Finding Peace and Connection

In the heart of Middlesbrough, The Hope Foundation has become a place where peace grows through shared meals, music, and friendship.

For Stephen, it all began with a visit to the Job Centre. “I was looking to do a computing course and heard about The Hope Foundation,” he says. “I came along to one of the meals and enjoyed it so much I told Jeanette about it too.”

Since then, the two friends have made the Tuesday Tastes Like Home evenings part of their weekly rhythm. Each week features food from around the world, from hearty Scottish stew and shortbread to delicious French crêpes. “It gives us an hour out of the house,” Stephen says. “We meet new people, chat with old friends, and feel part of something.”

Stephen has also started volunteering at the Record Club, where people bring in records from their own collections to share. “Music connects people the same way food does”.

For Jeanette, those moments of connection mean a lot. “I’m not that close with some of my family, so catching up with Stephen here is really important, He’s a big brother figure and we can just come here enjoy the food and the company’’ she says. “Everyone’s friendly, and you always leave feeling better than when you arrived.”

At The Hope Foundation, peace isn’t just the absence of trouble, it’s the warmth of a shared meal, the joy of music, and the quiet comfort of knowing you belong.