The story of Hope Housing

We hear from a dentist who has made a remarkable difference in retirement, helping to establish Hope Housing – a safe and supportive home for people experiencing homelessness.

It started simply, with hot drinks, biscuits and conversation.

On Sundays after the service at Reignite Church, we would serve refreshments. Over time, people experiencing homelessness began to join us. They came in for a hot drink, plenty of biscuits and, just as importantly, the chance to sit and talk. Before long, we were also providing toast, cheese and spreads.

From Sunday refreshments to Hope Housing

Then Covid struck. We could no longer meet in person, and as the weeks and months passed, I found myself wondering how the people we had come to know were coping.

Eventually, we partnered with Green Pastures, an organisation working to help end homelessness, to provide a house for three men who had been experiencing homelessness.

From there, Reignite Church formed Hope Housing, creating a safe and supportive home where residents are encouraged and supported as they move towards independent living.

The realities (and rewards) of helping others

It is incredibly rewarding work, but it isn't always easy. Recovery is rarely a straight path, and we've learnt to be prepared for setbacks and relapses.

Setting up Hope Housing has opened my eyes to a world I previously knew very little about: how councils and agencies support people experiencing homelessness, the dangers people can face, and the devastating consequences of addiction.

But I have also experienced the enormous joy of seeing someone move on from Hope Housing and begin living independently.

It's wonderful to hear that a former resident has found a job or a home of their own or has been reunited with their children. Some have even gone on to support people facing the same challenges they once did themselves. Seeing a life transformed makes the difficult moments worthwhile.

Finding purpose through volunteering

For me, volunteering and helping to establish Hope Housing has meant stepping into a completely new world and finding a rewarding way to contribute.

For anyone thinking about taking on a volunteering role in retirement, I would say: be prepared for hard work and setbacks, and to discover things you may never previously have encountered. But you can also be prepared for tremendous joy that comes from seeing someone take positive steps towards a different future.

The residents tell us that Hope Housing feels like a safe and peaceful home. Our motivation is to show them love and help them move towards a contented, fulfilling and independent life.

Our dream for the future is to have more homes that can provide the same kind of safe haven, giving more people the support and opportunity they need to live independently once again.