Homeless charity Ferry Project gets cash donation from a Peterborough house builder

​A charity to help homeless people has been given a £13,000 by a Peterborough-based house builder.​

Allison Homes, based at Cygnet Park, Hampton, has supported the Ferry Project, a homelessness charity in Fenland.

The gift has helped the renovation of a commercial kitchen into a modern cookery school at the Ferry Project’s headquarters.

And to underline the support, Allison Homes’ chief executive John Anderson dropped in to meet staff at the charity.

The donation was made to mark the start of Allison Homes’ Whittlesey Green development, in partnership with Accent Housing, a national provider and developer of affordable homes, that will provide 130 new affordable homes, as a mix of shared ownership or social rent.

Mr Anderson said: “It is very inspiring to see how our donation has been put into action at Ferry Project.

Keith Smith, director of Ferry Project, said: “2023 was a transformative year for us, with huge steps made in our build and renovation projects.

"Using the Allison Homes donation we were able to transform our old commercial kitchen into a cookery school.

"The school will hold private courses and fund free classes for our clients and the vulnerable in our community, teaching them how to cook healthily and cost-effectively.

“We plan to run classes and clubs which will bring groups together who may be lonely or struggling with mental or physical health issues.

"Since we opened, 230 people have attended our workshops and cooker events. This year we will continue to deliver more of these activities and forge more links with community groups.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous support from Allison Homes. As we continue to upgrade our facilities it allows our incredible support team to work more effectively with our clients, giving them a more personal and welcoming place to stay, so that they are able to receive the love and support that the Ferry Project gives so brilliantly.”

Sarah Ireland, executive director of strategy and growth at Accent Housing said: “We are delighted to have formed such a successful partnership with Allison Homes.

"We eagerly await the completion of our Whittlesey Green scheme, which will provide 130 new, safe and sustainable homes for local couples and families.”