March 2024

In this month's issue, we say a fond farewell to our Founder Nigel Adams, look back at what we've achieved in our latest Annual Report and celebrate the expansion of advice provision across our network...

Changing seasons...

Dear Iain,

Spring is in the air! After a very wet winter, days are getting longer, daffodils are out and the sun is even putting in an appearance here and there!

Spring is a season of new life and growth. As many of us look forward to celebrating Easter this weekend, we are reminded that new starts are possible for all of us - however dark our winters may have been.

We thank you for journeying with us to bring the green shoots of hope to those need it and wish you a very happy Easter.

"Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world."

Virgil Kraft

Farewell to our Founder

Nigel will always be part of Hope Nottingham and we are, of course, hugely sad to see him move on. However, we look forward to seeing what God has in store for him as he begins this new season. We are sure you'll join us in wishing him well.

Our latest Annual Report...

We are very pleased to present our Annual Report for June 2022 to June 2023 which you can read here.

We hope this captures the breadth and depth of work Hope Nottingham does across the city to inspire and grow communities of hope, making a difference in the lives of people in need. This is your report as much as it is ours; as without the continued support of our thousands of generous donors and hundreds of dedicated volunteers, none of what we do would be possible. So do take a read, and know that your generosity really does make a difference. Thank you for what you have enabled us to achieve together.

Expanding advice provision

We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bestwood Advice Centre to expand the provision of professional advisors into three more of our foodbanks. Beginning on 15th April, Bestwood Advice will be providing advice sessions for food bank users at Mount Zion foodbank (Tuesdays), Sneinton foodbank (Thursdays) and Meadows foodbank (Fridays). Funded through the Trussell Trust's Financial Inclusion Project, the advisors will be able to support food parcel recipients with benefit advice, help with housing and bills as well as signposting to further services such as debt advice.

This development builds on exisiting advice provision at our Beeston, Carlton, Aspley and Broxtowe foodbanks (provided by Citizens Advice Broxtowe, Step Forward, The Ark and Citizens Advice Nottingham ) also funded via the Trussell Trust. We have seen the very real benefit to guests referred to foodbanks, of receiving professional benefits advice on-site. We are delighted to be expanding this provision further and look forward to working with Bestwood Advice Centre to ensure we don't only provide emergency food support, but help to tackle the causes of hunger and poverty in our communities.

Welcome Martin...

We are very pleased to have Martin Buckle join our Board of Trustees.

Martin has a 30+ year career in commerce and industry, managing the delivery of change across a wide range of leading businesses in financial services, aerospace, communications and oil & gas.

He has been a trustee of a social enterprise in Nottingham city centre with a heart for changing the night time economy for the better, for offering café bar hospitality, and a stage for the performing arts. Martin has served as a borough councillor, with an interest in housing provision

Our fantastic Trustees are all unpaid volunteers and act as our governing body, being ultimately responsible for everything we do. You can read about them all here.

Spreading a little Easter joy...

Our emergency food parcels provide food for three days worth of nutritionally balanced meals. However we know it's often the little extras that really help bring hope to those struggling. Including something as simple as an Easter egg in a food parcel can make a real difference - particularly to struggling families. We'd like to thank all our donors who have so generously donated Easter eggs and gifts to our food banks - including our friends at Bags of Blessings, Forget-me-Notts, PWC and Mellish Ladies Rugby Team.

You can find out how to donate food and what items we currently need , here.

Pictured: Easter egg donations from Mellish Ladies RFC.

Calling any keen gardeners...

Following the success of our Tuesday allotment team at Beeston, we are looking to put together a new 'growing team' to work on our community allotment on Friday mornings. We are looking for volunteer team members and also a volunteer team leader who would be prepared to work alongside our existing Tuesday team for a short while to learn the ropes. If you are interested, or know someone who would be, you can get in touch here.

Hope House Community meal

Our next pay-what-you-can meal is on Tuesday 9th April at 6pm at Hope House, Beeston.

We'd love to see you there for a Spring-themed meal featuring spring risotto followed by chocolate cake! Let us know you are coming by calling on 0303 040 1110 or by email.

If you are interested in helping out by volunteering at these events, we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch (as above) for more information.

Final thoughts...

This month, as we reach the end of Lent and prepare to celebrate Easter, our reflection comes from Meryl, one of our fantastic volunteer befrienders. You can read her reflection on her journey through Lent here.

Hope Nottingham | 0303 040 1110 | www.hope-nottingham.org.uk