March 2026 Newsletter
February was another busy and impactful month for us, as we continued to support our community in a variety of ways. From collecting essential donations to delivering regular homeless feeds and hosting our senior day trips, our focus remains on providing both practical support and meaningful connection for those who need it most.
We are seeing increasing demand for our services, with more individuals and families reaching out for help than ever before. As the need continues to grow, we are asking for your support. Whether it’s donating food, contributing financially, or getting involved as a local business, every bit of help makes a real difference.
We are also incredibly proud to share that our Founder & CEO, Louise, has been awarded the Mandy Taylor MBE Award at the Yorkshire Business Woman Awards. This recognition means so much to the whole team and reflects the dedication and impact of the work being carried out every day.
We are so grateful to everyone who has already donated, volunteered, or supported our work. Your continued support allows us to keep showing up for those who rely on us every day.
In February your donations allowed us to…
A Month Powered by Your Generosity
February a month filled with kindness and connection, and with your amazing support we were able to touch so many lives with creativity, comfort, and care. Here’s a look at what we achieved together:
- 315 homeless meals were handed out to people in Leeds
- 59 attendees joined our Monday Coffee & Craft Clubs – building friendships through creativity
- Supported 66 households with our social supermarket
- Hosted elderly days out for 30 people
- Continued the Menopause group supporting ladies struggling with symptoms
- Handed out 28 crisis parcels to those in need
- 184 Community Warmth meals shared – warming both hearts and bellies
- 70 seniors attended our Afternoon Tea event
- 6 starter kits provided for new homes – helping people take their next step with dignity
Whether you gave time, money, skills or simply cheered us on, you’re a vital part of this journey. Thank you for standing with us.
Volunteer of the Month
Sam Jennings
We’re delighted to celebrate Sam Jennings as our Volunteer of the Month.
Sam is a fabulous volunteer who always goes above and beyond. She gives her time in our Replenish boutique, supports our events, delivers crisis food parcels whenever needed, and regularly helps at our homeless outreach.
Last weekend, Sam even took the time to visit a homeless man in hospital, which is a perfect example of the kindness and compassion she shows to others every single day. She truly has a heart of gold.
Thank you, Sam, for your incredible commitment and support. You make a real difference, and we’re so grateful to have you as part of the Focus4Hope family.
Business of the Month
Wakefield Street Kitchen
We’re proud to name Wakefield Street Kitchen as our Business of the Month for their incredible support of Focus4Hope.
The team are always so generous, regularly sharing food and drinks with us to help support people experiencing homelessness. Their kindness and willingness to help make a real difference to the people we serve.
We’re truly grateful for their continued support and for the compassion they show to our community.
Thank you, Wakefield Street Kitchen, for being such an amazing organisation and for standing with us to help those who need it most.
We’re heading to the front line to support refugees, and we need your help!
We’re pleased to share that at the end of March, the Focus4Hope team will be travelling to Dunkirk to volunteer and distribute essential supplies to people in need. Our last trip was incredibly rewarding and successful, and we’re looking forward to returning to offer support again.
To help make this trip possible, we’re currently collecting donations and would be incredibly grateful for any support.
Items we’re looking for include:
-Camping gear: Tents, sleeping bags, blankets, tarpaulins, torches, rucksacks, cooking equipment, kettles.
-Men’s clothing: Jackets, joggers, jeans, trainers or boots (sizes 40–44), gloves, socks, underwear.
-Tech: Smartphones, power banks, charging cables.
-Food: Rice, pasta, lentils, tea, coffee, sugar and tinned goods.
-Hygiene items: Soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, wipes, nail clippers, hand sanitiser, antibacterial products and baby wipes.
Every donation will help bring warmth, comfort and hope to someone who needs it most.
Donations can be dropped off at our Brighouse Hub:
12 Huddersfield Rd, Brighouse, HD6 1JZ
If you would like to get involved in the trip or find out more, please get in touch:
📞 Call: 01484 443979
✉ Email: louise@focus4hope.org
Louise won the Mandy Taylor MBE Charity Award at the YBW Awards!
We are absolutely delighted to share that our Founder & CEO, Louise, was awarded the Mandy Taylor MBE Charity Award at the Yorkshire Businesswoman Awards 2026.
Mandy Taylor MBE was an incredible woman who supported so many charities and communities across Yorkshire. She was also a proud trustee and supporter of Focus4Hope, standing beside Louise and our team right up until she sadly passed away from cancer in 2021. Mandy was widely recognised for her tireless charity fundraising and dedication to helping others.
This award means so much to all of us at Focus4Hope. Everyone in our FocusFamily knows just how proud Mandy would be of Louise and everything she continues to achieve for our community.
A truly special moment in honour of a truly special woman.
Get involved in our senior day trips!
Attend or volunteer on one of our fantastic Senior Day Trips. We have some great trips planned January to April – museums, aquariums, theatre and pottery.
For any queries contact clemy@focus4hope.org
Can you support or attend one of our upcoming events?
Fortnightly Homeless Feeds
Even in summer, nights can be cold and unsafe. A sleeping bag offers warmth and comfort when there’s nowhere else to turn.
Want to help?
- Donate a sleeping bag
- Volunteer on a feed
- Sponsor a feed
Craft & Create Club
Making a Lasting Impact- Become a Regular Donor!
Are you a business looking to make a real difference in your community? By becoming a regular donor, you can help us provide essential support to those who need it most – month after month.
You choose the amount, and we’ll turn it into meaningful action:
£25 provides a crisis food parcel for someone in urgent need
£60 supports a family of four with a food parcel
£100 supplies vital essentials to someone facing homelessness
£250 funds a full home starter kit for someone moving into safe accommodation
No matter the size of your contribution, your support helps us bring hope, dignity, and relief to people across our community.
Ready to make a difference? Join our amazing network of business donors today and help us continue the work we do, together.
Get in touch to find out how you can become a regular donor.