It's Volunteers' Week! We are so grateful for all our wonderful volunteers who serve in a myriad of ways! Last year over 180 people volunteered! We'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has helped from street outreach to cooking, from events to chaplaincy.

"Cooking side by side in a different environment breaks down day-to-day work barriers and allows us to collaborate in a personal, meaningful way. The best thing is that we are helping others while developing as a team." Read more about volunteering with your colleagues at newhope.org.uk/newsletter

"Really enjoying the swimming. Going most mornings. Going to start the gym when I get a bit fitter. It's really helping my recovery." Read how our partnership with Everyone Active is helping people with their physical and mental health! newhope.org.uk/newsletter

"Every day at the Sanctuary is like my first. Everyone is so nice, so friendly, they can't do enough to help." Please help transform lives by providing emergency accommodation at New Hope's Sanctuary. newhope.org.uk/hope

Thanks to Janaki and Croxley Delights for the bloomin' marvellous £350 raised from a very colourful plant sale on that scorching bank holiday Monday. Also a big thank you to Reg at Hillview Nurseries for supporting the sale with compost and plants.

Another pool tournament is underway at New Hope House! Our pool tables are a great way of getting residents together, forming a sense of community and helping staff develop positive relationships with people.

As it gets hotter people who are homeless need: 🌞 small bottles of water 🌞 sun cream 🌞 sun hats/caps If you can help with any of these summer essentials, please drop them off at the Haven, 4 Whippendell Road, Monday - Friday between 11am and 2pm. Thank you!

New Hope has a 24/7 homelessness helpline offering advice and emergency support. Please call if you are in Watford and worrying about homelessness or if you are concerned about someone who is experiencing homelessness. #watford #charity #homelessness

Could you volunteer in the New Hope shop in Croxley Green? Our Croxley shop raises funds by selling items kindly donated to New Hope. This income is crucial for our services which provide vital support to those who are rough sleeping or vulnerably-housed. www.newhope.org.uk/croxley-shop...

We held a Streetvet outreach clinic at the Haven recently. Five dogs attended (with their owners!) All given medication and flea treatments and four are booked in for other procedures. We hope that this clinic can run monthly to support the pets of people experiencing homelessness in our town.

"It’s nice to get away from it all and be outside for a bit” Two people currently staying in the Sanctuary Emergency Accommodation went on a walk with staff in Leavesden Country Park. Trips like this are so important to help people in their recovery from homelessness. Nature is a great healer!

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from May 11-17 aiming to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental wellbeing. We work directly with those in need, offering a safe, supportive environment where people can begin to rebuild confidence and feel less isolated.

It's a bit pants when you find out your supply of new underwear is dwindling. Do you think you could help us out? We need women's underwear size 8-10 as well as men's underwear (S-M) for people accessing our services. Give us a call on 01923 227 132 if you think you might be able to help out!

Great to have someone from Step2Skills in to visit the people living in New Hope House talking about gaining skills to move on in life and work.

"This is my favourite charity shop. They have a fantastic choice of books and all sorts of other things and the staff are amazing. It's an independent charity shop supporting a local charity and I pop in every time I go into town." A wonderful review on Google for our shop in Queens Road, Watford

We recently had a house plant care session at New Hope House in which residents cleaned the leaves of the plants, fed them, sprayed their leaves and removed dead growth. Caring for plants helps people care for themselves better and can increase empathy and emotional connections to other people.

Staff, volunteers and residents have been busy this week. We've emptied and taken down an old shed (let us know if you'd like to buy us a new one!), cleared ivy, and cut back some trees. It's so important for the residents to have a peaceful and beautiful place to engage in wellbeing activities.

Did you watch the London Marathon yesterday?! Wish you had taken part?! The ballot is OPEN and, if you get a place, you could run for New Hope! 💙 www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/ballot

Staff from the Tenancy Sustainment Team went off in the van yesterday, delivering furniture to someone who has recently moved into their own home! Often when someone moves into accommodation, it is completely bare so we love being able to help provide people with the essentials they need.

We love seeing people move from New Hope accommodation into their own homes! And currently, we have three people preparing to leave HopeHomes to move into their own flats! From homelessness to independent living!

Huge thanks to Bombay Kitchen in Croxley Green for their fundraiser for New Hope! Over £2,000 was raised to help people experiencing homelessness!

www.newhope.org.uk/news/2026/4/... A powerful report in The Guardian shines a light on the sharp rise in homelessness among people aged 55 and over. This is fast becoming one of the defining social challenges of our time - one that is playing out nationally and in communities such as our own.

This photo is of a kindness art project created with six people who stayed at the Watford Winter Shelter. Participants were invited to choose words and images reflecting what “kindness“ means and how they have experienced it at New Hope. It is mounted on the wall upstairs at the winter shelter.

"Not long before, I had been well-to-do, used to having cars, a home and a business." "Now I had no car, no business, no home, and I was sleeping most nights in a bush." Listen to Craig's story at newhope.org.uk/listen

Thank you to this lovely lady who gave £15 to New Hope for Project Home. Project Home is a fund to help people as they move into their own homer. People often move at very short notice and have nothing - no bed, microwave, kettle, chairs. Nothing. Read more at www.newhope.org.uk/projecthome

Huge congratulations to the team at the Sanctuary for gaining a five star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ food hygiene rating. The Sanctuary is home to our Emergency Accommodation service, providing a safe place to stay for up to 25 people every night.

