Summer Reflections | Timing Matters
As autumn settles in, we’ve been reflecting on a busy summer at the Hope Centre. It was a season when many people took brave steps forward on their journey of change.
One story in particular has stayed with us.
For a long time, this client relied on our foodbank. It provided short-term relief during times of crisis, putting food on their table when money was tight and choices were few. But while the foodbank is an important emergency provision, it isn’t a long-term solution to food insecurity. The next step, for those who are ready, is RESET, our social supermarket programme, where people can shop for low-cost food and essentials while also accessing support to help them budget and plan ahead.
For this client, making that transition wasn’t easy. They tried several times to engage with RESET but found themselves pulling back. Each attempt felt like too much, too soon. At Vineyard Compassion, we’ve learned that our clients need to be ready to accept help and this is a common part of many journeys.
Change is rarely a straight path. It can take time to accept longer-term help, especially when life has been shaped by crisis or instability. We believe though that, false starts aren’t failures; they’re part of the path toward something new.
This summer, something shifted. When the time was right, the client stepped fully into RESET. They began to budget more carefully, shop sustainably, and think differently about the future. For them, this wasn’t just about affordable groceries, it was about building confidence and taking ownership of their life in a new way.
That’s the heart of what wrap-around services are designed to do. Yes, our foodbank provides urgent help in a moment of need, but it’s the longer-term support, programmes like RESET, CAP Money Matters and counselling services that create the conditions for lasting change. At Vineyard Compassion, we understand that people need time and encouragement to accept this kind of help. We will never rush the process. We walk alongside people until they’re ready, knowing that when the moment comes, the impact can be life changing.
As our Programme Manager, Miriam McAllister, says:
“We will be here with wrap-around services when the time is right for our clients. Our Hope Centre doors will be open.”
This story is a powerful reminder that timing matters. Every person’s journey looks different, and sometimes the most important step forward comes after many small, hesitant ones. Our role is to remain open and ready to meet people where they are and support them at their own pace.
Want to learn more?
Discover more about RESET and the other wrap-around services we provide through the Hope Centre: