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