THE Hope Centre has been awarded silver accreditation by Investors in People.

The recognition means that the right principles are in place at the St Helens charity.

But more than that, it also means people and leaders are making active efforts to ensure that there is real consistency and everyone in the organisation is feeling the effects.

Since opening its doors in 2004, the charity has developed its local support in many ways.

Taking over the local soup kitchen in 2004 and developing it into the locally respected homeless support service it is today.

Hope House, supports more than 350 people a year.

In 2012, the Hope Centre opened its first foodbank and before coronavirus it opened now opens its doors six days a week helping people in food poverty and offers direction to other local services – since issuing its first voucher the project has issued over 15,500 vouchers which means over 36,000 local people in need have been able to put food on their table.

Although known primarily for these two main projects the Hope Centre also supports families struggling to welcome baby home with its Baby Basics project, supports people coping with depression and anxiety with its Breathe Mental Health course, helps families during school holidays with its Make Lunch project and for those struggling with getting on-line safely it runs Digital Skills sessions.

Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate The Hope Centre.

"Silver accreditation on We invest in people is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places the Hope Centre in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”

Commenting on the award, Angela Metcalfe, Hope Centre’s Project Director, said: “without the dedication and teamwork of both staff and our amazing volunteers we would not be the service we provide.

"We are thrilled and delighted that our hard work has been recognised by IIP and this accreditation means such a lot to us all.”