Author: Zara Bridle

In today’s property management landscape, effective communication and resident engagement are more crucial than ever, driven by both operational needs and compliance requirements. Recent legislation, such as The Building Safety Act 2022, Awaab’s Law, and Renter’s Reform underscores the necessity for property managers to implement resident apps that facilitate seamless communication and meet compliance needs.

Additionally, the sector has seen a shift towards self-service as residents increasingly prefer managing their needs through apps rather than interacting with staff. This shift not only alleviates pressure on your operational teams but also boosts customer satisfaction by providing residents with the flexibility they desire.

The Build vs. Buy Decision 

One of the enduring debates that companies have is whether to build a custom software solution in-house or to purchase an off-the-shelf product. While in-house IT teams may have the capability to develop a tailored system, doing so can divert valuable resources from other critical business functions. Additionally, integrating custom software with existing systems can be complex, especially without APIs.  

Off-the-shelf software like Spike Living enables you to focus on your core competencies- managing properties and ensuring resident satisfaction—without the added burden of software development. With open APIs, Spike Living seamlessly integrates into your existing tech stack, delivering operational efficiency.  

Speed of Implementation and Support 

Custom software development is a lengthy and resource-intensive process. From gathering requirements to design, development, testing, and deployment, the entire process can take a number of months or even years. During this time, market conditions and your business needs may evolve, potentially rendering your custom solution outdated before it’s even deployed.

In contrast, off-the-shelf solutions like Spike Living are ready to go almost immediately. Once purchased, these solutions can be configured and rolled out quickly, allowing you to start onboarding residents and benefiting from the technology right away. Additionally, off-the-shelf software provides the advantage of regular updates and access to industry best practices. These updates ensure that your software remains current with the latest features, security enhancements, and compliance standards, without requiring significant effort from your team. 

What’s more, companies that develop off-the-shelf software typically offer extensive customer support, documentation, and training resources. This means that when you encounter issues or need assistance, you have a team of experts ready to help. With an in-house solution, your IT team would need to handle support, which can be costly and time-consuming, especially if they lack specific technical expertise. And if key IT staff leave, their unique knowledge of the tech stack might be lost, leading to potential disruptions and additional costs.

User Experience and Brand Alignment 

Another critical factor is user experience. IT professionals, while skilled in development, may not always fully understand the end user’s needs. They might create software that is technically sound but lacks the intuitive design and ease of use that residents expect. A poorly designed app for example, can lead to low adoption rates, as residents may find it difficult to use or simply unengaging. Similarly, while your team might develop a visually appealing interface for residents, the back-end functionality and ease of use for your staff are equally as important.

Off-the-shelf resident apps, on the other hand, are typically designed with both functionality and user experience in mind. They are refined based on feedback from a wide user base, resulting in a more polished and user-friendly experience for both property managers and residents. This refinement process, driven by real-world usage, is often something that custom-built solutions struggle to achieve without significant time and effort.

Many companies worry that using off-the-shelf software will mean their portal won’t reflect their brand identity. However, solutions like Spike Living offer white-label options that allow for extensive customisation. This means you can have a fully branded portal that aligns with your company’s colour palette, tone of voice, and imagery, ensuring a seamless integration with your brand identity – without the headache of developing a system from scratch.

Cost-Effectiveness

Although developing your own software may seem appealing, the ongoing maintenance and support costs alone can quickly add up. Research from the Project Management Institute (PMI) reveals that 43% of IT projects exceed their budgets, 49% are delayed, and 14% fail altogether. Additionally, a Harvard Business Review study found that one in six internal IT projects

exceeds budgets by 200% and schedules by 70%.

In contrast, off-the-shelf software can be more cost-effective, particularly when rapid deployment is essential. According to Gartner, 95% of real estate companies with IT departments already use open-source technology, underscoring the value of outsourcing to experts.

Off-the-shelf solutions like Spike Living come with a predictable pricing model and
advanced features that are affordable because development costs are shared
across multiple users. This makes them a valuable alternative to building an
in-house solution, providing the tools you need without the hefty price tag.

Summary

While building a custom in-house software solution offers control and customisation, it often comes with significant costs, risks, and time investments. Off-the-shelf solutions like Spike Living, which is now used in 25 countries by over 200,000 users, provide a compelling alternative. Spike Living has been delivering resident engagement solutions across a wide range of residential sectors, constantly reviewing market conditions to ensure our software stays ahead of industry needs. This real-world experience, combined with over 13 years of industry knowledge, has led to a market-leading uptake rate of 87% across client developments.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, choosing the right tools is crucial to the success of your property management strategy. With Spike, you can focus on what truly matters – creating an engaging community – while benefiting from reliable, cost-effective technology that allows you to organise, optimise, and thrive.

