Northampton Hope Centre receives £10k grant to support homeless services
Funding supports charity's efforts while housing pressures continue
The Northampton Hope Centre has received £10,000 in funding to enhance its volunteer programme, helping to support vulnerable individuals in the community.
However, the charity has highlighted ongoing challenges, including housing availability and the increasing number of young people needing its services.
The grant has been awarded by Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone as part of her Safe and Sound public safety plan, with over £100,000 distributed to grassroots organisations across Northamptonshire since the plan's relaunch last year.
The funding will enable the Hope Centre to train, supervise, and support 30 volunteers, including 10 individuals with lived experience of homelessness, to help run its Day Centre operations.
Damon Boughen, Grants and Trusts Manager at the Hope Centre, welcomed the funding’s positive impact but acknowledged wider issues remain unaddressed.
“This grant will make a real difference, helping us train and support our volunteers to provide meaningful engagement and assist those who come to us during moments of real vulnerability,” Boughen explained.
“However, there’s still much more that needs to be done. Housing issues are at the heart of this. We’re seeing younger people coming in needing support sooner than ever before, and families finding themselves relying on services for basics like food.
''Addressing the housing crisis is essential to help young people and families regain stability.” he added.
Tackling homelessness and improving safety
The Hope Centre also emphasised the link between homelessness and broader safety concerns. Without stable housing, individuals are often exposed to issues such as gang-related grooming or are unable to access jobs and essential resources, leaving them vulnerable to further risks.
Commissioner Stone echoed the importance of the charity’s work in bolstering public safety, saying: “Homelessness puts people in incredibly precarious situations, undermining their ability to find stability and leaving them vulnerable to crime and exploitation,
''Supporting organisations like the Hope Centre is vital for ensuring people receive the help they need instead of feeling cornered into desperate measures.”
The funding also aims to support and train volunteers with lived experience of homelessness, who can foster trust and connection with those seeking support.
“Volunteers who’ve lived through homelessness themselves create bridges of trust with vulnerable individuals, helping them feel understood and optimistic about change,” Boughen said.
“That support is invaluable, especially for younger people and families who might be struggling to see a path forward from these challenges.” He added.
Rising demand among young people
As the Hope Centre experiences a rise in younger people turning to its services, it says urgent action is needed to support the next generation. Boughen highlighted housing and access to resources as key pressure points that need addressing.
He said: “Young people are leaving education and finding themselves stuck without housing options. This issue leaves them turning to services like ours far too early in life. Stability depends on access to suitable housing, especially for vulnerable young people and families, and solving this challenge should be a focus moving forward.”
A comprehensive approach
Commissioner Stone’s Safe and Sound public safety plan aims to tackle issues across the board, from youth engagement to housing stability.
“We’re working hard to reach people across different stages of vulnerability,” Stone said.
“From introducing youth workers into neighbourhood policing to prevent criminality, to supporting organisations like the Hope Centre that provide essential help, we’re addressing challenges from multiple angles to strengthen both individuals and communities.”
The Hope Centre will continue to work with local partners, including the Commissioner’s team, to address these challenges and make long-term improvements for vulnerable residents in Northamptonshire.
For further information and support visit the Hope Centre's website