Bringing Hope, a Birmingham-based charity working with vulnerable individuals and families, has upgraded its building security with Paxton’s Net2 access control system, reinforcing safeguarding measures while simplifying access management across its multi-use site.
The charity operates from a busy facility shared with a nursery and partner organisations, meaning staff, volunteers, service users and contractors all require different levels of access throughout the day and at weekends. Following a network upgrade, Bringing Hope needed a system that could provide stronger oversight without placing an administrative burden on non-technical staff.
To deliver this, the charity turned to local security integrator ID Security Systems. With more than 30 years’ experience, the company recommended Paxton’s Net2 platform as a scalable and user-friendly solution suited to both safeguarding and operational needs.
Tailored Access for a Diverse User Base
The access control system now secures six key doors within the building, with administrators able to manage over 35 users via clearly defined roles. Staff, visiting professionals and weekend volunteers are granted access only to relevant areas, while tradespeople receive temporary access using time zones, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Bishop Robin Thompson, Executive Director of Bringing Hope, said he is not particularly tech-savvy but found the Net2 system easy to learn and now has a clear overview of who is where and when in the building.
Lost or unreturned fobs can be deactivated instantly, improving integrity across the site. Time zones automatically lock areas out of hours, helping minimise the risk of accidental or unauthorised access.
Lockdown Capability for Safeguarding
One of the most valued features is the lockdown function, offering rapid response in emergencies. Thompson said the feature is particularly useful given the vulnerable people they support and the risks that exist in wider society.
Since deployment, Net2 has streamlined access control while strengthening safeguarding procedures. Real-time occupancy visibility gives staff confidence in managing daily operations, and plans are already in place to extend control to the building’s lift to further segregate movement between Bringing Hope and co-located organisations.
Thompson said the system works well for the organisation’s requirements and that the upgrade to the network helped them become more fit for purpose in the current environment.