Our 2025 survey feedback results are in!

‘Safe, life-changing and happy’ feedback from our tenants & network

Hope into Action is deeply committed to listening and being open to hearing feedback. Every year we do a survey which asks the opinions of our franchises, church partners, Friendship and Support volunteers and tenants.

Asking for feedback can be risky, but I delight in reading every single survey we receive. We had over 220 this year (an increase of 57 from last year). This makes the task take longer, but the content is richer and more representative.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete a survey and share your thoughts and ideas.

Surveys

We received 227 surveys this year

(up by 57 in 2023)

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey!

Franchise & F&S

92% of franchise partners reported great or good overall services from HiA

F&S 94% said great or good overall support, and 92% felt connected to the network

Tenants

95 responded - 87% of our tenants rated our homes great or good.

93% rated our EW as great or Good

Church Partners

83% of F&S numbers have either stayed the same or increased.

100% felt connected to the Network, and 96% rated overall service as great or good

For a full breakdown of the feedback click here

The content remains overwhelmingly encouraging: all 4 groups scored the support from HIA as over 90% and an incredible 100% of church partners said they felt connected to the HIA Network.

This kind of feedback is the result of a lot of work by a lot of people who have created what Hope into Action is today.

Feedback from churches and F&S volunteers

"We’ve opened 2 homes and seen tenant’s lives change, it’s beyond our wildest dreams.”

“It keeps us connected with those beyond the church walls.”

“I’ve become more confident chatting to people younger than me or from different backgrounds”

“I’m trusting more in God despite disappointments.”

When we asked church how the HiA partnership impacts their church the top answer also remained the same “increases our awareness of homelessness and social issues.” Other responses included “gives us an opportunity to show hospitality to the poor” and 'breaks down barriers'

Feedback from tenants

“It’s life changing if you want it… the help and support helped me help myself and then I helped others” A tenant

“I’m so happy and grateful”

“What you do for us who find ourselves in difficult situations is invaluable and generous.

Thank you

When asked to summarise the HiA experience in 3 words the most popular words chosen were:

Safe
Life-changing
Happy

Safe remains the top answer for the 5th year running.

How we want to improve

When it comes to issues highlighted which we need to respond to, or improve, here are some recommendations the Network team will focus on in 2025:

Give more notice for upcoming events and opportunities (The introduction of ‘The Net’ newsletter is helping with this)
Facilitate more regional get togethers now there are more HIA locations across the UK
Encourage and promote HOPE training for F&S volunteers so all have completed it
Although 93% of tenants rated their EW support as great or good, 4% said it was poor. Likewise, 88% said F&S support was great or good and 9% said poor. We want to look into the reasons for this.
Continue to explore how we can do training through pre-recorded videos and/or e-learning platforms

With the design, creation and roll out of EMPOWER, our new online platform for supporting tenants, 2025 is already promising to be one of progress, increased efficacy and growth.

I look forward to seeing you at Restorers of Hope, our annual conference on 12th March. Please bring along friends and family. Please continue to join us in prayer and action as Hope into Action strides boldly into a new year!

Kate Doran-Smith & the Network team

Latest

Why our volunteers are amazing: Kate Doran-Smith

From Belfast to Bournemouth hundreds of people across our 37 locations are doing just that: freely offering to befriend tenants, paint walls, bake cakes, fundraise, pray, donate and garden to see tenants loved, staff teams supported and homes kept beautiful. Each volunteer offers their time, skills and resources and each is unique, however they share a common belief that volunteering is worthwhile.
We love our volunteers

Each and every volunteer brings something so special to our work at Hope into Action. From our friendship & support volunteers, to the people who spend their company volunteering days with us, to those who help out in our offices. This volunteers’ week, everyone at Hope into Action says thank you for all that you do.
Over 500 tenants housed in one year

Our latest impact report - homelessness ends in community - looks at the statistics and stories of empowerment and transformation.
Communications Assistant (Summer Position)

Closing date: Monday 8th June @ 9am

Empowering Churches to End Homelessness

Our CEO explains why we’ve updated our strapline from ‘Enabling churches to house the homeless’ to ‘Empowering churches to end homelessness.’
Susie's letter to you

From our 2025 Easter Appeal film to today, Susie's story continues to unfold in beautiful ways. See firsthand how your support is changing lives.
Church Partner Appreciation 2025

Our church partners provide spiritual community for our tenants, and many members volunteer as Friendship and Support befrienders – offering incredible support to tenants across our Network.
Facing the tragic cost of Homelessness

On World Homeless Day, our CEO, Jon Kuhrt reflects on the tragic cost of the homelessness crisis – and where hope can be found.
From addiction to new beginnings - Andrew

Once homeless and addicted, Andrew found faith, housing, and hope at Hope into Action. Now his life, friendships, and family relationships are restored – and he’s looking to the future.
Retired, but still making an impact – meet Michael

Michael began volunteering with Hope into Action in October 2022 after retiring from a long career in charity finance. Initially offering just a day a week, he’s still with us nearly three years later. He says the variety of work and the genuine sense of family at HIA are what keep him coming back.
Volunteering brings me a sense of joy and fulfillment.

Amanda used her volunteer hours through Yorkshire Building Society to support Hope into Action and found herself changed in the process. From clearing overgrown gardens to connecting with staff, each moment brought meaning, connection and joy. It’s proof that even small acts can spark lasting impact.
Life is starting to feel normal again

After years of addiction, Simon’s journey with Hope into Action has brought lasting change. With the support of his home, his church, and his empowerment worker, he’s found stability, purpose, and a renewed sense of hope. From reconnecting with his daughters to volunteering at church and securing work, Simon is now rebuilding his life – and inspiring others along the way.
New Year, New Home, New Start

As we enter 2025, hear about how God's timing is so important and so right and how breaking chains and overcoming barriers, helps our tenants on the road to recovery.
Where it all began: Bretton Baptist Church

In 2010, Ed Walker MBE with the help of Bretton Baptist Church set up Hope into Action. Now 14 years later, we reflect on the importance of our church partners and the work they do for our tenants.