NEWS
Here we have all the latest details of the Trust including downloadable versions of the annual report and the most recent newsletters
Latest News
A really big thank you to Marks and Spencer's Watford and all our volunteers. A really big thank you to everyone at Marks and Spencer's for their support and to all of our wonderful volunteers. |
![]() |
Thank you for sleeping out! |
![]() |
Thank you Andreas Lackner and Hilton in the Community Foundation Andreas works for Hilton hotels and undertook his sponsored event to support the work of the Hilton in the Community Foundation. As part of the Foundations remit they can donate 50% of the sponsorship to a local charity. Mr. Lockner and his colleagues chose Watford New Hope Trust because of the work we do to support homeless people and in particular younger homeless people in Watford. |
![]() |
Watford New Hope Trust included in St Albans Abbey Mission Giving Allocation 2009 |
![]() |
HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS The art workshops have provided the clients with an amazing opportunity to work alongside professional artists learn and develop artistic skills and express themselves in a creative way. To celebrate the success of these workshops HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS a Watford New Hope Trust Exhibition is taking place at The Visual Arts Centre, Watford Grammar School for Girls, Lady's Close, Watford, Herts. WD18 0AE from 3rd to 25th February 2009 opening hours Monday to Thursday from 4pm to 8pm. We would encourage everyone to come along to this free event. |
![]() |
M&S Support Trust for Homelessness Sunday |
Bag Packing Goes Cracking! The Harlequin based store was jam packed with last minute buyers, who were very appreciative to have some extra help bagging their turkey and sprouts! Between 10am and 5pm, all 8 till points were used to raise valuable money for Watford New Hope Trust, where volunteers could be clearly seen, by their warm smiles, and bright white, fetching T-shirts! (As is now tradition, director Mike was once again with a hat!) Well done, and a big thank you to all those who helped on the day, not forgetting Lee, and Margaret, and the M&S team, who invited us for the day. |
![]() |
Warm response to cold Sleep Out "Party time seems a funny name for a sleep-out to support the cause of homeless people. Last Friday night was just that – party time. Despite the rain, the temperature, and perhaps because of the ever-present floodlights, the chatting went on until 03:00. Earlier in the night my sleep had been disturbed by a ruck of screaming kids playing touch rugby by my feet. As I was now wide awake, I glanced round and was taken aback to see a giant 20’ monster jumping along the nave wall. I am generally a quick-witted guy but, at that time in the morning, it took me a little time to realise it was no more than a kid in a sleeping bag bouncing between groups; enlarged by the floodlights. "I appreciate afresh how hard it is for anyone to have to sleep rough. We had a secure compound, the right equipment, were well fed and could get warm if we needed so how anyone survives night after night in the winter without shelter I can’t imagine." "I was so tempted to take something to numb the pain of cold, noise, bright lights and feeling downright shabby! Just an innocent brandy or two! And that's when I realised how easy it must be for those sleeping rough to succumb to a slippery slope of worn down, drugged out escapism. Homelessness is not a boy scout challenge. It's a last resort that would dismantle even the best of us. Thankfully it was just one night for 300+ brave individuals, and we made the best of it!" Well done to all those who took part, and supported the charities involved. Keep an eye on the Autumn Schedule of the Events Page, if you would like to join in for Sleep Out 2009. |
![]() ![]() |
Staff Changes across our projects this Autumn Congratulations and welcome to James Wilson who has taken on the role of TST manager. Also, congratulations to Yordan Zhekov, Sharon Boultbee and John Banks. Yordan has taken on the role of Housing Management Supervisor at New Hope House, Sharon has recently started in her new post as Senior Project Worker at the Community Home and John has been appointed as Service User Supervisor at New Hope House. All the best to you in your new posts. A few farewells: Sadly we have had to say goodbye to Andrew Tranter, Elaine Dean, Lauren Wilkinson and Riley Fisher. We wish you all the best as you move on and thank you for your years of hard work that you have given to the Trust. |
Abseil is a leap of faith The weather was warm and sunny for all those taking part. However it was not just their fear of heights the participants had to overcome to do the abseil but also confined spaces as they had to first climb up steep, spiral, stone staircase to reach the church tower. Those who took part included a large group from Ascend, who were sharing the event, several staff members from Vinci and a very brave lady, Pam Reynolds, with cerebral palsy who did an assisted abseil. Thank you to all our courageous supporters! |
![]() |
Big Herts Walk Three local charities including the Trust are to benefit from the event which is promoted by Sigma Pharmaceuticals and sponsored by numerous local companies. Also participating on the day was Watford MP, Claire Ward who helped to found the walk three years ago and completed it on Sunday with her husband John and baby Oliver. The walk included a 3k circuit for those with children or less able to do the 10k two hour walk. Many did the full 10k walk and the first people across the line finished impressively under 2 hours. |
Fun, Sun, 'Thunder & Lightning' make the perfect Community Home Holiday! Staying near Hale, in a 6 bedroom, self-catering farm house was the 'perfect' way for the 6 clients, and 5 staff to spend a week away from the Community Home. Manager Rob Edmonds was delighted with the trip; 'Some of the guys were a little apprehensive in coming, but didn't stop smiling and laughing all week.' And Rob's favourite part of the holiday; 'Thunder & Lightning' Cornish cream teas, with swirls of syrup, fantastic!' With such energetic days, and competitive evenings at the 'in house' pool table, the normal need for alcohol vanished, with the Clients continuing back at the Community Home with non-alcoholic beer; 'We're probably now the only dry 'Wet House' in the country,' commented project worker Riley Fisher; 'The marked change we've seen in the guys, since the trip is amazing.' A dose of sea air, and some overdue sun burn was obviously just the ticket for the guys at the Community Home. Maybe if someone had suggested they cast their nets over the other side... |
