Skip to main contentEnter

Homelessness charity offers grants up to £15,000 for local projects

News

Hopestead, a part of Flagship Group, has launched its fourth round of 'Hope Funds', offering grants up to £15,000 for charities and social enterprises tackling homelessness in East Anglia.

Why it matters: The fund aims to support organisations that prevent homelessness, increase housing options, or reduce its impact on children amid increasing pressure on local services.

Representatives of charities and groups that benefitted from funding in round three of Hope Funds
Representatives of charities and groups benefitted from funding in round three of Hope Funds. Round four of the Hopestead campaign has now opened for applications.Hopestead

The big picture: Applications are open to registered charities, social enterprises, and community groups in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire until 30 August.

By the numbers:

  • Up to £150,000 will be awarded in total this round

  • Previous rounds have supported over 30 charities

  • More than 29,000 people have been helped so far

What they're saying: Marie-Claire Delbrouque, Hopestead's chief executive, said: "This campaign is needed now more than ever with those working locally in the homelessness sector telling us their services are oversubscribed, overwhelmed and underfunded."

Julia Hanock, charity manager at Selig Suffolk, added: "We are working on a project to end homelessness through employment, and the Hopestead funding is helping us to subsidise people's rent while they're working."

How to apply: Visit www.hopestead.org/apply-for-funding or email weare@hopestead.org for more information.

The bottom line: Hopestead aims to end homelessness in the East of England by tackling its root causes and building long-term, sustainable solutions through partnerships with like-minded organisations.

Former Ipswich Town striker charged in £600k cannabis smuggling case

News

Former Ipswich Town striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with attempting to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through a UK airport.

The big picture: The 33-year-old, who spent two seasons at Portman Road from 2011 to 2013, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers in Scotland following the seizure of approximately 60kg of the drug at Stansted airport.

Jay Emmanuel Thomas playing for Ipswich Town
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas playing for TownAlamy

Key details:

  • Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, was arrested Wednesday in Gourock, Inverclyde.

  • He's accused of attempting to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted airport.

  • Border Force officers found approximately 60kg of the drug in two suitcases from Bangkok.

  • Emmanuel-Thomas is set to appear at Carlisle magistrates court Thursday, charged with importing class B drugs.

60kg of cannabis
60kg of cannabis was seizedNCA

JET's Ipswich career: The journeyman joined Ipswich in 2011 for £1.1m from Arsenal, scoring nine goals in 75 appearances for the Tractor Boys. He left Ipswich in 2013 in a swap deal with Bristol City. He most recently played with Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship.

The bottom line: The NCA warns that cannabis smuggling into the UK carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence, contradicting misinformation some couriers receive about facing only fines.

Load next article