Get in touch today to learn more about how Spike Living’s market-leading software can be seamlessly integrated into your development. 

As a property manager in the residential sector, ensuring the health, safety, and satisfaction of your tenants is paramount. 

The recent introduction of Awaab’s Law, a pivotal part of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, is set to extend its reach into the private rental sector. This landmark legislation mandates stringent timelines for landlords to address hazards such as mould and damp, enhancing the living conditions for renters.

Understanding Awaab’s Law 

Awaab’s Law was introduced following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, whose respiratory condition was linked to mould in his social housing residence. The law, driven by the campaign efforts of Awaab’s parents, supported by Manchester Evening News and Shelter, seeks to prevent such incidents by imposing specific timelines for addressing mould and damp complaints:

• Investigate hazards within 14 calendar days of receiving a complaint. 
• Provide a written report of the findings. 
• Begin repairs within 7 calendar days if the hazard poses significant risks to health or safety. 
• Complete repair work within a reasonable timeframe. 
• Complete emergency repairs within 24 hours. 
• Maintain clear records of all correspondence with tenants and contractors.

With statistics showing that 14.2% of people privately renting in the UK are experiencing Category 1 hazards, including dangerous forms of damp and mould, the law aims to improve living conditions and protect tenants.

Labour’s pledge to extend Awaab’s Law to private landlords means that property managers need a reliable system to manage and document maintenance issues in order to adhere to these timelines. 

How can Technology Can Help? 

With 81% of tenants saying that it’s important or very important for them to be able to access a portal from a mobile device, it’s paramount that you have a system in place that is mobile-friendly. This will encourage tenants to report issues when they spot them rather than having to wait until they are back in front of a computer or at the front desk.

What’s more, The Health and Safety Executive revealed that 4 in 10 tenants think it’s difficult to raise an issue, whilst maintenance issues take up to 80% of a property managers time. Without a central system in place, tenants will use email, WhatsApp messages or text messages to report issues. Sporadic messages and using different channels make it challenging for property managers to keep track of what has been reported and run the risk of duplicating reports, making it even harder to keep tenants updated on the progress. Not to mention making it almost impossible to track against Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and performance metrics for response times.

Spike offers robust, innovative solutions to help property managers not only meet these compliance requirements, but also significantly improve tenant satisfaction. Here’s how Spike’s solutions can streamline your operations and ensure your properties remain compliant:

1.) Streamlined Reporting Process 

Our comprehensive maintenance reporting module is designed to help property managers meet these new compliance standards efficiently. The platform offers a seamless way to manage maintenance requests, ensuring that issues are addressed promptly and thoroughly.

Tenants can easily log maintenance issues through an app, allowing staff to receive real-time notifications on their management dashboard and ensures immediate action, driving tenant satisfaction. 

2.) Increased Transparency 

Two-way communication is facilitated through the platform, allowing tenants to receive updates on their requests and maintenance staff to communicate directly with them. For instance requesting additional information or clarification on an issue, as well as arranging a suitable time for an inspection.  

3.) Efficient Tracking and Prioritisation 

Property managers can track all maintenance requests through a centralised management dashboard. Issues can be prioritised based on their severity, ensuring that high-risk problems are addressed first. 

4.) Enhanced Response Times 

By streamlining the maintenance process, Spike helps speed up response times, ensures that complaints are investigated within the mandated 14-day period, repairs are initiated within the 7-day window, and facilitates the swift management of emergency repairs within the 24-hour timeframe.

This also leads to higher tenant satisfaction, as timely repairs are a key factor in positive reviews. 

5.) Detailed Documentation 

The platform maintains a clear audit trail of all correspondence, with all activities logged against a property and tenant, helping property managers comply with the record-keeping requirements of Awaab’s Law. This ensures that every step, from complaint to resolution, is documented, in case of future disputes.  

6.) Proactive Fault Diagnosis 

As tenants can attach photos to their maintenance requests, this allows maintenance teams to diagnose issues ahead of time and arrive prepared with the necessary tools and parts. This increases the likelihood of fixing the issue in their first visit and reduces response times by 30%.

