The Cambridge Churches Homeless Project (CCHP) was set up in 2013, in response to the growing number of homeless people presenting at churches asking for help and sleeping rough in the city. Initially four, growing to thirteen churches and Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue, opened their doors to rough sleepers during severe weather. As the project developed the decision was taken to operate every night, regardless of the weather, throughout the Winter.
CCHP were an integral part of the city’s response to the COVID pandemic, including providing volunteers and pastoral support at Masters House, an 80-room accommodation project managed by It Takes A City on behalf of the City Council. Our close partnership with CCHP has continued over the last two Winters at Crossways.
Creating a home where guests can begin to relax and have time to consider their next steps required a huge community effort. Whether preparing, cooking, and serving evening meals, cleaning communal areas, readying rooms for new guests, collecting and sorting donations, or delivering food parcels, the volunteers recruited, and supported by CCHP were key.
Rachel Osborne, CCHP Volunteer Coordinator, oversaw the volunteer scheme, managing the rota, and encouraging community to develop between guests and volunteers.
‘It has been a great joy to work alongside the volunteers and to witness so many generous individuals giving their time and energy to this cause.’
Volunteers prepared varied, delicious meals for up to twenty five guests, seven days a week throughout the winter months. The volunteers found this experience immensely rewarding. They greatly appreciated getting to know the guests and valued learning more about the challenges of homelessness. They also found getting to know one another a ‘wonderful experience.’
Guests and volunteers shared discussions over meals and weekend volunteers particularly enjoyed playing Monopoly and other games with the residents.
'CCHP is looking forward to the next season at Crossways and working alongside It Takes A City to offer a safe and welcoming environment for rough sleepers in Cambridge'.
