Cambridge Cyrenians Directors Blog September 2020

As I write this it’s difficult not to fear that we are on the cusp of another lock down following rising cases in Europe now being mirrored in the UK. But after a difficult period of lock down Cambridge Cyrenians are on a steady return to an almost normal mode of operation.

As a service we survived the pandemic and lock down period well, managing to maintain good levels of occupancy throughout lockdown, only asking people to leave when they were unable to control their actions and their behaviour was putting other residents at risk.

The absence of staff being on hand to deal with situations and support our residents whom were struggling, along with the realisation of some that they would be able to push the limits of acceptable behaviour did make this period extremely difficult to manage.

However, many of our residents responded responsibly and positively to the new situation they found themselves in, despite the reduction in face to face support and changing support workers as staff members faced their own challenges, working from home, shielding and dealing with unexpected childcare and home life changes.

Throughout the pandemic Cambridge City Council in conjunction with all the homeless support agencies have worked in close partnership and achieved fantastic results for many of the rough sleepers and hidden homeless that have been exposed by the ‘everyone in’ commitment.

Cambridge Cyrenians provided one of our Project Workers to support those who had been temporarily housed in the hotel accommodation. Jimmy’s, Wintercomfort, It Takes a City and many others have managed a monumental effort to provide food, support and resettlement to the hotel residents.

A by-product of this has been that we have seen increased move-on from our accommodation with Cambridge City Council supporting our ability to access social housing and private rented accommodation in the city, allowing our residents to move into independent permanent accommodation. Thus providing essential supported bed spaces for those needing resettlement for the hotels and other temporary measures.

I guess every situation has positive outcomes and for me the exposure of the true hidden homeless position, and in turn the increase in partnership working and move-on options for our residents is an unexpected and welcome surprise from a dire situation.

Looking forward it’s difficult to see too many positives but without going into details I am sure that Cambridge Cyrenians will be on hand to support those homeless and in housing need in the future.