On October 8th, two of our René House team members will be lacing up their hiking boots and setting out on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge!

Rhanajai, our Referrals Co-ordinator, and Jodie, our Services Administrator, are taking on the Yorkshire hiking route – travelling 24 miles across three mountain peaks in just 12 hours.

But why are they putting themselves through it?

Every day in their roles at René House, Rhanajai and Jodie come face to face with the growing issue of homelessness and everything that entails. They witness firsthand how our social activities and support sessions improve the lives of the people who find themselves coming through our doors.

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Why Social and Support Sessions Matter

When someone first transitions out of homelessness, receiving accommodation is just the first step. The real challenge is rebuilding confidence, combating isolation, and developing the independence skills needed to thrive.

Picture someone who's spent months sofa-surfing, hasn't socialised normally in years, and has forgotten what enjoying life truly feels like. Now imagine them laughing during a bowling night, feeling proud after mastering a budget in our workshop, or completing their first hiking experience.

These experiences are what we try to facilitate for all our residents here at René House – and it's exactly what Rhanajai and Jodie see changing lives every day.

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Why We Need Your Support

We know how much our social activities and support sessions help our residents' in their transition out of homelessness. The problem? We're funding these crucial programs entirely ourselves, and it's becoming increasingly unsustainable.

With more referrals coming in, rising costs, and reduced statutory funding available, we're struggling to provide the level of social support that makes the real difference in people's recovery journeys.

Right now, fewer people are benefiting from this essential support simply because we can't fund it all. Every week, we have to make difficult decisions about which programs to run and which residents can participate. This isn't sustainable when we know how transformative these activities are.

When someone who hasn't left their flat in weeks joins a group outing and rediscovers joy, that's not just a nice moment – it's a crucial step in their recovery journey. When residents form genuine friendships over shared activities, they're building the support networks that will help them maintain their independence long-term.

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The Challenge

This isn't just any walking challenge. The 24-mile circular route involves over 1,585 metres (5,200 feet) of total ascent – that's like climbing a mountain taller than Ben Nevis! The first recorded completion was back in 1887, taking 10 hours, and completing it in under 12 hours is considered a notable achievement.

As they say in Yorkshire, "it's seriously tough" – the guys will face steep ascents and descents on top of the marathon-like distance. Pen-y-ghent is probably the toughest of the three peaks, but the quickest to complete, while the trek to Whernside is the longest section, and reaching Ingleborough will feel tough with tired legs after conquering two peaks already.

Rhanajai and Jodie chose this challenge because they witness daily how these 'small' social activities make a massive difference to residents' confidence, mood, and outlook - so they understand the importance of raising the funds to help us to continue organising them.

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What Your Donations Will Fund

Every pound raised will directly support:

Ongoing Social Outings: Bowling trips, cinema visits, and group activities that combat isolation and help residents build social confidence in supportive environments.

Life Skills Workshops: Practical sessions covering budgeting, cooking, household management, and independent living skills that residents need to maintain their housing long-term.

Group Hiking Experience: We're aiming to host a future hiking experience for our residents – perhaps even the three peaks again! To do this mammoth task, we'll need to purchase and arrange equipment, accommodation, and transportation – giving people who may never have had such opportunities the chance to challenge themselves. We think this hiking challenge will give our residents something to look forward to, train for, and feel extremely proud about afterwards! It's life experiences like this that make such a huge difference.

Ongoing Support Sessions: Regular groups and one-to-one support that help people transition from merely surviving to actually thriving.

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Please help Rhanajai and Jodie Reach Their Goal

Rhanajai and Jodie are preparing and training hard right now to tackle 5,000 feet of elevation gain across Yorkshire's highest peaks – embodying the determination and resilience they see in our residents every day.

Your support for their Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge isn't just funding a worthy cause – it's investing in proven programs that help people rebuild their lives with dignity and community support. If you choose to donate £5 or £50, you're contributing to moments of transformation that ripple far beyond René House.

Please help us reach our £2,000 target and ensure that everyone who comes through René House has access to social support.

And please, send Rhanajai and Jodie your words of encouragement as they prepare for this incredible challenge!

To donate or send encouragement to our hikers, please visit our JustGiving page.

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