New home and exciting future for Peterborough charity supporting city’s rough sleepers

Light Project Peterborough has been running the Garden House in the Cathedral Precincts since October 2018.

During that time it has aided more than 900 people with a range of support including healthcare and employment, while it has played a huge part during the coronavirus pandemic in housing people who were sleeping on the streets.

The charity this week re-located to Archdeaconry House on Gravel Walk - which is also in the precincts - due to their existing premises in Wheel Yard being sold by the cathedral.

And after a relatively smooth move there remains a strong desire to keep helping the most vulnerable people in Peterborough, with big plans also earmarked for the future.

Light Project Peterborough CEO Steven Pettican said: “It’s a beautiful building.

“We will be here for the next year but we are also looking at different sites for a long-term base which is exciting.

“For over 1,000 years the poor have been served in these grounds. We believe we are a key part in helping the cathedral serve the poor in this city.”

Speaking about the long-term plan for a permanent base, Mr Pettican added: “We want a centre of our own which will be totally fit for purpose.

“We’re working with the CCG (clinical commissioning group) about providing bespoke health services. We want a centre to have good health services for vulnerable people which are a stepping stone to primary health care.

“We’re building a very good relationship with the CCG and how we can work together in the future. And potentially for the future we want to help other charities and other groups who want to serve the poor in Peterborough.

“There’s the intention from ourselves and the trustees that we are here to serve the church community and other communities and take a role in empowering others to lead as we can’t do it all on our own.

“If we work together we can solve a lot of the problems.”

Steven also waned to thank Linden Homes which through its subcontractors fitted the new kitchen and provided lighting and painting, all free of charge.

The new premises will also be called the Garden House. The telephone number will remain 01733 560031, while people can email [email protected].

Further information can be found at: www.lightprojectpeterborough.org.uk.