Property Managers can also benefit from Spike’s powerful reporting module, allowing them to spot any wider issues which could lead to mould, such as leaking internal pipes or poor ventilation, thereby identifying the root causes of damp and mould in the development before it can escalate or spread further. Furthermore, setting up automated tasks can ensure that routine follow ups or check ins are being conducted to ensure these potential hazards are being monitored and addressed.

Summary

As the residential sector braces for the extension of Awaab’s Law, property managers must adopt systems that ensure compliance and elevate tenant satisfaction. Spike’s solutions offer comprehensive maintenance reporting, transparent communication, and efficient tracking of issues. By integrating Spike technology into your property management operations, you can provide safer, healthier, and happier homes for your tenants, ensuring that the demands of Awaab’s Law are not just met, but exceeded.   

For more information on how Spike’s innovative solutions can help you meet compliance requirements and improve tenant satisfaction, book a demo today. 

Selected by our staff, as Spike’s chosen Charity of the Year for 2024, Hope for Food is a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to providing essential services to individuals and families facing homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity in our local area. Their mission, built on respect and dignity, aligns perfectly with our own company values.

Our last distribution drive with Hope for Food was incredibly rewarding and left a lasting impression on everyone involved. So, with great anticipation, we embarked on our latest initiative, eager to build on the positive experiences of the past. This time, we decided to infuse a bit of cultural flavour into the community meals by introducing a beloved South Indian dish: vegetable biryani.

Bringing Cultures Together Through Food

In a bid to diversify the meals we provided at the community event, Sriya and Shimna, part of our Quality Assurance team, kindly took time out of their day to cook 45 portions of vegetable biryani.

Hailing from South India, this dish holds a special place in their hearts, and they were proud to share it with the community. By sharing this dish, they hoped to offer the community not just a meal, but a taste of their culture and a piece of their home. Biryani is also a favourite when brought in for our office socials and gatherings! 

The Power of a Shared Meal

The sight of the cooked biryani drew smiles and sparked curiosity among the guests, as many of them had never heard of biriyani before, let alone tried it. Our distribution team, alongside Hope for Food volunteers, eagerly served the hot meals, ensuring everyone had a helping of this delicious dish. 

In addition to our contribution, we were delighted to work alongside Leah from White Elephant (By Sala Thai), a local, family-run Thai restaurant that regularly volunteers their time and culinary expertise. They prepared delicious Thai curry dishes for the community meal distribution. The combination of Indian biryani and Thai curry offered a unique and delightful dining experience for the guests, showcasing the rich diversity of flavours from different cultures.

Beyond just serving food, the team engaged with the guests, helping to clean up, hand out toiletries and fresh produce, and most importantly, offer a listening ear. Many of the guests face loneliness and hardship, and the simple act of sharing a meal and a conversation can make a significant difference in their lives. 

A Taste of Home, a Touch of Care

The guests appreciated the effort of bringing something new and flavourful to the table. One guest remarked, “I’ve never had this before and didn’t know if I would like it, but I’m glad I tried it, it was delicious.” This sentiment was echoed by many others, who expressed gratitude for the warmth and friendliness of all those who volunteered their time to take part in the community meals.

For Sriya and Shimna, this experience was particularly meaningful. They were able to share a piece of their heritage and see the joy it brought to others. It was a reminder of how food can bridge cultural divides and bring people together in unexpected ways.

Reflections and Looking Forward

Our second experience with Hope for Food reinforced the importance of community and the power of kindness. It was heartening to see how a simple dish like biryani could bring so much joy and comfort. This event also highlighted the value of cultural exchange and the ways in which our diverse backgrounds can enrich the lives of others. 

As we look forward to future collaborations with Hope for Food, we are inspired to continue exploring new ways to support and uplift the community. Whether through meals, conversations, or shared experiences, we are committed to making a positive impact. 

You can help support their fantastic work here. 

In a world where connectivity is abundant, we ironically find ourselves less connected to the physical world than ever before. With 75% of residents expressing a desire to expand their social network and get to know their neighbours, it’s clear that many crave access to a connected community. Yet less than 40% feel they belong in their community.

What’s more, a recent study by the National Multifamily Housing Council found that resident satisfaction is strongly correlated with retention rates. Communities with higher resident satisfaction scores tend to experience lower turnover rates, with 75% of residents reporting that addressing wellbeing is important to community management.

With this in mind, developers are increasingly looking for ways to integrate health and wellness into their core offerings. Technology can play a crucial role in fostering this culture. Here’s how resident engagement portals like Spike Living can help build a wellness-focused community. 

