Stories of Hope
Purpose and Belonging - Toni’s Story
I grew up on a council estate in Bridlington in a chaotic, broken home.
Life wasn’t easy, but my family loved me deeply, and we always had laughter—the Miles’s have a great sense of humour. Still, behind the humour there was pain, and I grew up surrounded by brokenness.
When I was 18, my mum sat me down at the kitchen table and said: “Toni, I’ve always said there isn’t a God. Well, I was wrong. There is—and His name is Jesus.” I don’t know why, but in that moment I just believed. Because it was my mum, the person I trusted most, I had no doubts.
For the next 12 years I drifted—sometimes in church, sometimes away—chasing love and acceptance in the wrong places. Substance abuse, unhealthy relationships, and searching for answers left me more broken than ever.
Then in 2015, when my daughter started pre-school at Christ Church, I found myself drawn back. By Easter 2016 I was volunteering at the food bank. God gently brought me back to life, giving me purpose and belonging. Today, I lead that same pantry, alongside a community of people who’ve found freedom in Jesus.
Through Stepping Up and leadership training, I’ve grown in confidence, learning to listen to God and others. I stand today as a leader, knowing tomorrow is in His hands. Jesus is the key. All glory to Him.
Welcomed as I was - Nicky’s Story
My name is Nicky Heaps. Six years ago, I left Leeds, running from the chaos of addiction to drink and drugs. I ended up in Bridlington, living opposite St Mark’s Church. One day I noticed they were offering free meals. At first, I went just for the food-but what I found was so much more.
Inside, there was no judgment, only kindness. People welcomed me as I was, spoke to me with compassion, and made me feel I belonged. That acceptance stirred something in me.I began to wonder what made them so different. Slowly, I discovered that it was Jesus-the one who could bring freedom and hope.
From being a guest at the table, I was invited to serve in the food bank. That felt like winning gold-just to be accepted. Later, I joined the Stepping Up course, nervous I wouldn’t cope. But with Gods help, I finished it. I grew in confidence, in faith, and in knowing God has a purpose for me.
Now I serve in the church and carry a vision to help the homeless and hurting-offering food, welcome, and hope, just as I was given.
From Fear to Freedom - Michelle’s Story
I grew up in a poor family where drugs, alcohol, and violence were the norm. From a young age, I suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands of my parents and siblings. At 12, I was fostered into a new family, which was better but still far from “normal.”
At 15, I met a man eight years older, and by 17 I was a mother, living in a hostel surrounded by chaos, drugs, and violence. That relationship ended after a few years, but the next one lasted a decade-which was filled with all kinds of abuse. I spiralled into shoplifting, depression, fear, and anxiety. This relationship nearly killed me, until I escaped.
But the cycle continued, I sought affirmation in unhealthy ways and fell into more destructive relationships. When drugs entered, my life collapsed completely. Sixteen months of cocaine abuse and brokenness left me without my children, without purpose or hope. In 2018, desperate and alone, I cried out to a God I didn’t yet know. The next day, I woke up free from addiction, and within a week my children were home.
Since then, God has restored my life and now I know he’s the one I cried out to in my darkest moment. Today in 2025, I serve in church, working alongside others, helping them find the same Jesus who rescued me.
Hope has a Name - Emma’s Story
I share this to bring hope to anyone who feels trapped or broken. My life has been a story of two very different paths, one marked by destruction and despair, and the other by restoration and freedom.
For many years, I lived in fear and hopelessness, I spent 15 years caught in heroin and amphetamine addiction. No matter how hard I tried to change, I always ended up the same. Nothing worked, and I gave up on myself. My life spiralled into darkness, I suffered with amphetamine psychosis, contracted hepatitis C, and lost everything. When my child was taken from me, I hit rock bottom.
But in January 2014, I walked through the doors of a Christian rehab called Hope House. The love, patience, and encouragement of the staff showed me that change was possible. For the first time in years, hope had began to rise in my heart.
Now, I am free from drugs. My daughter is home, I can drive, pay my bills, work, and support others walking the same road I once did. Today, I wake up excited for life and could share countless stories of God’s faithfulness.
Jesus took the broken pieces of my life and turned them into a story of healing and hope. Are you without hope? Hope has a name, and his name is Jesus.
From Darkness to Light - Donna’s Story
Before I knew Jesus, my life was filled with chaos and darkness. From the age of 17, I struggled with substance abuse and felt trapped with no way out. Everything began to change when I witnessed something miraculous in my brother’s life. Once broken and powerless, he was transformed into a different man. He told me it was Jesus who had changed him, and over time I began to believe.
In March 2020, as I lay on a mattress on my living room floor, overwhelmed and hopeless, I cried out to Jesus, “Please help me.” And He did. From that moment, everything began to change. My addictions to alcohol and methadone no longer held me, My life shifted from darkness into light.
Now I live with hope, not despair, I am part of a supportive church community where I have found belonging and purpose. For several years, I volunteered at Restore and later completed a year on the Stepping Up programme, which gave me confidence to grow as a leader.
Today, I am employed and manage the Christ Church Cafe. What once was broken, Jesus has healed, and He continues to lead me forward into His light.