What best to do with a huge donation of fresh fruit? Thanks to the great idea from one of New Hope's casual workers, people coming to the Haven for breakfast today have had the choice to have a tasty smoothie full of vitamins to go with their meal and set them up for the day.

During the past four months, 56 different people slept at Watford Winter Shelter! "It was wonderful, being surrounded by nice people. They gave me advice, made me feel welcome and were always ready to listen to what I wanted to say. It was a very positive experience for me.”

One of our incredibly talented support workers has painted some new art for the Haven! All part of making the building feel homely, safe and welcoming for people coming in off the streets 💙

We are celebrating 36 years of New Hope! 💙🎂 Join us to celebrate on Wednesday evening at St Luke's Church, Watford! Although New Hope has grown over the years, our heart has not changed. We are still very much a local charity dependent on the community for volunteers and support.

Thank you to regular corporate volunteers Myers Clark for cooking breakfast at the Haven this morning! 😋 Myers Clark help out a couple of times a month cooking meals at both the Haven and the Sanctuary which is a HUGE help to our staff teams.

Another wonderful Google review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Excellent support services at the Emergency Accommodation at New Hope"

The Cultivate service supports people recovering from mental health difficulties, addiction and homelessness. It offers a therapeutic and practical approach to recovery to help rebuild confidence, contentment, collaborative working and independence.

The Watford Homeless Health Needs Audit Report stated that 85% of respondents had more than one physical health condition/diagnosis and the most common condition is dental issues, affecting 61% of respondents.

Our Tenancy Sustainment Team helps people move from homelessness into their own homes - then supports them to keep them. Team members provide practical support and by helping with bills, tenancy paperwork, and integration into community life, TST reduces the risk of returning to homelessness.

The Recovery Service provides abstinence-based supported accommodation for single adults recovering from addiction. It offers tailored support plans while residents stay in a stable, supportive environment, working towards independent, addiction-free living.

Last month, 12 people moved on positively from their accommodation! This included people moving from the Watford Winter Shelter to longer-term accommodation, such as our Emergency Accommodation service, and people moving from HopeHomes into their own independent homes!

"I like it here, I have to. For me there is nothing else. The food is good, the beds are warm and the staff are very friendly. " When temperatures drop and the streets become dangerous, the Watford Winter Shelter provides a bed, safety, dignity, connection, and a pathway towards long-term change.

Just 2 weeks to go! On Friday 27 February, we’ll be coming together under the lights at Vicarage Road Stadium for a night that truly makes a difference. Don’t miss out – register now and be part of something special: register.enthuse.com/ps/event/Sta...

The Watford Homeless Health Needs Audit Report reported high levels of food insecurity, with 29% of respondents eating just one meal a day, and 49% eating two meals a day. This is why the Haven's healthy and nutritious breakfasts and lunches are vital!

In partnership with the council, we run the Watford Winter Shelter offering warmth and nourishment during the harsh winter months. Guests receive a hot meal, a bed, access to hygiene facilities, and support from staff and volunteers - including help moving onto longer-term housing.

A heartfelt thank you to our Premier Sponsors for this year’s Stadium Sleep Out! Your support helps us unite our community, raise funds for five incredible charities and shine a light on an issue that affects far too many. There’s still time to sign up now ➡️ register.enthuse.com/ps/event/Sta...

The recently completed Watford Homeless Health Needs Audit Report revealed that registration with GP services is high, with 90% of respondents registered with a GP and 40% with a specialist homeless healthcare service.

The wonderful staff and volunteers at the Haven provide hot breakfasts, takeaway lunches, showers, laundry facilities and clean clothes - the basic essentials to preserve dignity and health. We also offer housing advice, help with benefits, medical referrals, and referrals to support services.

Date for your diary! 📆 New Hope was launched on 23rd March 1990 and so every spring, we gather together to give thanks for the work of New Hope 💙 This year's celebration is on Wednesday 25th March at St Luke's Church, Watford at 7.30pm with refreshments served at the end of the service.

Join the Stadium Sleep Out on 27 February for a unique night sleeping under the lights to support those who face every night without a home and raise vital funds for local homelessness charities. Register at register.enthuse.com/ps/event/Sta...

You may see our Outreach Plus team out on the streets of Watford, providing support at all hours, aiming to form trusting relationships and offer food, refreshments, and toiletries. Many people are helped into priority accommodation, giving them a safe path off the streets.

The Sanctuary Pool Tournament has begun! Five residents took part and three have gone through to the semi-final! "Great! It was good fun! A good laugh" "I enjoyed the atmosphere with all the other people as it cheered them up as otherwise they would be in their rooms. It cheered me up too."

New Hope has published a health audit (written in conjunction with Homeless Link). People experiencing homelessness in Watford are too often unable to access health care services which is impacting their quality of life and life expectancy. Read more at www.newhope.org.uk/healthaudit