Crisis Centre

BIG LOTTERY FUND SUPPORTS HOPE'S CRISIS CENTRE.

Katie, our fundraising volunteer

The newly opened Crisis Centre can provide people in need with free (or inexpensive) furniture, food, or clothing.

The Centre is open to anyone who is facing a crisis, for example a drastic loss of income, escaping domestic violence, house fire or burglary: we are very flexible. Here are some comments from users of the service:

"I am 68, disabled and I've got no savings. My bed broke and I couldn't afford a new one. I felt really embarassed when I contacted HOPE but the staff there were lovely, I didnt feel like I was getting charity. They got me a new bed and helped me claim a disability premium to go with my pension, I'm still waiting to hear about that, but they were great."

"I left in just the clothes I was wearing - I couldn't chance him seeing me. Women's Aid put me in touch with the Crisis Centre and they provided me with some clean clothing and a food parcel to keep me going. That made such a difference."

"I had just got made redundant from my job, I'd never been a saver, I never expected to need to save for anything. I applied for JSA but it was taking ages. I didnt have any food, it was that long. CAB rang the Crisis Centre and I went round and they gave me a food parcel to keep me going. The staff who work there are really nice, if you need something desperately they will help you."

Many people come to HOPE having experienced a crisis of some sort, during our initial meeting we can help the client if they need other assistance for example registering with a GP, help with Welfare Benefit claims, housing or debt advice. If you could benefit from this service contact us details are at the bottom of this page.

VOLUNTEERS AND WORK PLACEMENTS
Our volunteers are very important to us, we try to ensure anyone who volunteers or chooses to do their work placement with us gets as much out of the experience as possible (see under learning and work for recent achievments). Here are a couple of their stories:
"I volunteer at HOPE four days a week, helping to sort out food and personal hygiene packs to give to people who haven't got anything. I used to work in retail before I did this and had no experience other than life experience. I wish people would come and see the work that goes on here, really see for themselves what the clients are like, they certainly aren't what I expected. Some people see a drunk in the street and think he's one of HOPE's, I think if they came and saw for themselves their stereotypical images would change dramatically."
"I got made redundant several years ago. I decided I would improve my career prospects and studied health and social care related subjects at college for a couple of years. I applied for a number of jobs, but although I was qualified for the positions for which I applied, I was unable to get a job because I didnt have any hands on experience. My tutor at college suggested I did some voluntary work and that's when I contacted HOPE. I have volunteered in all parts of HOPE over the last year. I was given additional training in First Aid, Working with mental health, drug and alcohol awareness, professional boundaries, all sorts of stuff. Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund the Crisis Centre was established and a paid vacancy came up at HOPE. I am now the Crisis Centre Co-ordinator, and I love my job."

CONTACT

Toni - Crisis Centre Co-ordinator
01909 531294 ext 29
e mail: crisiscentre@hopeservices.org.uk