Major funding awarded to Hope and Vision Communities to help buy the charity's first home for vulnerable women in Gloucester. 

Hope and Vision is are delighted to announce a £275,000 social investment from the Postcode Innovation Trust to establish Gloucester’s first dedicated women’s recovery community, creating safe, long-term accommodation for women rebuilding their lives after addiction and rehabilitation. 

Following a successful pitch to the funding panel, a seven-year repayment scheme was agreed, allowing the charity to work towards buying its first property.

Hannah Shead, Women's Housing Lead at Hope and Vision said: "This is wonderful news. Owning a property of our own will turn a recurring cost into a lasting asset, providing long-term security to the charity and in turn to the vulnerable women we provide accommodation to".  

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at Postcode Lottery said: "I'm delighted that Postcode Lottery players are supporting Hope and Vision Communities as they bring their innovative approach to Gloucester through the creation of their first dedicated women's recovery community. This is a charity truly shaped and led by lived experience and this funding will help vulnerable women access the safety, dignity and hope they need to rebuild their lives and look to the future with confidence".

A new property offers more than just a roof over someone’s head. It will provide a safe, supportive environment for women leaving rehabilitation, many of whom face very different challenges to men in addiction recovery. Women are more likely to have experienced trauma, domestic abuse, exploitation, or violence, and many are also navigating the pain of separation from their children. 

There is currently a shortage of safe, women-only housing for those leaving rehab, with just not enough provision to meet the need. Hope and Vision Communities new project will help bridge that gap by offering secure accommodation specifically designed around women’s recovery needs.  

Hannah Shead continued: "A key part of the initiative will focus on supporting the reunification of mothers and children, helping women rebuild family relationships and create stable futures for their families. We recognise that recovery is not only about overcoming addiction, but also about restoring dignity, safety, and connection." 

Hope and Vision Communities was founded by a former prisoner and already has a proven track record of supporting people overcoming addiction in Berkshire. Alongside accommodation, the charity provides wraparound support including recovery mentoring, wellbeing support, volunteering opportunities and employability training to help residents move towards independence. 

The charity asked ten women currently in recovery living in short-term recovery housing what difference it would make to them if they had access to safe, stable, supported housing. One woman said: "It would be life-changing for me and my son – it would give us a sense of peace and security. It would allow me to focus on personal growth, my relationship with him, and achieving my goals. I could build a routine. I could establish a support network and work towards a brighter future." 

The impact of a women's community in Gloucester goes beyond housing. Offering wrap-around support and access to a range of purposeful activities enables residents to thrive and begin positively engaging in life again. Each personal and social impact also has a financial implication, resulting in significant savings to the wider public purse. Early, prudent, projections for the women’s community are a Social Return on Investment (SORI) of 6. 

Another way of looking at this, is that for every £1 spent on the Women’s Community, £6 is saved elsewhere. 

For many women in recovery, trauma and violence are at the root of their addiction. At the heart of their recovery, therefore, is safety. By purchasing this property, Hope and Vision Communities will be able to create a secure, nurturing environment where women can find hope and rebuild their lives for a better future. 

The charity is now looking for landlords in Gloucester who have two-bedroom properties on the market to partner with them and create lasting change in the community. For more information or to discuss potential properties, contact Hannah Shead, Women’s Housing lead: Hannah(at)hopeandvision.org.uk / 07888 855 578 

Become part of this story. Join the Hope and Vision Communities Women's Group on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/940873625498726/

For more information, or to arrange an interview contact:

Hannah Shead, Women’s Housing lead: hannah(at)hopeandvision.org.uk / 07888 855 578