Faith Hope and Enterprise was started in the eighties by Carl Taylor, who was passionate about social work and helping others.
It has steadily grown and now offers housing and assistance to 34 people experiencing homelessness in and around Derby, enabling them to overcome difficulties and build a brighter future.
Social Problem
People can experience the breakdown of social structures and find themselves homeless and alone for a variety of reasons. While some supported housing exists in the Derby area, putting a roof over someone’s head doesn’t necessarily take away their other difficulties and barriers.
Solution
Faith Hope and Enterprise operates a unique model, of which providing housing is just one element. Through building sustained, supportive relationships, they aim to really get to know each individual and their needs and to help them reconnect with positive, healthy life choices.
Loan
Two Charity Bank loans totalling £136,500 have helped the charity to purchase two properties. One is a house they already leased and the other is a new house that has enabled them to provide women-only accommodation.
Impact
Owning property has helped Faith Hope and Enterprise to look towards the future and build long-term security for both the charity and its residents. With loan repayments significantly less than rental charges, it has also freed up funds that can go back into the development of the charity and the wellbeing of residents.
"It didn’t feel like this was a purely monetary transaction for Charity Bank. They just understand and really get it. It really mattered to us that it wasn’t just about the money.
"Having a named, understanding manager like Peter Hughes was brilliant. With other organisations, where you have to deal with someone different every time, you don’t get that level of personalised interaction and it can make things difficult. Nurturing individual connections is what we do here at Faith Hope and Enterprise; that’s how I prefer to work and that’s how Charity Bank works too."
Kevin Gill, Chief Executive, Faith Hope and Enterprise
About Charity Bank
Charity Bank is the loans and savings bank owned by and committed to supporting the social sector. Since 2002, we have used our savers’ money to make more than 1,000 loans totalling over £300m to housing, education, social care, community and other social purpose organisations.
Nothing in this article constitutes an invitation to engage in investment activity nor is it advice or a recommendation and professional advice should be taken before any course of action is pursued.