(Pictured from left to right: Suffolk Building Society Chief Executive Officer Richard Norrington, Emmaus Suffolk Chief Executive Officer Claire Staddon, Suffolk Building Society Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Newman)
Our Safe Homes for Suffolk campaign supports three charities: Lighthouse Women’s Aid, Ipswich Housing Action Group, and Emmaus Suffolk. Each supports people facing, or at risk of, homelessness or domestic abuse.
We joined one of our charity partners – Emmaus Suffolk – on World Homeless Day 2023 for an exciting announcement.
The charity unveiled ‘Hopestead Place’. This innovative extension to its housing offer comprises two modular homes. Hopestead Place will allow people to move on from supported housing, allowing them to enjoy the privacy of their own front door.
Hopestead Place will have a life span of 60 years, giving life-changing opportunities for many people in the future. The fully furnished, single occupancy homes are now ready for new Emmaus Suffolk residents. They include a living area, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. They are located on the site of The Royal Oak, Felixstowe Road in Ipswich.
Sir Terry Waite, president of Emmaus UK, cut the ribbon to officially open Hopestead Place. He was joined by supporters, stakeholders and partners from other local organisations. This included our Chief Executive Richard Norrington, and Chief Operating Officer, Rebecca Newman.
The new homes were funded by Hopestead, a charity aiming to end homelessness in the East of England. Hopestead believes that everyone deserves a place to call home. The modular units were built by Cambridgeshire-based charity New Meaning Foundation. The charity employs people who have experienced homelessness and provides them with training and work experience.
Richard Norrington, Society Chief Executive says “These modular homes will transform lives. They will give residents their own space and privacy. Seeing the culmination of two years of work that’s gone into creating these innovative homes was uplifting.
“It’s been a really collaborative effort from the third sector and the local business community. Since 2022 we’ve been supporting Emmaus Suffolk financially and through volunteering hours. Everyone at the Society wishes Hopestead Place’s new residents a well-deserved housewarming!”
