Who does the Project help?  |  What does the Project offer?  |  What do the partner organisations do?  |  Why is the Cathedral doing this?  |  Funding and donations  |  Volunteers  |  News

Cathedral Archer Project

The Cathedral Archer Project offers food and a base to homeless people.
 
From this base, partner organisations work with homeless people to try to break the cycle of deprivation.
 
The CAP has been awarded the Queen's Jubilee award for its work.

Who does the Project help? The CAP works with the homeless and vulnerable in Sheffield to help them find pathways away from homelessness and exclusion. Homelessness can include sleeping rough, occasional hostel spaces, camping on friends’ floors and sofas, and squatting. The majority of our client base is made up of street drinkers, alcoholics and drug users of varying levels.  Top

What does the Project offer? Services delivered by the CAP are for crisis intervention and move on from homelessness:   Crisis intervention is to re-engage homeless or vulnerably housed adults with the relevant support services. This includes providing food, hygiene facilities (shower, laundry, fresh clothes), access to medical services (nurse, dentist, podiatrist) and contact to support agencies either through Project Worker direct intervention or Project Worker support to contact agencies (drug support, housing providers, benefits advisors etc.)   Move on support involves Project Workers working alongside service users to achieve and maintain stable life patterns. This can include work in drug harm reduction groups, education groups, occupation and leisure activities, and volunteering within the CAP. Weekly activities incorporate literacy, numeracy, harm reduction, arts and crafts, football, keep fit and gardening.   Occasional activities include wildlife trust workdays, music events and cycling.   Service users can register as volunteers and undertake various occupational duties within the project. This scheme is aimed at service users who have achieved greater stability and gives the opportunity to build up patterns of responsible activity. In 2007 service user volunteers were employed as kitchen staff, project assistants (maintaining the tidiness and smooth running of project areas) and to assist in the reparations needed before the former project building could be returned to its landlord, management of donated food stocks for food parcels. Top

What do the partner organisations do? Partners are based at the CAP. The partners work with different client groups including drug users, prostitutes, asylum seekers and ex-offenders.   What we offer the clients depends on the needs of the individual. It might be a needle exchange or condoms. Top

Why is the Cathedral doing this? The CAP is part of the mission of the Cathedral. It is engaging with people who are excluded from society.   However, it isn't about overt evangelism. It is about giving practical help to people in need. 'For I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me to drink. I was an outcast and you took me in.' Jesus Top

Funding and donations The CAP is a charity. It runs on generous donations from funders, sponsors, churches, schools and individuals.   Did you know that harvest gifts donated in October will last until July the following year?   The CAP says a big THANK YOU to everyone who donates. It all matters and is really appreciated.   It costs £350,000 a year to run the project. If you can help, please do!   You can make a donation by writing to Tracy Viner at the Cathedral Archer Project, Sheffield Cathedral. To arrange food donations for harvest, or at any other time, please ring the CAP office on 0114 263 6974. You can also donate online at www.justgiving.com/cathedralarcherproject Top

Volunteers There is always a need for people to help serve breakfasts and to contribute particular skills for the running of the Project. If you would like to volunteer to be part of CAP, telephone Andy on 0114 263 6974. Top

News Download the latest newsletter here. CAP works closely with other organizations in the city, such as ASSIST and City of Sanctuary. Top