At Faithworks we passionately believe in coming alongside others to provide support where it is really needed.  We believe there is always Hope. Hope to get debt free, Hope to rebuild self-confidence as a lone parent, Hope to get off the street and find a home, work and a new community, Hope to break-free from addiction and habits, HOPE to feed your family, learn cookery skills and even teach the children to cook….

Thanks to 38 staff and over 270 volunteers, Faithworks Wessex runs projects to practically help people and focus our work on those at key transition points of life: rough-sleepers, those in addiction recovery, lone parents, those in material crisis (food) and debt or financial confusion.

Why the community needs us
Here’s an example of what can happen: Poppy was removed from her home of 10 years due to being endangered through domestic violence. She was placed in emergency accommodation and, having left all her possessions behind, came to Poole Food Bank with nothing except the clothes that she was wearing. We provided food, emotional support and signposted her for help with benefits and accessing clothing. Poppy regularly returned to the Food Bank to chat with the volunteers over coffee. Gradually we saw her confidence and self-esteem restored. Poppy now has her life back on track and says she is ‘doing great’! She is now volunteering with the Food Bank two days a week, where she is a huge support to both visitors and other volunteers.

Our impact on the community
Last year we helped over 8,000 people get out of crisis or stop getting into crisis! Our foodbanks have provided more than 5,450 food parcels feeding over 12,800 mouths.  Our debt team have supported clients with debt totaling over £1m, working on average with 20 clients each month and have helped 21 clients become free from debt.  This last winter Sleepsafe provided 1,500 hot meals to guests over 24 weeks and helped 42 guests (76%) find a more secure home off the street, before Covid-19 lock-down.  176 people have been supported through our recovery project, including 125 through the Recovery Course.