A Bournemouth homelessness charity has marked sixteen years of helping people off the streets and into independence.
Hope Housing, Training and Support welcomed guests to its base in St Swithuns Road South on 11 September for an anniversary open day with food, stalls, tours and entertainment. Since 2009 the charity has supported more than 2,700 people into safe housing and new opportunities.
Guests included Bournemouth’s Deputy Mayor Councillor George Farquhar and BBC Traitors contestant Keith Stewart, who entertained visitors as DJ. Keith, who runs a window cleaning business in Bournemouth, said he was honoured to attend and praised the charity’s role in helping homeless people rebuild their lives.
Councillor Farquhar said the event was a chance to meet people who had overcome homelessness and were now supporting others. He added that homelessness often follows difficult life events that could affect anyone and thanked the charity for offering people a brighter future.
Hope was founded by Julie Berti and her late father David Botterill. Today it provides supported housing, counselling, wellbeing support, training and help into work and independent living. Julie said the charity continues to grow thanks to the commitment of staff, supporters and partners.
Future plans include creating an all-weather outdoor activity space for residents and relaunching Hope Soap, which donates a bar of soap to a homeless person for every one purchased.
Hope is encouraging local organisations and businesses to consider supporting its work through donations, sponsorship or fundraising.
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