I love a new thing. Something bright and shiny and fresh to excite and reinvigorate me, so when this year’s Annual Conference moved from Hope into Action’s hometown of Peterborough for the first time ever and ventured to Milton Keynes, I couldn’t wait.
There were some new ideas, the normal level of innovation I’ve come to expect from my colleagues, but thankfully it wasn’t a case of ‘out with the old and in with the new’ and some of the most powerful moments for me were instances where we retained longstanding traditions and honoured the past.

A lot’s changed in the 13 years I’ve been at Hope into Action. I can remember moving in my first tenant and then running to Argos to find him a camp bed to sleep on! The improvements and changes are significant to that rag-tag bunch we were back then, but I’m proud to say none of the important stuff has changed a jot. We’re still a charity firmly set on the foundation that we all need connection, acceptance, forgiveness at times and a place to belong. That was why listening to Rach & Ed Walker talking with honesty and vulnerability about why they took the plunge and invested in that first Hope into Action home 16 years ago caused a bit of a lip tremble! How special it was to take a moment to look back over what’s been accomplished, how God’s blessed us with growth and how that 1 home, bought in good faith, has now multiplied to over 130. It was an honour to then follow the Walkers and continue the theme of honouring the past, by once again presenting the Andy Lanning Award to one of our tenants.

Andy was a prison chaplain, reverend, encourager, believer-in-people and was one of those who encouraged and stood by the Walkers when Hope into Action began. His death was felt deeply by all those he’d impacted, so we give an award every year to a tenant who has shown the qualities he was so well known for: redemption, resilience and a deep longing to leave the world a better place than when you found it. Each year we hand out the award, not only are we celebrating the transformation and hard work that hope inspires in our tenants, we also honour the diligent work, persistent prayer and devoted faith of everyone in Hope into Action, but particularly Andy, which makes it so special that we are joined by Andy's son, Gareth, who joins us on stage to faithfully hand out the award each year.

This year’s winner is a worthy addition to those who’ve been awarded it in the past. She’s no stranger to the rollercoaster of life. From a place of ‘having it all’ she’s navigated through lows many of us can only imagine and is now fighting back and dedicating her energy to now supporting others who are struggling. What a champ. I think Andy would love her! If you've signed up for our newsletter you'll have had the opportunity to watch the moment Jess receives her award and hear a little of her story. If not, here's a little glimpse:

"With my heart breaking I had to leave my 2 wonderful daughters behind to find a way to get sober and survive."

Jess's story is one is immense challenge, and yet such courage, resilience and restoration, keep an eye out as we're working alongside Jess to share her story, to encourage others and show that addiction does not have the final say.

The Andy Lanning Award is one way we mark transformation, but we know that across the network there are stories of hope stirring, chapters being re written, pasts being healed and futures being dreamt. Where else is better placed to offer this than church and the followers of Jesus? Ed knew this. Andy knew this. And it’s our mission to let every tenant we pass front door keys to, to know it too.