Meet Trudy, Homeless Charity Boss
TONY COLLINS, the Green councillor for Central St Leonards, and Chair of the Foreshore Trust, talks to Trudy Hampton-Hodges, Chief Executive of Warming Up the Homeless (WUTH)
It’s rotten being homeless, but Trudy Hampton-Hodges is doing something about it.
WUTH, based in Bexhill, works in towns along the south coast. Temporary accommodation is better than a tent, but frequently provides the barest minimum, sometimes not even carpets. WUTH offers a Homestart service, which can supply sleeping bags, ground sheets, survival sheets, blankets, clothing, food and toiletries, even cookers and other appliances.
They also aim to improve the individual’s welfare through emotional support, even if it’s just a smile or signposting them to other services. They act as a trusted intermediary to access emergency and similar services since many of their clients are deeply suspicious of all expressions of government.
Trudy and her team support 1,400 people a week across the range of their operation. They also feed people, big time, processing 15 tons of food and preparing 3,000 meals a week.
If you are experiencing homelessness it can be hard to open a bank account. WUTH supports clients with this too, vouching for their identity so they can open accounts with Nationwide.
In Hastings, WUTH runs a well set-up day centre at Gizmo House on Priory Street, where clients can get a decent meal, a shower and wash their clothes. They can also access nursing, podiatry and mental health care, and find support with substance abuse, women’s issues and domestic abuse.
There is even an accredited street vet service as many homeless people have pets. There are other more surprising services too, including storytelling.
“I was there one afternoon as some rough sleepers listened to the tale of Goldilocks and the three bears,” remembers Trudy. “They loved it. None of them had ever heard the story.”
The WUTH distribution centre in Bexhill also operates one of their three charity shops. When I walked in to meet Trudy, the lady at the counter grinned. “She’s lovely,” she told me. “She’s so kind. She really looks after her people.”
Trudy is proud of her team. WUTH has a number of paid staff, but it also has 430 volunteers, some of whom are neurodiverse. Working there is a stepping stone for some and a home from home for others. Trudy spoke gently to one young lad, who was agitated to meet someone new. “He’s made so much progress,” she told me. “He’s autistic. When he first came to us he had a full time carer. Now he can dress himself, catch the bus by himself, and make a contribution. Before he would never look at you. We’ve taught him how to shake hands. He loves it here.”
Money is a constant challenge and Trudy spends a good deal of time raising funds. Most of WUTH’s resources, financial and material, come from the local community, but they also get support from the National Lottery, Nationwide, the Lloyds Foundation and the National Health Service.
Significant funds also come from the three WUTH shops but ‘when retail sales fall, we can’t feed so many people,’ observes Trudy.
I asked Trudy what encourages her.
“To be honest,” she says, “I am probably most encouraged by the positive attitude of the local councils. Their housing strategies address all kinds of needs and are working hard to get things right. The Rough Sleeper Initiative – in Hastings, and through East Sussex – makes a big difference too.”
Warming Up the Homeless always needs more volunteers! To get in touch, for whatever reason, call 07367 060708 or email [email protected].
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