October 2025 Newsletter
Last month we marked our 9th birthday with gratitude and joy, enjoyed a Senior Trip to Blackpool, and gathered for afternoon teas and a colourful Joy of Dressing Up Fashion Show. Our community lunch once again brought people together through food and friendship. We also extended our support beyond our community by organising homeless feeds in Leeds, serving warm meals and care packages to those in need. At the start of October, we also had our annual trip to Calais, where we supported people in crisis with dental care and first aid.
October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please know you are not alone. You can reach out safely and confidentially through these services:
Focus4Hope – here to listen and connect you with specialist help.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247.
From local celebrations to global compassion, this season reminded us of the strength of kindness and community. Thank you for being part of it.
In September your donations allowed us to…
A Month Powered by Your Generosity
September was 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:
Celebrated 9 years of Focus4Hope
21 crisis parcels delivered – supporting adults and children during tough times
Hosted an afternoon tea, a reminiscent cinema and a trip to York for local seniors.
84 attendees joined our Monday Coffee & Craft Clubs – building friendships through creativity
We supported 320 homeless people with essentials
161 Community Warmth meals shared – warming both hearts and bellies
6 starter kits provided for new homes – helping people take their next step with dignity
Went on a senior trip to Blackpool
Received Highly Commended Community Group Award at the BBC Radio Leeds Make A Difference Awards
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.
Meet our very first ambassador!
Our very first Focus4Hope Ambassador is none other than local legend Roger Davies, front man of The Roger Davies Band!
The band has filled our events with music, energy, and love – and we couldn’t be prouder to have him officially join the Focus4Hope family.
If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, please email louise@focus4hope.org.
Volunteer of the Month
Helen Keeley
We’re delighted to celebrate Helen Keeley as our Volunteer of the Month! Helen gives her time so generously across both Replenish and our Community Hub, and we’re truly grateful for all she does.
Alongside her family, Helen helped fund part of our new defibrillator and has been a fantastic support at events – even taking to the catwalk at our recent fashion show! Helen will also be leading our new Health Check drop-ins, helping to support the wellbeing of our community.
Thank you, Helen, for your kindness, energy, and generosity. We’re so lucky to have you as part of the Focus4Hope family!
Business of the Month
Ison Harrison Solicitors
We’re delighted to recognise Ison Harrison as our Business of the Month! As proud sponsors of our recent Fashion Show, their generosity helped make the event such a success – raising vital funds and awareness for Focus4Hope and the community we serve.
A heartfelt thank you to the whole Ison Harrison team for your kindness, support, and ongoing commitment. Your partnership truly makes a difference.
Can you support or attend one of our upcoming events?
Music4Hope 2025
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
September Round-up!
September has been a month of celebration, connection, and community.
Our highlights included the vibrant Joy of Dressing Up Fashion Show, a fun-filled two-day Senior Trip to Blackpool, and afternoon teas full of singing and dancing, bringing people together for laughter and companionship. We were also thrilled to receive the Highly Commended Community Group Award at the BBC Radio Leeds Make A Difference Awards – a wonderful recognition of the dedication and care our volunteers bring to the community.
Closer to home, our community spaces continued to buzz with activity, from sharing meals at our community lunch to the ongoing support offered through our clubs and events.
From local celebrations to global compassion, this season reminded us of the strength of kindness and community. Thank you for being part of it
Focus4Hope’s annual trip to Calais
We’ve just returned from our annual trip to Calais – an amazing yet truly heartbreaking experience. Over several days, we supported people living in crisis, offering dental care through the mobile unit and first aid for burns, cuts, and sprains.
We met teenagers who’ve lost their families to war, now alone in France and uncertain about their future – powerful reminders of why our work matters. Before heading home, we revisited the Refugee Community Kitchen, where Louise and Tina volunteered 10 years ago, and helped prepare meals for distribution.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated and supported us – your kindness made it all possible.
October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please know you are not alone. You can reach out safely and confidentially through these services:
Focus4Hope – here to listen and connect you with specialist help.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247.
The Big Christmas Project is Back for 2025!
Last year’s Big Christmas Project was a huge success, and thanks to your kindness we created and delivered 549 Christmas hampers, helping 1,249 children and 790 adults enjoy a brighter Christmas. That’s 2,037 people whose holidays were made a little more special thanks to our amazing supporters and volunteers.
This year we’re doing it again – and we’d love your help!
Join us by taking part in our Reverse Advent Calendar initiative. Each day in November, collect an item from our food calendar, pop it in a donation box, and drop it off at one of our collection points:
📍 Focus4Hope Hub (Bethel St Car Park Entrance): Mon–Fri, 10am–2pm
📍 Replenish (12 Huddersfield Rd, Brighouse): Saturdays, 10am–3pm
Whether you join in at home, with friends, or as a workplace project, every contribution helps us bring hope and joy to vulnerable families across Yorkshire this Christmas.
If you’d like to take part, email info@focus4hope.org for our toolkit, including shareable assets and badges for your social media or emails.
And if you can’t take part this time, please consider making a donation or sharing our project to help spread the word.
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.
Upcoming Events at Focus4Hope
As always, we have a number of event taking place across West Yorkshire, including Afternoon Tea meetups, Reminiscent Cinema events, Craft Clubs, Winter Warmer Cafés, and Homeless Feeds. These gatherings provide a great way to connect with the community while supporting those in need.