Sheffield charity marks three decades of transforming lives for homeless people

In the 30 years since it was founded, the Cathedral Archer Project has helped thousands of people to move off the streets and into employment and stable housing.

Based in Sheffield, the day centre is a safe, warm and welcoming place for homeless adults to visit, supporting people to take steps to change their lives. For one woman, a 50-year-old who gave her name only as Sharon, its impact has been transformative. Sharon, who has shared her story as part of a campaign to mark CAP’s 30th anniversary, first turned to the centre six years ago.

When she moved to Sheffield in 1997, Sharon, who as a child spent time in foster care and a children’s home, was in a difficult place. She recalls how her life had fallen apart after the death of her younger brother and she was struggling with depression and addiction and involved in petty crime.

Come 2010, she had started to rebuild her life working with the Together Women project, which provides services to women with complex needs across Yorkshire, and four years later, she discovered CAP.

Among its support, the charity offers access to hot food and drinks as well as showers and laundry facilities, helps people to attend drug and alcohol treatment services, runs a volunteering programme and a scheme of activities to help people learn new skills, and provides a range of one-to-one support.

“The counselling I had at CAP taught me how to be nice to myself,” says Sharon, who now works in the kitchens preparing food having discovered a passion for cooking. “I am a quiet person naturally but here I feel safe and have sort of come out of my shell. It feels familiar here and the staff are great – no one has ever judged me, but they all know what is good for me.”

Sharon now has a good relationship with her own family, a home, a job and a partner. When dark days hit, CAP continue to encourage and support her.

“They never give up on me here and even though I worry about letting people down they never ever let me feel like that. I’ve always moved on when I think I’ve failed but CAP doesn’t let me feel like that. They treat me like a person. I feel very fortunate and am happy.”

CAP has recently run a 30 Days of Homelessness campaign, sharing the voices of people it supports, as well as staff and volunteers.

It encouraged people to raise money to help the charity by holding sleep outs at home and experiencing in some way what it feels like to not have a bed for the night.

Throughout the pandemic, it has continued to support homeless and vulnerable people in the city, working in partnership with other organisations.

Its chief executive Tim Renshaw was recognised in the latest Queen’s Birthday Honours list, being awarded a British Empire Medal for his work with CAP, particularly during the coronavirus crisis.

“The team here has faced every challenge thrown at them, adapting to the all the new rules in a positive way,” he says. “Even after a fire that completely gutted our largest room used for clothes and food donations and gatherings we only closed for a few days.

“We have also retained good communication with those on the street who have been telling us what they need and how important the support has been.

“Winter is nearly upon us and we are so thankful for the support over recent months. The days are drawing in and the nights getting colder and unfortunately as things stand the project will be even more essential as times get harder and we envisage an even greater need...We are 30 years, still going and still very much needed.”

CAP supports up to 90 people each day and costs around £750,000 per year to run. Visit www.archerproject.org.uk

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