1.) Facilitating communication and connection 

Online Community Clubs and Forums

Resident portals like Spike Living empower residents to meet their neighbours via online clubs and forums, then organise real-life meetups whenever they feel ready. From fitness clubs for activities like running, walking, and cycling to clubs focused on living with particular health issues, these groups encourage residents to stay active and build strong social connections. Unlike traditional social media, Spike Living can only be accessed by residents, ensuring that they are communicating with genuine neighbours without the risk of scammers and strangers.

Event Notifications 

Findings from the HomeViews Build to Rent Report 2024 indicate that residents participating in community challenges are 20% more likely to report higher levels of overall satisfaction with their living environment. By providing the ability for developers and operators to promote events directly to residents via the Spike Living app, this can increase participation by 46%, and as events can be ticketed, this allows staff to know in advance how many residents to expect.

In addition, community challenges are a fun and effective way to engage residents and promote a culture of wellness. Spike Living makes it easy to organise and manage fitness challenges such as step count competitions, cycling miles, or group workout sessions. Residents can track their progress and see how they rank against their neighbours, adding a friendly competitive element. As well as encouraging residents to participate in healthy eating challenges by sharing recipes, creating cooking workshops, and tracking participants’ progress through the portal. 

2.) Promoting Mental and Physical Health 

Access to Amenities 

According to Mind UK, there are numerous studies that reveal how physical exercise can improve mental health, from lifting moods, to improving sleep and a great way to connect with others.

By utilising  Spike Living, residents can view and book available fitness classes and amenities within a few taps, all from the comfort and convenience of their homes. Spike Living also allows amenities and fitness classes to be ticketed and chargeable, providing an additional revenue stream for property managers.

Access to Information

Recent statistics from HomeViews’ 2023 Build to Rent (BTR) report show that communities with regular health and wellness communications have a 15% higher engagement rate among residents, demonstrating the impact of consistent and valuable information on resident participation.

Resident portals like Spike Living allow developers to share regular articles, tips, and updates related to health and wellness. Whether it’s advice on maintaining a balanced diet, the benefits of regular exercise, or mental health support, these updates keep residents informed and motivated. In addition, developers can also create and schedule monthly newsletters that highlight upcoming events, success stories from residents, and new health initiatives within the community.

3.) Fostering a Sense of Belonging 

More than 80% of residents say they want to live in a neighbourhood with a vibrant mix of local businesses – places that bring character, charm, and a real sense of community to the area.

With Spike Living’s new Content feature, property managers can now create personalised ‘Around Me’ guides that encourage residents – particularly those new to the area – to discover everything their local neighbourhood has to offer. From cosy cafés and artisan bakeries to independent boutiques and barbers, this feature brings the local landscape to life.

What’s more, by partnering with independent businesses, operators can offer residents exclusive discounts and promotions, creating a win-win for both local traders and the community. The result? A stronger connection to place, a sense of belonging, and a deeper appreciation for the neighbourhood they call home.

Summary

Technology plays a pivotal role in building a strong community culture around health and wellness by facilitating communication, promoting education, encouraging physical activity and mental well-being. As operators continue to navigate the demands of modern living, integrating resident engagement portals like Spike Living into their developments is not just beneficial – it’s essential.

Looking for more ideas on how to incorporate health and wellness events into your development? Download our 2025 Community Engagement Guide, which outlines numerous health and wellness related events throughout the year.

Our recent volunteer work at Hope for Food‘s community meals initiative was not only a humbling experience, but also a powerful reminder of the positive impact that community service can have on both those we help and ourselves.

Selected by our staff, as Spike’s chosen Charity of the Year for 2024, Hope for Food is a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to providing essential services to individuals and families facing homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity in our local area. Their mission, built on respect and dignity, aligns perfectly with our own company values.

Understanding the Need

The issue of food insecurity in the UK has reached alarming levels, with 7.2 million people living in ‘food insecure’ households in 2022/23, an increase of 2.5 million since the previous year. In light of these staggering statistics, we were determined to take action in our own local community here in Bournemouth.

Hope for Food supports around 160 families each week with food parcels, fresh produce, toiletries, and household cleaning packs. They also cater to the homeless and vulnerably housed by providing food, drinks, clothing, bedding, and other essentials to 600 guests each month, on a twice weekly basis. Their comprehensive support system responds to both general needs and specific requests from social and support workers, ensuring a wide-reaching impact. 

