Vital support services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness can continue with newly secured funding for Cambridge Cyrenians.

Thanks to generous grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Ann Docwra fund, Cambridge City Council’s Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG) scheme and a funder who prefers to remain anonymous, Cambridge Cyrenians can continue providing life-changing support to individuals at some of their most challenging moments of their lives.

The charity’s Older Homeless Service, a lifeline for individuals over 45 who are facing or at risk of homelessness, has been awarded £20,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation and £8,500 from the HPG scheme, alongside funding from the Ann Docwra fund, Cambridgeshire Area Quaker Meeting and the anonymous funder This essential service enables older people experiencing or at risk of homeless to:

Secure and maintain safe, stable and appropriate housing.

Access personalised support that promotes independence and dignity.

Be involved in decisions about their care.

Access healthcare and wellbeing support, thereby reducing hospital admissions.

Receive consistent, long-term support that builds trust over time.

Cambridge Cyrenians’ unique approach not only helps older people avoid a return to homelessness but also improves their overall quality of life.

In addition, a further £8,500 grant from the HPG scheme will go towards housing support, enabling the organisation to continue offering safe, supported accommodation across the city for men and women experiencing homelessness.

James Martin, Director at Cambridge Cyrenians, said: “The generous support from these organisations shows the real value of our Older Homeless Support Service. Without the service many of the individuals supported would fall back into homelessness. Often our staff are the only regular contact people have with the outside world, which helps to tackle the isolation and loneliness many experience.”

Cambridge Cyrenians currently supports over 100 individuals each year through supported accommodation, mental health services, and community-based projects. These new funds ensure that this vital work can continue for those most in need.

For more information about Cambridge Cyrenians and how to support their work, visit: https://cambridgecyrenians.org.uk

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About our work:

Cambridge Cyrenians have been supporting people in Cambridge who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness since 1970, empowering them to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or past.

We provide both short and long-stay flats and shared houses, following a ‘homes not hostels’ approach. This means residents have a secure and stable place to call home during their time with us. We empower individuals to take an active role in decisions about their housing and support them in building independent futures.

Our diverse accommodation offer enables us to support a wide range of people, including those in employment, women, individuals previously involved in the criminal justice system, and older people.

Currently, we provide accommodation and support for over 90 individuals, with more than 30 people each year transitioning from supported housing into independent living.

Beyond housing, we offer specialist services designed to help people rebuild their lives. From employment support and community projects like our therapeutic allotment, to dedicated support through our Older Homeless Service and Mental Health Service, we ensure that everyone feels safe, supported, and part of a community.

With rough sleeping on the rise and the demand for temporary accommodation at an all-time high, Cambridge Cyrenians’ work is more vital than ever.

Our Links:

Website: https://cambridgecyrenians.org.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cambridgecyrenians

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgecyrenians/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-cyrenians/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cambridgecyrenians

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cambridgecyrenians

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cambridgecyrenians

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cambridgecyrenians.bsky.social

Contact for press enquiries:

Kayleigh Wingate – Community Fundraiser

E: Kayleigh@cambridgecyrenians.org.uk

T: 07958781773

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About Garfield Weston

Established in 1958, the Garfield Weston Foundation is a family-founded grant-maker that gives money to support a wide variety of charities across the UK. The Foundation’s funding comes from an endowment of shares in the Weston family business – a successful model that still exists today. The Weston family have a consistent aim. The more successful the family businesses, the more money the Foundation can donate.

Each year the Foundation gives away its income and donations have continued to grow. Since it was established, it has donated over £1.5 billion, of which over half has been given