Formerly homeless people in Bournemouth will receive extra help to cope with rising living costs, thanks to a grant from the BCP Food and Energy Fund.
Hope Housing, Training and Support, based in St Swithuns Road, has been awarded £6,000 via the Dorset Community Foundation. The funding runs until March 2026 and will provide ‘three seasons of support’ to residents who are already significantly affected by the cost of living crisis.
From 1 June to 31 August this year, the charity has focused on ensuring residents have access to healthy food and basic necessities. Weekly cooking activities are helping people learn budgeting, meal planning, economical shopping, and preparing healthy meals. Mental health and wellbeing programmes are also addressing the emotional and financial challenges residents face.
Between 1 September and 31 December, the funding will be used to provide warm clothing, winter quilts, and energy-saving tips. A winter hardship fund will help cover unexpected costs, such as heating bills or transport. Cooking activities will continue, focusing on winter-friendly meals and managing higher energy costs.
In early 2026, the project will move to recovery and resilience, with life skills training aimed at supporting employment and long-term housing goals.
Hope has supported more than 2,000 people off the streets since it began in 2009, offering safe accommodation and one-to-one tailored support. Cooking sessions, led by Teela Liberty-Spark, encourage group involvement and use affordable ingredients, with some produce coming from Hope’s gardens.
One resident, Shannon, said cooking from scratch is not only healthier and cheaper than ready meals, but also gives them the skills to recreate dishes in their own accommodation.