Claire Sparrow, founder of HOPE, came to realise, from her own traumatic experience with her daughter, that families were experiencing a lack of support and long waiting lists when dealing with an escalating mental health situation.
Claire had a vision to make a change, bridging the gap for accessible community care for families in a similar situation, so she started the HOPE Charity Project, and in 2018 a shipping container was generously donated along with some land where Claire's vision could come alive.
Building HOPE
Through blood, sweat, tears and dedication to the cause, the incredible Paul Mant, a local builder, transformed the old, rusted shipping container into a welcoming walk-in support centre. We also received generous support from other local businesses and tradesmen who contributed by donating all the materials and their expertise where needed. What started as an empty shell with big ideas became a safe and supportive space where people could come for help, guidance and a listening ear.
Claire and the HOPE team were now able to provide immediate talk support, advice, signposting, holistic therapies, 1-1 counselling and creative activities to those in need of somewhere to turn. Many young people and their families were helped over that next year.
Covid
When Covid hit we were rocked. As a small grass roots charity, like so many others, we shrank very fast to where we nearly had to close completely. Sadly, during this time, we also lost our grounds and the container had to go into storage. Finding a new home for a 40-foot container was no easy task, but we were not defeated.
Once through the pandemic, we slowly began to regroup and review our services and the ever-growing need. We continued offering online support groups and counselling services. We also began going into schools, offering our specialist support to specified young people showing negative mental health symptoms and school refusers. The past 3 years have also been an on-going battle to survive financially, to get back on our feet and somehow continue with our original vision. Over this time the Government was gradually stepping up its provisions and support for this area in schools, and this in turn has now begun to cover some of the gaps that HOPE was filling.
At the end of 2024, after 3 years of searching for a new home for our container Hub (and with the amazing patience from Southern Cranes who agreed to store it), we finally found a new home in the South Downs of West Sussex, at Wild Heart Hill. And thanks to the generosity and hard work of local builder Paul Mant yet again, who donated his time, efforts and skills on his days off, free of charge, like before, the centre has been restored and brought back to life. Now, after everything, we have finally opened our doors once again and we are back on track with our vision to provide the support the community needs.
Spring 2025 marked the relaunch of the original vision. Just as life is ever evolving, HOPE continues to make a difference where it’s really needed. HOPE is once again beginning to embrace its core mission, and we are believing we can make a big impact as a community coming together.
Early intervention and prevention
We believe this latest chapter will be our most impactful one yet. Founder Claire Sparrow, along with a dedicated team of volunteers and fellow professionals, is harnessing her in-depth knowledge and understanding of the ongoing crisis in children’s mental health. Claire is personally stepping up in order to make an impact in supporting young people’s lives. Claire aims to educate and inspire all those involved with these young people, including family, peers, teachers and collaborative organizations regarding the importance of this vital care, community support, need for change and true value of positive mental health for the next generation.