Agenda item

The Hope Hub

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation from Mags Mercer the Chief Executive of the Hope Hub, a registered charity working to prevent and end homelessness in the Borough and surrounding areas.  Hope stood for Holistic, Open to all, Person centred and Empowering.

 

Members noted the sources of funding received by the Hope Hub.  Moving facilities had allowed the Hope Hub to improve its services, which included crisis services such as the provision of food and empowerment services such as money management advice.  The Committee was informed the number clients who had accessed the service in 2018/19 and between April and September 2019 and the outcomes in help provided.

 

A number of projects would be undertaken this year, such as the Cooking for Hope Courses.  In the longer term it was planned to develop partnering with the Council in the Supporting Homeless Strategy.

 

The Committee was advised that the Hope Hub had received many commendations from clients and the Council was urged to continue to support their work.

 

Arising from questions and comments from Members the following points were noted:

 

·         The Hub relied heavily on volunteers to keep up with increasing demand. 

·         The Hub proposed to apply for a revenue grant from the Council and would sign up to a 3 year service level agreement.

·         The Hope House provide short term shelter for Surrey Heath residents for those who had no access to public funds whilst the Hub sought solutions.

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The Committee thanked Mags Mercer for her interesting and informative presentation.

 

 

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