A  Bissoe-based charity which helps those fleeing homelessness and domestic violence by providing them with recycled items for empty homes is looking for business support.

Hidden Help has received their highest level of referrals ever in 2023 and is looking for business support or benefactors to ‘Adopt a Warehouse’.

The charity , which recycles unwanted household goods to those in need, has so far this year helped 500 families - including 500 children. This compares to a total of 337 families in the whole of 2022.

They help those referred to it by Social Services and other statutory bodies. Those fleeing domestic violence, the homeless, refugees, ex-prisoners, the elderly, long-term sick and those being re-housed. 

They set them up with recycled household items quickly and for free, since very often they are given an apartment with nothing in it at all -not even carpets or curtains or anything to cook with or sleep on. 

Hidden Help currently operate from four warehouses, the smallest costing £3,600 a year.

“Coming up to Christmas, this is rather a grim milestone for us,” explains founder Judy Backus MBE.

She continued : “We have sadly been inundated this year with requests from many more households experiencing homelessness and domestic violence - as well as care leavers, the elderly and long term sick.

"Increased demand means we have doubled our warehouse space - so we are looking for a local business or benefactor to ‘Adopt a Warehouse’."

"This helps us set families up with recycled household items quickly and for free, since often they are given accommodation with nothing in it at all - not even carpets, curtains, anything to cook with or sleep on. We can fix that with the community’s continuing generosity - and give individuals and families some dignity.”

If you are able to help with Adopt a Warehouse , please get in in touch with Jake Backus on 07747 006544 or email chair@hiddenhelp.org