HOPE INTO ACTION

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A PARTNERSHIP
between
Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) church in Sawston and Hope into Action Charity

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Background:  At the OLOL Church Annual General Meeting in May 2016, following a presentation about the 'Hope into Action' (HiA) charity a group of parishioners led by Kevin McMullen established a partnership with 'Hope into Action'.

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What is Hope into Action?  Hope into Action is a Peterborough based charity, which provides homes for the most vulnerable people in society in partnership with local churches. Typically the residents of the houses are people who were previously homeless, ex-prisoners or refugees. The church community makes a commitment to support and befriend the residents. As the charity website states: 'Our model is built on the belief that when people have a safe, secure home surrounded by loving, non-judgemental relationships they will find the strength and motivation to make positive life choices'.

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What has happened so far:  The OLOL befrienders group along with Sawston Free Church members have been in involved in supporting residents who were homeless in the Cambridge area and refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

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What are the practicalities of this partnership with HIA?

For about 10-years through this successful HiA partnership the OLOL befrienders group and local community have generously given their time in supporting the residents, raised funds (including the Rita Walter Legacy Fund) and assisted in sourcing of furniture for the HiA houses. Through this work our church and the local community are providing a home and a support network to help rebuild vulnerable lives.