17 August 2026
For someone moving into permanent accommodation after experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, getting the keys to a new home is a significant moment. But a safe place to live is only the beginning. Having food in the cupboards, toiletries in the bathroom, bedding on the bed and basic household essentials can make the difference between simply moving in and being able to sustain a tenancy.
That is where Hope for Food is making a difference in BCP.
For more than 12 years, the charity has been supporting people experiencing hardship in the local community. While food remains at the heart of its work, Hope for Food has steadily diversified what it offers so that it can provide more comprehensive support to the same people.
One of its most important services is its move-in packs, provided to people who have been supported into permanent accommodation.
The packs contain basic essentials to help someone get started in their new home, including food and household items. The charity’s family team also responds to referrals for clothing, bedding and other household essentials.
For someone who may be starting again with very little, these practical items can be invaluable.
Hope for Food receives referrals from professionals working with people who need support. Referrals can come from GPs, Citizens Advice, midwives, social services and other professionals. The process is deliberately straightforward: all that is needed is a name, after which the charity can provide six food parcels containing essential cupboard items, with access to perishable food where available.
The charity buys food every week to meet demand, while also making the most of surplus donations from supermarkets and other organisations, including Bidfood in Downton and County Foods on Poole. Country Fair also makes regular donations, with additional food donated when available.
But the need extends well beyond food.
The family team provides clothing, bedding and household items, toiletries (including donations from Lush), and cleaning products. The charity can provide toys and other gifts to help families and vulnerable groups at Christmas.
The demand for move-in packs is currently greater than the charity’s resources can comfortably meet, making financial donations particularly important.
Hope for Food also supports people before and during the transition into accommodation through its community food provision. It runs two soup kitchens each week: one on Thursdays under the Braidley Road flyover and a Sunday sit-down meal at St Andrew’s United Reformed Church.
The numbers demonstrate the level of need. During a recent Sunday, 115 people attended the meal, while 78 people came along on the Thursday.
Alongside its weekly food provision, Hope for Food provides regular support to hostels. Once a month, the charity supplies a series of local hostels with food and other useful supplies.
The work takes a considerable amount of organisation and relies heavily on volunteers and donations. Its premises are another significant ongoing cost. The charity’s lease has recently increased by 25%, taking the annual cost to around £35,000.
Despite these pressures, the focus remains firmly on meeting the needs of local people.
After more than a decade serving the community, the charity has evolved to meet changing needs. What started as a response to food poverty has grown into a wider network of practical support, helping people not only through periods of crisis, but also as they take important steps towards greater stability and independence.
For someone moving into a home of their own, a food parcel, a set of bedding or a bag of toiletries may seem like small things. But together, they can provide comfort, dignity and the foundations for a fresh start. Because securing a tenancy is only the beginning. Having the essentials to turn four walls into a home can make all the difference.
You can find out more about the charity and how to donate via their website: www.hopeforfood.org.uk