Our Volunteering Experience

Our staff split into two teams for this initiative. The cooking team prepared over 40 portions of shepherd’s pie and 5 vegetarian options, thanks to the generosity of a colleague who offered their kitchen.

The second team was responsible for packing the meals, ready for distribution at the community meals. This collaborative effort highlighted the strength of teamwork and the collective drive to make a difference. 

Upon transporting the meals to Hope for Food’s community meals initiative in Bournemouth, we joined the charity in setting up tables to distribute a variety of items. These included sandwiches, cakes, soup, hot drinks, clothes, books, and more to the 76 guests who attended. Our team members took on various roles, from distributing hot meals to providing clothing, engaging in conversations with guests, and ensuring that everyone felt supported and listened to. 

Impact on the Guests

The impact on the guests of the community kitchen was profound. Many of them received their first hot meal in days, a simple yet vital necessity that brought comfort and nourishment. The provision of clothing and other essentials also addressed immediate physical needs, while the act of engaging in conversation helped alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are closely linked to homelessness. 

The gratitude expressed by the guests was overwhelming. For many, the community meals initiative is not just a place to receive food and clothing, but a safe space where they are treated with dignity and respect. Our presence and willingness to listen and support meant a great deal to them, reaffirming their sense of worth and humanity. 

We were amazed to see the number of volunteers who regularly took part in the community meal initiative. Their dedication and tireless efforts to support those in need were truly inspiring. These regular volunteers are the backbone of the operation, consistently showing up to make a difference in the lives of others. It was heartening to witness how our community comes together to support one another, embodying the spirit of solidarity and compassion. 

Benefits to the Local Community

Helping our local community benefits us all in multiple ways. It fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual support, strengthening the social fabric that binds us together. When we support those in need, we create a more inclusive and compassionate community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Additionally, addressing issues like food insecurity and homelessness can lead to broader societal benefits, such as improved public health and reduced social costs.

For us at Spike, the experience was deeply fulfilling. It provided a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together to support our community. We left the community meal initiative with a renewed sense of purpose and pride, knowing that our efforts had made a tangible difference in the lives of others. It was an eye-opening experience, one that has inspired us to continue seeking ways to contribute to the well-being of our community. 

Support Hope for Food

To sustain and expand the invaluable work of Hope for Food, we encourage everyone to consider supporting their initiatives. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every bit of help can make a significant impact. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community has to face hunger or homelessness alone.

You can help support their fantastic work here. 

The Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 requires building owners to demonstrate that they have effective measures in place to identify and manage safety risks. The Act enables residents in higher-risk buildings to have a say in the management of their building and raise concerns directly with the Accountable Person, who will have a duty to listen to them.

As part of their statutory obligations, the Act requires the Accountable Person(s) to prepare and keep under review a Resident Engagement Strategy. It must provide residents with relevant safety information and risks about their building.

The strategy will need to be provided to all residents aged 16 years and over and should be regularly reviewed and updated. It also forms part of the golden thread of information and must be submitted with the safety case to the Building Safety Regulator.  

What does your resident engagement strategy need to include?

Every resident engagement strategy will be different, but the Act says it must detail:

• What information will be provided to residents.

• What residents will be consulted on.

• How residents’ views will be sought.

• How residents’ views will be taken into account.

• How the effectiveness of the strategy will be measured.

So Where Do You Start?

One of the requirements of the Building Safety Act is that building owners and property managers should understand the needs of every household living within the building, especially if there are any disabled or vulnerable residents living there. As well as whether residents have a preferred language for communication. This will help shape your evacuation procedures and how you choose to communicate to residents on an ongoing basis.

Therefore, the success of your engagement strategy will rely heavily on how well you know the residents living within your buildings. Often this information can be difficult to access – resident information may be held in different systems, in sporadic emails, or managed by different staff. To ensure you comply with the Building Safety Act, it’s paramount that this information is easily accessible.

How Technology Can Help?

Spike Living has been designed to be the single view for property managers, with integrations to many third-party systems including finance, CRM and maintenance management. By consolidating data from different sources this enables property managers to quickly find and access the information they need, whenever they need it.

More importantly it enables them to perform various actions, such as having the ability to send out communication and documentation directly to tenants and leaseholders, whether that’s by email or directly to the Spike app. All communication and documentation that has been sent to a property, leaseholder or tenant is logged in Spike, with property managers able to see who’s opened and read the communication which forms an important part of the golden thread.

