Registered
- Charity no. 111109
- Date registered. 24/09/2026
Public benefits
Hand of Hope provides direct public benefit by relieving hardship and distress caused by addiction. Individuals affected by alcohol, gambling, narcotics, and other addictive behaviours benefit through access to volunteer-led treatment initiatives, rehabilitation support, mentoring, and signposting to appropriate recovery services. This support
aims to improve physical and mental wellbeing, reduce dependency, and promote stable reintegration into family and community life. Families and carers benefit through improved awareness, education, and access to support pathways, helping to reduce isolation and emotional distress. By campaigning for and supporting the establishment of volunteer-led addiction treatment facilities, initially in County Armagh, the organisation seeks to increase local access to recovery provision. Public awareness and education activities promote prevention, early intervention, and informed support. Partnership working with statutory and voluntary bodies strengthens coordinated service delivery and improves outcomes for beneficiaries. All benefits are directed to those in need and are provided for the public benefit without private gain. The benefits will be demonstrated through effective monitoring and governance oversight. Hand of Hope will keep accurate records of individuals accessing support, the type of assistance provided, and referrals to appropriate treatment or recovery services. Participation in volunteer-led initiatives, mentoring, rehabilitation support, and education activities will be documented. Outcomes will be evidenced through engagement levels, successful referrals, progression within recovery support, and sustained involvement in aftercare. Anonymised case studies and beneficiary feedback will demonstrate improvements in wellbeing and stability. Attendance records and evaluations from awareness activities will show increased understanding of addiction and support pathways. Trustees will review activities and outcomes regularly to ensure continued delivery of identifiable public benefit in line with the charity’s purposes. The purposes of Hand of Hope are intended to relieve hardship and distress caused by addiction and provide clear public benefit. However, working in this area carries some potential risks. Individuals discussing addiction may experience emotional distress, and there is a risk of harm if inappropriate advice were given. Awareness or campaigning activities could unintentionally contribute to stigma if not handled sensitively. These risks will be mitigated through appropriate safeguarding measures, volunteer training, clear role boundaries, signposting to qualified professionals where required, and trustee oversight. The trustees are satisfied that any potential harm is minimal and outweighed by the significant public benefit delivered. The primary beneficiaries of Hand of Hope are individuals experiencing addiction to alcohol, gambling, narcotics, and other addictive behaviours. They receive support through volunteer-led treatment initiatives, rehabilitation programmes, mentoring, and access to appropriate recovery services. Secondary beneficiaries include families, carers, and loved ones of those affected, who gain emotional support, education, and guidance to reduce distress and improve family stability. The wider community also benefits indirectly through reduced social harm, improved community wellbeing, and greater access to local addiction support services. All beneficiaries are individuals in need, and services are provided without discrimination. Hand of Hope’s purposes are charitable and designed to deliver public benefit. Any private benefit is incidental and necessary for delivering these purposes. For example, volunteers and staff may receive reasonable training, guidance, and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses to enable them to provide effective support. Similarly, partners or service providers may receive agreed payments for delivering specialist services where required. These benefits are limited, proportionate, and entirely in support of the charity’s charitable objectives. No private gain arises beyond what is necessary to achieve the relief of hardship and distress caused by addiction.
What your organisation does
Hand of Hope NI carries out its purpose by providing compassionate, community-based support to relieve hardship and distress caused by addiction. The organisation campaigns for and supports the establishment of volunteer-led addiction treatment facilities, initially in County Armagh. This includes engaging with local communities, raising awareness
of the need for accessible recovery services, encouraging volunteer involvement, and promoting fundraising efforts to help establish sustainable, community-focused facilities. Hand of Hope NI provides or facilitates rehabilitation support for individuals and families affected by alcohol, gambling, narcotics, and other addictive behaviours. The organisation offers listening support, guidance, and signposting to appropriate treatment providers, peer-support groups, counselling services, and other relevant agencies. Where direct provision is not possible, the charity works to connect individuals with suitable statutory or voluntary services to ensure they can access timely and appropriate help. The organisation works to improve public awareness of addiction, its impact on individuals and families, and the pathways to recovery that are available. Through community engagement, events, and digital platforms, Hand of Hope NI seeks to reduce stigma, encourage early intervention, and promote hope and recovery. Hand of Hope NI partners with statutory bodies, healthcare providers, community groups, churches, and voluntary organisations to strengthen local support networks and improve referral pathways. In addition, the charity promotes education and awareness for the public, caregivers, and professionals on prevention, recovery, and aftercare, helping to build informed and supportive communities that contribute to long-term recovery outcomes.
The charity’s classifications
- The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
Who the charity helps
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- General public
- General public
- General public
- General public
- Older people
- Physical disabilities
How the charity works
- Advice/advocacy/information
- Community development
- Medical/health/sickness
- Medical/health/sickness