HopeWorks

1720 people died while experiencing homelessness in the UK in 2025, including 51 children.

The latest findings from the Dying Homeless Project reveal a 6.8% increase in recorded deaths compared with the previous year. Since 2017, 10,243 deaths have been documented by the project.

These figures represent people whose lives mattered. The findings highlight the urgent need for safe, suitable housing, accessible healthcare and sustained support for people experiencing homelessness.

Everyone deserves safety, dignity and the opportunity to live a life free from homelessness. More must be done to address the circumstances that lead to these deaths and prevent further loss of life.

We remember all those who lost their lives. May they rest in peace.

You can read the full findings from the Dying Homeless Project on the Museum of Homelessness website.

We are committed to making sure people get the right support at the right time, but we can’t do this alone. Partner with us today 🧡

A local partnership making a difference 🧡

After receiving support from HopeWorks, one of our clients, Aaron has started a new role in the manufacturing and assembly team at local business SmartMist Systems.

It’s a brilliant example of what can happen when local charities and businesses work together to create opportunities for people rebuilding their lives after homelessness.

SmartMist Suppression has supported HopeWorks through regular donations for several years, and this partnership takes that support a step further by opening the door to meaningful employment.

A huge thank you to the team at SmartMist for investing in local people and helping create opportunities right here in Bedford.

If you’re a local business and would be interested in finding out more about how to support the work we do, please do drop us a message!

Homelessness doesn’t end the moment someone finds somewhere to stay.

Getting back to a more stable place in life can take time, and getting the right support at the right time makes a real difference towards creating a more stable future.

At HopeWorks, we walk alongside people from Bedford, helping them access accommodation, practical support, advice and opportunities to build towards that future.

Today is World Homeless Day, so we are taking this as an opportunity to highlight why continued support and walking alongside people matters beyond the immediate crisis 🧡

Local businesses, we need you! ❄️

We are very excited to host the Nearly Christmas Fair at HopeWorks on the 21st of November. It’s going to be a fun day with children’s activities, a raffle, coffee and cake and a chance to buy some Christmas presents!

We are currently on the look out for local businesses who would like to join us on the day as stall holders.

All the details 👇
Location: HopeWorks 56 Harpur Street Bedford
Date: Saturday 21st November
Time: 10am - 2pm
Stalls are £10 plus a donation to the raffle, tables are provided

If you are interested in joining us as a stall holder then please email Lizzie at [email protected]

We will share all the details about the Nearly Christmas Fair very soon! 🎅

September at HopeWorks 🧡

took on the 81 mile challenge at the Pilgrim’s Reckoning, raising over £6,800 for HopeWorks 👏

We also cheered on the team at Bedford Running Festival, and celebrated Bedford through the artwork of brilliant local artist Simon Wrigley, who generously donated all proceeds from the exhibition to HopeWorks.

Alongside this, our fantastic team continued supporting people across Bedford every day with finding accommodation, practical support and opportunities to help provide a more stable future.

And now we’re looking ahead to the winter months and preparing our services to support our clients across the colder months.

Thanks for all your support in September, it really does help us make a difference to people across Bedford 🧡

Want to make a difference in Bedford? 🧡

There are lots of ways to get involved at HopeWorks and help support people across our community.

Whether you’d like to get involved by supporting our services, helping with activities or sharing your skills, we currently have a number of volunteering opportunities available.

Please check out the Get Involved section of our website or drop us a message to find out more about our current volunteering opportunities in Bedford.

At HopeWorks, we support people in Bedford facing homelessness, isolation and difficult circumstances.

Whether that’s practical support and a safe place to stay, advocacy, training and skill building and whatever is needed to help build a more stable future. We walk alongside people for as long as the journey takes.

That’s why we’re looking for 81 monthly donors to join Walk With Hope. Your monthly support helps us be there consistently, every step of the way.

Could you be one of the 81?

Join Walk With Hope today 🧡

Vacancy!

Senior Facilities Officer

As our Senior Facilities Officer no two days will be the same from completing repairs and maintenance tasks to liaising with contractors. Your days will be full and rewarding.
You will oversee and provide facilities support across all HopeWorks properties and service provision. In conjunction with the other members of the team and with relevant supervision, you will provide a client-focused service. This role will suit someone with skills in a multi-skill environment or a trades person proficient in a number of areas.

More details -

Senior Facilities Officer HopeWorks operates a range of properties and services around Bedford and the surrounding areas. From Move on Housing to Community Centres to family homes, our portfolio of properties is growing.

The reality is homelessness isn’t fixed overnight.

For many of the people we support, moving forward takes time. There can be setbacks, new challenges and plenty of steps along the way.

That’s why monthly donors are so important. Your ongoing support helps us be there throughout the journey, providing the practical help, guidance and encouragement people need to keep moving forward.

It allows us to plan, budget and sustain our work in Bedford.

We’re looking for 81 monthly donors to Walk With Hope.

Could you be one of the 81?

Join us as a monthly donor and help us keep walking alongside people across Bedford 🧡