Bournemouth charity Hope HTS will be able to provide 20 invaluable ‘starter packs’ for previously homeless residents thanks to a donation from the newly established Nicholas O’Hara Community Fund.
Hope, based in St Swithuns Road South, has helped more than 2,700 formerly homeless people off the streets and into its safe, supported accommodation. The charity is one of the first recipients of the Nicholas O’Hara Community Fund, which was launched by Nicholas O'Hara Funeral Directors in March. The fund aims to provide support for community-based projects that improve the quality of life of people living within three miles of their branches in Wimborne, Verwood, West Moors, Westbourne, Poole, Ferndown, and Tuckton.
Hope’s Director of Services Lisa Everett was presented with a £500 donation by Business Principals Anthony O’Hara and Natalie O’Hara and Funeral Director Jon Austin.
She said: “We are very grateful to Nicholas O'Hara Funeral Directors for this funding, which will enable us to provide 20 Fresh Start Packs containing essential household items such as bedding, towels, kitchenware, toiletries, and cleaning products.
“Many people come to us from the streets with very little in the way of personal possessions, so our starter packs are invaluable, providing them with items they need to settle into their new accommodation safely and more comfortably, and with dignity.”
Anthony O’Hara said: “This was the first cycle of our community fund, and we received 21 worthy applications from across the areas we cover. Hope’s work supporting homeless people is inspiring and we were pleased to be able to provide helpful starter packs. We look forward to continuing to support their work in the future.”
Hope currently provides supported housing to 95 people, all of whom can also access counselling, health and wellbeing support, training and education, and assistance into work and independent living. Companies or individuals interested in supporting the work of the charity can visit: www.hopehts.com
A second funding round is planned by the Nicholas O’Hara Community Fund later this year. More details about the scheme and how to apply can be found on the Nicholas O'Hara Funeral Directors' website.
