Brighouse charity Focus4Hope celebrates tenth anniversary with open day event
Brighouse charity Focus4Hope has marked its tenth anniversary of supporting homeless, elderly and vulnerable people across Calderdale.
Focus4Hope, based on Huddersfield Road, has grown from a small grassroots initiative into a trusted frontline organisation known for providing non-judgemental hands-on support and being a voice for people who might otherwise get forgotten.
To mark the milestone, the charity opened the doors of its Brighouse community hub on Wednesday, September 16. Guests enjoyed a drink and some birthday cake, and heard from founder and CEO Louise Reed.
“Standing here with volunteers, partners, supporters, and local people feels incredibly special,” said Louise. “Focus4Hope began ten years ago with a simple idea: that no-one in our community should ever feel forgotten.
"Since then we’ve supported thousands of people facing homelessness, isolation, domestic abuse, poverty, and crisis. There are moments from the last ten years that will stay with me forever, but there is always more to do.”
As well as a celebration, the event offered supporters, partners, volunteers, and members of the public a chance to meet the team and learn more about the charity’s frontline work, hear stories from the people it has supported, and discover how to volunteer, donate, or partner with the organisation.
Guests included the Mayor of Calderdale Andrew Tagg and Consort.
Trustee Zoe Hands was also in attendance and said: “I speak for all the trustees when I say I’m delighted to be to be able to support this fantastic charity.
"Thank you to everybody who’s helped us along the way - every donation, time given, and raffle ticket bought really does matter.”
The anniversary comes at a time when the cost-of-living crisis, rising homelessness, and increasing pressure on public services has led to the highest ever demand for its services.
Louise feels the anniversary is both a celebration and a reminder of growing need.
“Reaching our tenth year is not the end of a chapter - it’s the beginning of the next one,” she said.
"Unfortunately the demand for our services is higher than ever, but we’re committed to expanding our outreach, strengthening our crisis response, and continuing to fight for the people who need us most.
"We’d ask anyone interested in supporting us in anyway, from donating to volunteering, to visit our website.”