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Charity helps over 400 people furnish homes in fight against homelessness

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Hopestead has provided furniture, appliances and flooring to more than 400 people over the past year as part of its Hope at Home campaign to end homelessness.

The big picture: The charity's impact report for 2023-24 reveals:

  • 418 people in 239 households, including 154 children, received support

  • 88 households got emergency bedding and appliances

  • 160 households received flooring and carpets

  • 462 new whitegoods were supplied

  • Total value of support: £875,825

Hopestead team members Danielle Green, Bethan Bishop and Lucy Parish
Hopestead team members Danielle Green, Bethan Bishop and Lucy ParishSonya DuncanHopestead

Why it matters: The campaign aims to help people transitioning out of homelessness set up their new homes, empowering them to break the cycle of homelessness.

Lucy Parish, Hopestead's head of operations, said: "Hope at home is about ensuring that people moving into a property from a route of homelessness have essential items to enable them to thrive, so they are empowered to break the cycle of homelessness."

Between the lines: The charity reports rising demand for its services across the east of England:

  • Over 20,000 people experienced homelessness in the region last year

  • More than 18,000 were living in temporary accommodation

  • The cost-of-living crisis led to increased support needs for household debt, food and fuel

Hopestead’s programme and policy manager Bethan Bishop delivers household items as part of the charity’s Hope at Home campaign
Hopestead’s programme and policy manager Bethan Bishop delivers household items as part of the charity’s Hope at Home campaignSonya DuncanHopestead

Other initiatives:

  • Hopestead Place: Two self-contained modular homes in Ipswich for people transitioning out of homelessness, opened by Sir Terry Waite.

  • Hope Funds: £176,000 in grants to 19 charities and groups for projects reducing homelessness.

What's next: Hopestead plans to launch a new Voice of Hope campaign to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes to end homelessness.

Parish said: "Voice of Hope will campaign for better outcomes for the people we support by raising awareness of homelessness and the importance of housing in general. We will urge politicians and policymakers to drive long-term positive changes that can end homelessness for good."

Crimestoppers offers up to £1,000 for information on Ipswich drug dealers

News

Residents are being incentivised to anonymously report drug dealing activity in Ipswich as part of a new Crimestoppers campaign.

Why it matters: Drug dealing is a wart on the nose of our town. Amongst many other things, it leads to increased crime, the exploitation of vulnerable people, anti-social behaviour and impacts local businesses.

The big picture: Crimestoppers is emphasising that local knowledge is crucial in combating drug-related crime. The charity is encouraging people to be aware of the signs of drug dealing and to report any suspicions anonymously.

If your information leads to an arrest and charge, you'll be rewarded up to £1,000.

Key details:

  • Reports can be made via the Crimestoppers website or by calling 0800 555 111

  • The charity's UK Contact Centre is open 24/7, 365 days a year

  • Young people can visit Fearless.org to learn about the warning signs of drug crime

  • Crimestoppers offers rewards of up to £1,000 for information leading to an arrest and charge of drug dealers

Man holding two £10 notes
Earn up to £1,000 for providing information that leads to an arrest of a drug dealerGetty Images

Signs of drug dealing may include:

  • Unexplained new possessions

  • Increased visitors to a property

  • Changes in someone's behaviour or mood

  • "Cuckooing" - where criminals take over a home as a drug base

  • New and frequently changing residents

  • Closed curtains and increased rubbish or drug paraphernalia

  • Young people going missing or seeming uncomfortable in the area

What they're saying: Phil Breckon, Crimestoppers Eastern Regional Manager, said: "We can all play a part in looking out for and reporting signs of drugs activity in our neighbourhoods across Ipswich. We are asking people to be aware of the signs and appealing to everyone to help protect our communities by telling Crimestoppers anonymously what you know. We'll pass it on for you."

The bottom line: Crimestoppers guarantees 100% anonymity for all reports. In emergencies or for crimes in progress, residents should call 999.

You can find more information at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/news-campaigns/campaigns/help-make-ipswich-safer-from-illegal-drugs

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