How one Sheffield charity has helped the homeless community over the years

The Cathedral Archer Project exists so homeless people in the city ‘can change their lives for the better’.

Although 2020 marks the 30th anniversary for the charity, it is also a year that has been made more challenging as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tim Renshaw, chief executive of the Cathedral Archer Project, said: “When the Covid-19 crisis started, I was determined that we would stay open and it is thanks to the good relationships of those who lead all the support agencies in the city that we were able to continue to help people on the street.

The charity acts as a day centre where homeless people are able to get food and more.

“Everyone said we should close but we have been able to keep open seven days per week throughout. However we could not have done this without the generous donations from the public or the help from a huge number of dedicated volunteers.

“The team here has faced every challenge thrown at them and adapted to the all the new rules in a positive way. During these last six months 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.”

Tim, who was recently awarded a British Empire Medal on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his 15 years of services to the Cathedral Archer Project, added: “This year we are marking 30 years of the Archer Project and it is because we have that experience and built a strong and resourceful foundation that we have been able to deal with this crisis.

“One of the achievements over the years has been to move people off the street and into employment and stable housing.”

A photography group in the Peak District that was run for a number of years pre-Covid-19.

The Cathedral Archer Project acts as a day centre, where homeless people are able to get food and clothes and where they are able to learn new skills and seek employment opportunities.

From its establishment, the charity has sought to create an environment where homeless people feel welcome and it has gone beyond a place that just provides a hot meal.

In the 1980s, Sheffield saw high levels of unemployment, poverty and poor health.

In time, Sheffield Cathedral became a shelter for people who had nowhere to go and nothing to do, with tea and toast being served by members of the Cathedral congregation.

The Archer Project is located within the Cathedral.

By 2007, the Cathedral Archer Project had its own purpose built premises within the Cathedral, offering showers and laundry services, a kitchen, a medical room, access to computers, and more.

This has allowed the charity to work with other agencies to offer a wider range of services which support homeless people both physically and mentally.

Such services include one to one support and signposting, provision of in-house nurse and dental clinics, the opportunity to learn skills, enjoy new experiences and gain accreditation.

For more information about the Cathedral Archer Project, see: www.archerproject.org.uk

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