![]() |
Big Herts Walk 2008 This beautiful 10K walk and 3K childrens walk through Cassiobury park on Sunday 14th September starts at 12:00pm at Cha Cha Cha cafe. There will also be medals, prizes and live music with a range of children's entertainment. This year we have even more support from our sponsors who include Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Camelot, Total, The Mothercare Foundation and Telecom Resource. So join in the fun a please visit the Big Herts Walk website to register! |
![]() |
Car Boot Success There is still another £750 to find to pay for the holiday so another car boot sale is planned. All donations are welcome. Please contact Rob on 01923 334083 or at redmonds@wnht.org if you can help. |
![]() |
Winning Homelessness Poems Years 7-9 have been looking at the issue of homelessness and poverty in Britain. Mike Smith gave an informative talk in assembly and pupils continued their work in lessons. They were then asked to submit work for a competition for which they had to create an empathetic poem or story; the winners were taken to the Trust, where they visited most of our projects. The winners then presented an assembly to the rest of the school. The poems are now available on our new Poetry page. |
![]() |
A Grand Day Out The event was held at the Watford New Hope Trust Community Home and visitors had the opportunity to see our beautiful Market Garden in full swing as well as demonstrations and produce from our Wood and Furniture Recycling Scheme. Please visit the Gallery for some pictures of the day. |
![]() |
Sweet Pea Plants Now Available Please ring Elaine on 01923 831923 to place your order. Delivery service available. |
![]() |
Market Garden & Furniture Recycling Open day As well as the opportunity to see our beautiful Market Garden in full swing we will have demonstrations and produce from our Wood and Furniture Recycling Scheme. Please RSVP to Elaine Dean - 01923 831923 or John Swallow - 01923 800028. |
![]() |
Congratulations to |
![]() |
and Welcome to |
![]() |
A big thanks to We would also like to thank all churches for their ongoing prayers for the Trust. |
![]() |
Urgent Request |
![]() |
A big thank you to St Andrew's Church in Chorleywood who recently sent us £7000 as part of their Christmas Collections, Also our Christmas Campaign this year has seen a return of over £8000 in total in addition to the previous donations so a big thanks to all our individual supporters. |
![]() |
Mental Health at The Haven To find out more about this complex subject the following
websites are an excellent resource. |
![]() |
Janet Hosier - An Inspiration Janet Hosier died peacefully on Thursday 14th February after a long illness which only incapacitated her during her final days. Janet was instrumental in developing Watford New Hope Trust for over 17 years as a volunteer. She did pioneering work amongst the homeless of Watford in the late 80's, even to the point of inviting them into her home. With Sheila Meaning, also a founder member of the Trust, they obtained two coaches with land to put them on (where the Haven Day Centre is today) to continue their 'mission of compassion' with food, clothing and support to the homeless. Janet was inspired by the words in Isaiah 58 verse 7 'What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad…' Janet Hosier Thanksgiving Service: |
![]() |
Spring Newsletter Now Out Included in the Newsletter is a special section about co-founder and trustee Janet Hosier who sadly passed away on 14th February 2008. Her story is told in the autobiography 'Entertaining Angels'. For more details on the book please see the following article. |
![]() |
Entertaining Angels in the shops now As well as being available from Watford New Hope Trust's Charity Shop in Queens Road, Watford or at Amazon UK it is now also available at Borders in Watford and London Colney. Entertaining Angels is published by Kingsway All proceeds from the book go to |
![]() |
Big Herts Walk Success These donations are proceeds from the 2007 Big Herts Walk held in Cassiobury Park in September. More than 200 people turned up to take part in the walk which included a 10k route and a shorter 3k route. Over £24,000 was raised from the walk and split between Watford Mencap, The Peace Hospice and Watford New Hope Trust. Claire Ward, Patron of the Big Herts Walk, said: 'Barat and I are delighted to be able to award these donations. Each of the 3 charities does invaluable work within our community and we'd like to thank everyone who took part in the Big Herts Walk for raising money to support them. We encourage everyone to put the date for the 2008 walk in their diaries - Sunday 14th September'. The Big Herts Walk committee would like to thank the sponsors of the walk, Total, Camelot, Sigma and Telecom Resource. (source - Big Herts Walk publicity team) For more details on this years event please email Pete Belfield at pbelfield@wnht.org. |
![]() |
Healthy eating at The Haven Healthier Eating - Government If you would like to make a donation to The Haven day centre to support the Healthy Eating campaign please call Wade Dingle on |
![]() |
In need of advice & support? If you would like to recommend any websites that you feel may be beneficial for the Advice and Support section please email suggestions to wnht.info@googlemail.com |
![]() |
Congratulations to There is now a vacancy for assistant manager at The Sanctuary and for full details please visit out Vacancies page. |
![]() |
Another Sleepout Success For the full story of the evening please have a look at the Sleepout press release. There are now some photographs of the event available in the Gallery. |
![]() |
All Wrapped Up The 'Charity Gift Wrapping Day' will take place on Friday 21st December from 11am to 9pm located between Marks and Spencer and The Disney Store. Money raised will not only go to the Trust but Barclays will also match the proceeds and The Harlequin are providing the wrapping paper and ribbons. Volunteers are required to help with the event for shifts of 2 - 3 hours. If you can help please email Sian Rolls at srolls@wnht.org or call 01923 210680. |
![]() |
Charity Shop Christmas |
![]() |
































