Our History

The Cambridge Churches Homeless Project was set up in response to the growing number of homeless people presenting at churches asking for help and sleeping rough in the city.

In February 2013, 4 churches (Emmanuel United Reformed, Wesley Methodist, St Andrew’s Street Baptist and Great St Mary’s) opened their doors for one night each to a small group of people who were sleeping on the streets of Cambridge. The following winter, seven churches (Emmanuel URC, Little St Mary’s, Castle Street Methodist, St Giles, OLEM, Castle End Mission, and St Mark’s) committed to offer accommodation from January to March for ten people when the weather was severe. In the winter of 2015/16 we took the decision to operate every night, regardless of the weather, for three winter months, and now for four. 

Each year the project has developed, learning through experience and incorporating good practice and policies from the wider homeless sector. 

In 2018 the Cambridge Churches Homeless Project became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and now employs a Coordinator/Project Worker throughout the year.

Since the Covid pandemic in 2020, the role of winter night shelters has changed. CCHP now partners with It Takes a City (ITAC), another local charity, to support the provision of 24/7 accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge from November to the end of March.

Huge thanks go to Heather Simmons, who was a founding member and who stepped down as Chair in 2023 to start her family. All our prayers and blessings go with her and Terry.

CCHP is indebted to Lucy McKitterick, one of CCHP's founding members, who worked tirelessly to create and develop CCHP. Lucy now heads up the King's Lynn Winter Night Shelter.

CCHP remembers and gives thanks for Stephen Barwise who joined us from OLEM and worked tirelessly as a Trustee from our founding until his death in 2021. Stephen’s generosity and dedication to the homeless and particularly those suffering from poor mental health will always be remembered.