What’s more, with Spike Living, you can automate the sending of communication and documentation. For instance when a resident moves into a building, property managers are able to set up a workflow that can automatically send all of the necessary fire safety documentation and any other important information to them, ensuring that you remain compliant, and nothing gets missed.

Example

Taking the example of having to know whether any residents are disabled and potentially would require assistance to evacuate the building in an emergency.

If this information hasn’t been collected or property managers want to make sure it’s accurate and up to date, they can send out a service request directly to residents via the Spike app asking for residents to populate which then automatically gets logged and updated against the resident profile.

Once this information has been obtained, this provides property managers the ability to filter by these fields, and then send the appropriate communication and documentation such as tailored Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) or any other specific information relating to that individual resident.

Summary 

In order for your resident engagement strategy to be effective, consider the technology used to keep residents informed, engaged and updated.

Spike Living brings property managers, tenants and leaseholders closer together via a dedicated app, ensuring that important safety information reaches those who need it, when they need it. This helps property managers meet obligations and the latest regulations.

We are pleased to share that Spike has been nominated for the Technology Innovator of the Year Award at the Property Week Resi Awards 2024, recognising Spike’s dedication to driving change in the residential sector through its cutting-edge technology solutions. 

In 2023, we saw a surge in demand for our solutions, both nationally and internationally, with our award-winning resident engagement portal now deployed across more than 500 buildings in 15 countries. Along with new partnerships with industry-leading names such as Casa by Moda, Niche Living, and Baxter Homes emphasising Spike’s position as a pioneer in reshaping the residential landscape. 

Research has shown that a significant percentage of our happiness is tied to the quality of our living environment, highlighting the importance of ensuring a positive and convenient residential experience.

Spike Living addresses this by offering a comprehensive suite of features, including centralised document management, the ability to book onsite amenities and services, maintenance reporting, direct messaging with staff, and much more, all aimed at enhancing residents’ daily lives. 

Furthermore, Spike Living also serves as a bridge between residential communities and local businesses, revitalising the local economy while enriching the resident experience. Through strategic alliances and integrations, Spike ensures that residents have access to exclusive discounts and services, forging stronger relationship between residential developments and their surroundings. 

As we eagerly anticipate the Property Week Resi Awards ceremony on Wednesday 1st May 2024, at Grosvenor House, London, we extend our gratitude to the judges for recognising Spike’s contributions to the industry.

Congratulations to all the finalists who made the shortlist! We’re looking forward to an exciting night celebrating innovation, excellence, and the future of residential living.  

See the full shortlist here.  

After the success of last year’s charity initiative with Dorset Mind, we are thrilled to announce our 2024 Charity of the Year as Hope for Food. 

Selected by staff, Hope for Food is a volunteer-driven charity with a noble mission: provide basic necessities to those in our local area who are homeless or living in poverty. Their efforts include providing meals and food parcels, clothing distribution, and supplying small household goods. Hope for Food operates with deep respect and dignity, offering help to anyone in need, judgement-free.

During their Christmas appeal, Hope for Food, distributed 428 Christmas food parcels and over 1,750 selection boxes to children, along with 234 regular food parcels. Beyond food, they also provided gift vouchers, stocking fillers, and gift bags to families and individuals in refuges or supported housing, including four hostels which they support. This ensured that the festive spirit was felt by all, regardless of their circumstances.

In their ongoing mission, Hope for Food consistently supports around 160 families weekly with food parcels, fresh produce, toiletries, and household cleaning packs. They also cater to the community’s broader needs by providing food, drinks, clothing, shoes, bedding, tents/sleeping bags and other essential items on a twice weekly basis to the homeless, rough sleepers and vulnerably housed. As well as responding to specific requests from social and support workers, demonstrating a commitment to addressing both general and specific needs within the community.

Although they received remarkable support during the holiday season, the charity is now facing a drastic decrease in donations, averaging just 2-3 donations per week. Spike is committed to helping the charity maintain it’s essential food, clothing and household item supplies to that they can continue supporting those in need.  

 
As part of our partnership with Hope for Food, our team will be participating in a wide range of activities, including volunteering at Hope for Food’s meal distribution drives, soup kitchens, providing donations for food, clothing and essential items, as well as taking part in fundraising events to support Hope for Food’s mission to assist less fortunate households and families in our community.  

 
We invite our clients, partners, friends and members of our community to join us in making a difference by supporting Hope for Food throughout 2024. Together, we can contribute to a brighter future for those facing hardship. 

You can see all the fantastic work Hope for Food are doing and donate here.