Hope Housing, Training & Support: A Culinary Revival in Bournemouth
Supporting Formerly Homeless Residents
In Bournemouth, the Hope Housing, Training & Support (HTS) organization is making a palpable difference in the lives of individuals who were once homeless. Through a generous grant of £6,000 from the BCP Food & Energy Fund, HTS is rolling out a transformative initiative aimed at providing ‘three seasons of support’ to its residents. This support is crucial given the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting communities nationwide.
A Timely Grant for Essential Services
The donation was funneled through the Dorset Community Foundation, and CEO Julie Berti has emphasized how critical this funding is at this particular moment. “The grant could not come at a better time and is already making an impact,” she remarked. Between now and March 2026, HTS will use this grant to enhance the lives of its residents, focusing on sustainable access to food and essential amenities.
Healthy Cooking Activities
From June 1 to August 31, 2025, the primary focus will be on ensuring residents have not only access to nutritious food but also the skills to prepare it. The weekly cooking sessions have proven to be particularly popular, and they enable residents to cultivate skills such as budgeting, meal planning, and shopping economically. “Our popular weekly cooking activities are enabling residents to learn valuable skills,” Julie explained, underscoring the holistic approach HTS takes to support their residents.
Behavioral Wellbeing Programs
In tandem with these cooking classes, HTS is offering mental health and well-being programs to tackle the emotional pressures and financial challenges faced by residents. Such initiatives recognize that well-being goes hand in hand with practical support—helping individuals regain their footing in a safe and supportive environment.
A Helping Hand for the Winter
As the seasons change, so too will the focus of the support provided by HTS. From September 1 to December 31, 2025, the grant will fund warm clothing, winter quilts, and energy-saving tips aimed at alleviating some of the burdens associated with colder months. Julie further noted that a winter hardship fund will assist residents in managing unexpected costs like heating bills and transportation expenses.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation
The cooking activities will not just continue; they will evolve to focus on the specific needs of winter, featuring budget-friendly, hearty meals that provide warmth and comfort. Furthermore, the new year will emphasize recovery and resilience, equipping residents with life skills that are designed to bolster their chances in the job market and future housing opportunities.
Culinary Learning with Teela Liberty-Spark
The cooking sessions are led by Teela Liberty-Spark, who champions an inclusive cooking environment. “The residents choose what they cook between them, and it’s very much a group effort,” Teela shared. The focus remains on creating wholesome meals using affordable ingredients, which can be conveniently batch-cooked to save both time and money. Foraging fruits from Hope’s gardens encourages a connection with nature while fostering a sense of community and shared accomplishment among residents.
Recipes for Empowerment
The initiative also empowers residents by providing them with recipe cards to take away. This additional resource ensures that they can replicate their newly acquired culinary skills both independently and with their peers. Resident Shannon articulated the value of cooking from scratch, stating, “Teela has a lot of knowledge, and it’s great to cook from scratch instead of relying on ready meals, which are more expensive.”
A Pathway to Health and Independence
The cooking sessions are not just about food; they symbolize a journey towards health and independence for HTS residents. As they develop confidence in their cooking abilities, they also cultivate a sense of pride and ownership over their meals—crucial factors in their journey toward self-sufficiency.
In a community where many face significant barriers, Hope HTS’s initiative exemplifies a shining beacon of support. The combination of practical skills, emotional well-being programs, and essential resources lays the groundwork for former homeless individuals to rebuild their lives, one meal at a time.