The grant from the Matchroom Charitable Foundation allowed New Hope to completely refurbish one of their two pool tables with new cloth, new cushions and a general overhaul alongside organising a pool tournament for people recovering from homelessness.
New Hope provides accommodation and support for people who are facing homelessness in Watford and the surrounding boroughs. They support over 450 people each year, accommodating over 50 people every night (with the additional winter provision of 16 beds from November to March).
Several years ago, they were donated a full-size pool table which was installed in the common room. Since then, this table has seen intensive use with multiple games played each day. As a result, the table developed significant signs of wear. Now that the table has been completely refurbished with the donation from Matchroom, it once again sees constant use and opportunities for fun, community-focussed entertainment make such a big difference to the wellbeing of the residents and creates such a positive attitude in the accommodations.
‘With the table looking good as new, we decided to run a pool tournament because we noticed that residents connected socially with each other and staff whilst playing pool and saw that it was a healthy way of building community and providing important relief from the traumatic realities of homelessness. The tournament was held over two sessions in January, which is a particularly difficult time for people experiencing homelessness, post-Christmas. Prizes were awarded for winners of each match, and engraved medal and cup trophy for runner up and champion.
The resident who won the trophy went on to enter New Hope’s longer-term housing and set up a shelf in his bedroom on which he placed his trophy cup. He told me he looks at it every morning and is so proud that he won it. He said “I enjoyed the atmosphere with all the other people as it cheered them up. It cheered me up too.”’
Ian, New Hope
