A BOURNEMOUTH charity which has supported more than 2700 homeless people to access safe accommodation has been awarded £225k in National Lottery Reaching Communities funding.

The grant, which will be paid over the next three years, will enable Hope Housing Training and Support (HTS) to employ three further support workers for its 'Opening Doors' programme, which helps formerly homeless people to develop education and employability skills and move towards independent living.

Hope HTS was founded 15 years ago by Julie Berti and her father David Botterill to help the growing number of local people experiencing homelessness.

The charity now has 100 supported accommodation beds across Dorset and collaborates with more than 54 local organisations to house vulnerable adults, before helping them into training, employment and independent living.

Julie said: “Our successful Lottery bid couldn’t come at a more important time for Hope.

“Echoing national trends, there has been a rapid increase in the number of rough sleepers in Bournemouth and across Dorset.

"Bournemouth alone has seen a 168 per cent rise in applications for help with homelessness in the past two years. As a result, demand for safe, dry and secure accommodation has risen.

“Hope clients benefit not only from a safe and stable living environment, but they are also supported to break away from negative patterns and the uncertainties of their former lives.

“We support them to make major improvements in their lives, such as reconnecting with families and dealing with addictions.

“They also learn healthier ways of living and our highly trained support workers and qualified counsellors are on hand to offer guidance, counselling and encouragement, liaising with external agencies as necessary.

“This Lottery funding will be critical for maintaining and expanding our services and will allow us to continue offering high-quality support positively impacting the lives of vulnerable homeless adults.”

Glynn Hannam is a former client of Hope with lived experience of homelessness, who has gone on to become a Support Worker for the charity.

He said: “I lived in Hope accommodation after personal struggles in my life. The charity helped me get my life back on track.

“The day I walked into Hope transformed my life. I’m a living example of what this extraordinary charity does every day and it’s great to be part of its growing team.”