The award, which celebrates innovation and impact, was given in recognition of ITAC’s Crossways project, a winter emergency night shelter for rough sleepers, which has been running in Cambridge since 2021.
ITAC played a lead role in the national “Everyone In” initiative in Cambridge during the pandemic, developing the Crossways project model to support rough sleepers. The charity is at the forefront of supporting the city’s most vulnerable individuals, responsible for services to support rough sleepers from the start of their journey on the street, through to establishing a home.
The project, which runs 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, provides accommodation for 20 people in individual en-suite rooms, throughout the five-month winter period (November to March), along with 3 emergency pop-up beds during periods of severe weather.
The awarding body Housing Justice, the national charity and umbrella organisation for voluntary, faith and community organisations providing local homelessness services, undertook the Quality Mark accreditation assessment of Crossways. During their visits, Housing Justice spoke to guests, staff, volunteers, and partner agencies, hearing how each winter the project becomes a safe environment for rough sleepers in Cambridge, and acting as a vital hub for support services.
“Guests who I have spoken to during my visits value the safety and stability Crossways provides. Despite the lack of affordable accommodation options in Cambridge, the staff at Crossways support guests to secure positive outcomes and long-term homes”. Eve McCallam, Partnerships and Development Coordinator (Emergency Accommodation) at Housing Justice
This award could not have been achieved by ITAC without the ongoing support and partnerships with Cambridge City Council and the many other organisations in the city, including Cambridge Churches Homeless Project (CCHP), St Andrew’s St Baptist Church and Evolve Security, with whom we are privileged to work. We are also grateful for the work of our many partners across the city who come into Crossways to engage with our guests around a variety of matters and assist with the day-to-day running of the project. The confidence shown in our work by Cambridge City Council via the award of a three-year contract has been very gratifying.
“This award is a testament to the creation of a highly integrated partnership and working with an emphasis on a trauma-informed approach to support guests, many of whom look to Crossways staff as their Trusted Persons”. Chris Dade, Support Services Manager, ITAC.
After Crossways closes in March each year, ITAC staff continue to support guests as they move onto the next stage of their housing journey through a further service, Survive & Thrive. This provision delivers wrap-around support to each person to help them sustain longer-term accommodation.
ITAC’s Crossways project has successfully completed its third consecutive year, with continued funding from Cambridge City Council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, (formerly DLUHC). The charity is voluntarily funded and works in partnership with public, private and voluntary sectors to prevent and relieve homelessness through a range of vital services for vulnerable adults.
“We are delighted that the Crossways Emergency accommodation has been recognised as a project of excellence”. Lis Silver, ITAC CEO.
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