Hope Into Action Black Country (HIABC) was set up in 2017 and operated for four years. In June 2021, in agreement with HIAUK, Hope into Action Black Country became a managed franchise where Merylen was appointed as the Lead coordinator for Hope into Action Black Country. This was for a period of time to enable Merylen to transition HIABC from a managed franchise back into an independent franchise. Merylen is now the Director supported by 3 trustees.
In March 2023 Hope into Black Country Areas (HIABCA’s), became a registered charity. Merylen has worked tirelessly to keep the franchise afloat, originally using her own living room as the office she successfully found office space, employed staff (Church & Tenant Empowerment Workers), finance staff and has developing a good strong trustee team to support her.
We now work with two councils, Wolverhampton & Sandwell and have 4 houses including a mother and baby home. Each house has a partner church to support the tenants. Our intention is to grow continuing to look after the vulnerable and the needy in our area. Our strap line is “enabling the churches to house the homeless” In doing this we have volunteers from the church who can become friends with a purpose, this releases our vulnerable tenants out of the relational poverty which they can face bringing about lasting friendships.
SS lived in HIABCA house from 2019 to 2023. SS had moved from Manchester where he studied at university and experienced a mental breakdown. As a result he became withdrawn travelled a lot, taking the train to visit various friends. He also liked to walked the streets - he was very vulnerable.
During the time he spent with us he developed worsening mental health issues. He was supported by HIABCA getting treatment from his local doctor and the psychiatric hospital. Eventually his mental state began to stabilise when receiving the correct medication. After many challenging situations: bank card being stolen, money taken from his back account, children mocking him. Many times he did not want to come out of his room and would stay in bed.
Being more stabilised with his medication he was in touch with his old school friend and had arranged to visit him several times. Eventually he was ready to move on and he told us that his friend said he would take him in to live with him. Staff supported him and contacted his friends to find out all the details, local areas, support centre and groups he could get involved in. There was also a church his friend went to. SS was happy and that the move was the right thing for him to do. He attends church regularly with a fantastic family who support him. He has recently signed up with the local council to get his own place.
To learn more about how you can get your church involved, please
get in touch
or give us a call on
07706355264
About Hope into Action UK
Hope into Action is a registered charity whose unique purpose is to enable churches to house the homeless. Work began in summer 2010 with a handful of people passionate about changing homelessness in the city of Peterborough.
We provide not just shelter and housing know-how but also friendship. Together with over 85 churches we provide direct support to people whom others have often given up on.
The original home had a real heart for men coming out of prison. Homes are now available for a wide range of "homeless", people in recovery from addiction, people sleeping rough, women and children fleeing domestic violence, people coming out of rehab, former prostitutes, refugees, those suffering mental health issues and survivors of human trafficking.
Our vision is for every church to lovingly provide the homeless with a home. The tragedy of homelessness is in every community. We believe that with our help, you and your church can do something about it.
