Peterborough homeless charity to move into new premises next month

A Peterborough charity which helps support homeless people in the city will be relocating to new premises next month.
Archdeaconry House on Gravel Walk.Archdeaconry House on Gravel Walk.
Archdeaconry House on Gravel Walk.

Since 2018, Light Project Peterborough has been working alongside Peterborough Cathedral to use the Garden House within the cathedral’s grounds, as a base for their day centre.

The charity works closely with homeless people in the city, providing support, friendship and a place to stay. The project is focused around sustainable community living and is also able to offer residents other services such as healthcare, support in job searches and benefits advice.

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As of April 5, the project will keep the name the Garden House but move their base to Archdeaconry House on Gravel Walk, a building also on the cathedral grounds.

A representative from Light Project Peterborough said: “We opened the Garden House in October 2018 and two and half years later we are now on the move. What a journey it has been!

“The Garden House has become a place of love, safety and help for 100’s and 100’s of people. Since we opened over 900 different people have come through our doors telling us they are sleeping on the streets and been given help in so many different ways.

“When we received the keys to the Garden House there was excitement and real hope to see many lives changed. The staff and volunteers put their lives on hold and just got stuck into making it work. The gardens were so overgrown that it was like a jungle to be conquered.

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“There was tireless hard work in the first six months to get the house going and as a small charity we did not even know whether we could afford to pay the bills past the first six months.

“But, our faith has been truly blessed, and now we are moving into our new building with a view to having our own purpose built centre within the next two years. Many sacrifices have been given by many people to do one thing- to help those in real need.

“The book of Proverbs renowned for its words of wisdom throughout the ages tells us: Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

“Every day at the Garden House these words ring true. Those who have fallen to the bottom of society’s radar are given the love and respect that we all need to fight life’s battles. Where we have fallen, we needed a friend to help us up…Where we have lost our way, we needed someone to help us find the path…When we have become lonely, we needed family to wrap its arms around us.

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“The move will bring tears and a sense of loss, but the spirit of the Garden House is not created by bricks and mortar, it is created by love. It has and is created by self sacrifice of some of the kindest people one would meet.

One of the pieces of feedback that has stuck with me is: ‘Without the help from the Garden House I don’t think I would be here now. I was actually contemplating ending my life. I do not have enough words to say thank you…’

“Our next building will bring new life and hope, it is not by chance we move in a few days after Easter Sunday, week commencing 5th April.

“We are not moving far, and we want you to keep in touch and continue to keep partnering with us. We have and will continue to see the broken hearted healed, the oppressed set free and good news brought to the poor. We will keep the name The Garden House, and still be in the Cathedral precincts. For those who know Peterborough, we will now be the Lido side of the precincts in Archdeaconry House.”

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“From the team at Light Project Peterborough, a big thank you for continuing to work with us to help as many people in need as we can.

“Our telephone number will still be 01733 560031. You can still get in touch with us directly through [email protected] or sign up to our newsletter on our website www.lightprojectpeterborough.org.uk for updates on our work.”