Hope Community Project in Wolverhampton is marking a special milestone this autumn: 40 years of walking alongside the community in Heath Town.

Set up by the Sisters of the Infant Jesus, a Roman Catholic congregation of religious sisters in 1985, Hope began with simple acts of kindness. Door-knocking. Conversations. Friendship. That approach, rooted in presence and care, remains the heart of the organisation today.

 

“We were founded on door-knocking. Because that’s what the Sisters would have done when they first moved in. The Sisters of the Infant Jesus. Sister Margaret Walsh, who’s now Chair of Trustees, was one of them. They listened to people. That’s where it all started.”  – Lisa, CEO

A Space to Breathe and Belong

Now based at Ling House, Hope is home to a wide range of practical and emotional support. I had the opportunity to visit earlier this year and meet Lisa (CEO), Naomi, Aziza, Margaret, and a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.

From emergency food parcels to Stay & Play sessions, ESOL classes to a low-cost food pantry, it is clear this is about creating space for people to belong.

On Wednesdays, the Breaking Bread Food Pantry opens its doors. For £5 a week, members can choose from a selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy items and more. Volunteers greet guests by name. The shelves are well-stocked, the pace unhurried. Everything is arranged to give people choice and dignity.

Elsewhere in the building, volunteers sort donated clothes, including school uniforms and brand-new underwear packs for asylum-seeking families living in nearby hotels. Upstairs, Aziza is working on the Here Together project, supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women to build language skills and confidence through befriending and interpreting.

Aziza shared with me about how she can discover amazing things about the people they support at Hope

“One young woman said she needed help with computers. Turns out she has a Master’s in Psychology. Another one’s an engineer.”

Responding to Need, Together

During the visit, Lisa explained how Hope has responded to new needs as they have emerged, including the arrival of asylum-seeking families placed in Wolverhampton hotels with little notice. Working in partnership with organisations such as the SVP, Coats for Kids, and City of Sanctuary, the team has helped coordinate clothing collections, drop-offs and referrals.

They have also supported families who have been newly granted refugee status but face homelessness while waiting for accommodation. With no laundry facilities, no kitchens, and only limited support, small things like bus passes and food packs have made a significant difference.

A Moment to Reflect and Reconnect

On  Thursday 2 October 2025, Hope Community Project will hold a Thanksgiving Mass at St Patrick’s Church. The liturgy is an opportunity to look back on four decades of service and faith in action, and to re‑establish links with former volunteers, local parishes, schools and community partners.

Hope Community Project operates as an independent charity, but the staff are employed through Father Hudson’s Caritas, part of the wider Caritas network in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. This long-standing link reflects Hope’s Catholic roots, while supporting its wider commitment to inclusive, community-led support in Heath Town.

What’s Next

Hope continues to look ahead. With funding confirmed to continue the Here Together project, the focus now is on refining the offer: building out the befriending programme, training volunteer interpreters, and linking in with wider support networks.

Space and storage remain a challenge, particularly for furniture or large donations. But thanks to creative local partnerships, practical support such as white goods and baby items still finds its way to those in need.

Hope is also part of the Street Support Network West Midlands and plays a role in wider efforts to reduce homelessness and improve support across the region. Their work reflects the West Midlands Combined Authority Homelessness Taskforce’s Positive Pathway, particularly around prevention, recovery, and enabling independence.

Get Involved

Hope welcomes new volunteers and supporters. Whether it is helping at the pantry, donating items, or offering time to support ESOL or Stay & Play, there are many ways to get involved.

They accept donations of clothing, toiletries, bedding and other essentials. Financial contributions can be made through their Local Giving page, and regular updates are shared on their Facebook page.

We accept donations of food, drink, clothing and toiletries. It is not possible for us to collect donations, however, we would be grateful if you could deliver them to our centre Monday- Thursday 10am-3pm. 40 Ling House, Long Ley, Heath Town, Wolverhampton, WV10 0HH. There is limited parking outside. If you would like to give us a call first, that would be appreciated. Our number is 01902 556645