintoaction.org.uk and tell us how you are going to step up to change lives. Thank you. @hopeintoaction
hopeintoaction
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Our first home targeted men coming out of prison and stuck in hostels. We now have homes for women fleeing domestic violence, refugees, street homeless, former prostitutes, those in recovery from alcohol or drug misuse, mothers with children, former victims of trafficking and slavery. Each home is in partnership with a church. Each church provides love, prayer, community, non-judgemental support, acceptance and practical help to the tenants, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity and faith.
numerous awards for our model and the quality of work.
We believe if someone has a safe, secure home, coupled with loving, non-judgemental healthy relationships – they are more likely to make positive, hope-filled choices.
There remain over
300,000
vulnerable adults involved in or at risk of homelessness. Source: Shelter
We depend on your donations to keep our
53
homes
open. With your support we are aiming for 15 more this year.
HOPE ACTION We see a time when it is normal for
HO AC
churches to lovingly provide the homeless with a home.
H A for makingACTION this HOPE Thank you
into
Hope into Action helped save my life, not only housing me when I needed it, but their continued support after I left. They have loved me at my worst and fought for me continually and encouraged me endlessly.
We have won
into
Hope Into Action models a unique combination of using investment capital, mainly the savings / wealth of Christians, to buy homes for the homeless.
happen. Hope into Action, 26 North Street, Peterborough PE1 2RA
E: info@hopeintoaction.org.uk T: 00 44 (0)1733 558301 W: hopeintoaction.org.uk Twitter: @hopeintoaction Facebook: www.facebook.com/hopeintoaction Registered in England and Wales No. 7309173. Registered charity No. 1137686
the homeless Enabling churches to house