Hope House praised for 'amazing' work for the homeless in St Helens

Hope House, located on Corporation Street in St Helens town centre, is an arm of the Hope Centre organisation that supports homeless people or those at risk of homelessness.

Providing a wide-ranging support network, Hope House offers those in difficult situations a free breakfast, lunch, cups of tea, and a supportive ear to chat.

Aiming to get people into supported or permanent accommodation, they also offer benefits and housing advice, and provide a safe place where people can shower and wash their clothes.

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Susanne and Clare escaped abusive relationships before coming to Hope House (Image: St Helens Star)

"We would be lost without this place"

"It's a home from home", Susanne tells me, who didn't want her last name published.

Originally from Warrington, Susanne has been supported by Hope House for more than ten years after moving into St Helens YMCA accommodation following an abusive relationship.

Susanne, 54, who now lives in a Torus flat in the town centre, said: "I love coming [to Hope House] because they'll do anything for you.

"If you're hungry, they'll feed you. If you've run out of gas or electric, they'll offer you a voucher. Or if you just want a chat, they are there for you.

"I come here every day and we would all be lost without this place."

Schoolkids Mason Hill and Ellie Turner dropped Christmas presents off at Hope House last week (Image: St Helens Star)

Susanne's friend, Clare, also escaped an abusive relationship and similarly comes to Hope House for support every day.

After living on the streets during the pandemic and "almost dying from covid", she said she is eternally grateful for the support that Hope House offers.

Clare, 47, who also lives in a Torus flat, said: "I've spent weeks living on the streets and it's horrible.

"There wasn't a lot of help during the pandemic so I make sure I come here every day because the staff help you with any problem you have.

"I don't have any family in St Helens and didn't know anyone when I came here, so if it wasn't for this place, I don't know what I'd do."

Julie Hand (left), with volunteer Bernie, and cook Diane (Image: St Helens Star)

A place to give people self-worth

Susanne and Clare are just two of the thousands of people Hope House has supported over the last 15 years, manager Julie Hand told me.

With service users often suffering from addictions or mental health problems, Julie said it is the job of Hope House to give them self-worth and help them into supported or permanent accommodation.

She said: "Hope House is a place where we will lend a supportive ear and give people some pride and self-worth.

"There are such a variety of people who come in for help, but we have seen a real increase in mental health and addiction problems over the last few years.

"For some people, it's really difficult to get out of this cycle and get to the place where they can live on their own without assistance or support."

David Doyle, who lost his home and marriage after suffering with addiction and alcoholism (Image: St Helens Star)

One of those struggling with addiction is David Doyle, who has worked as a chef up and down the country.

After suffering from addiction and alcoholism, David's marriage broke down and he later spent time in prison.

Moving to St Helens in March, he said the support from Hope House is something you "don't get anywhere else".

David, 44, said: "I suffer from PTSD, ADHD, and addiction problems, but this place is my comfort blanket.

"I come in every day and they are just lovely people here, who are really supportive.

"I'm hoping to get back into work eventually, but I want to come back and volunteer when I can and help with the free meals.

"It's incredible what they do here and you don't get this kind of support anywhere else."

Julie with Hope Centre project director Angela Metcalfe, Mayor of St Helens Cllr Sue Murphy, and Cllr Jeanie Bell (Image: Cllr Sue Murphy)

Giving people hope

Although the cost of living crisis has posed difficulties with the amount of food donations coming in, Julie said that they "always manage to pull through".

With generous donations from residents and good relationships with similar organisations, the team will never be unable to offer service users a meal or support, Julie said.

She added: "We are blessed here, to be honest. We have a cracking team of volunteers and are supported so much by the community and other organisations.

"This is what we are here to do; to accommodate as much as we can and really offer hope to people."

For more information about Hope House and the Hope Centre, you can visit the website here.