A homeless charity in Cambridgeshire has received a £500,000 grant to redevelop its hostel and expand support services for rough sleepers. The Ferry Project, which has been assisting homeless individuals in the Fenland and Wisbech areas since 1998, secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

This investment will be used to improve living conditions at the Octavia View hostel in Wisbech, creating longer-term accommodation and providing round-the-clock mental health support. Charity founder and chief executive Keith Smith described the funding as “wonderful news” for the community.

Homeless hostel transformation

The Ferry Project has recorded support to over 300 homeless individuals every year, offering services such as shelter, employment support, counseling, and skill-based programs like cookery and art therapy classes. Buoyancy with this recent funding, the charity intends to renovate its hostel’s second-floor bedrooms to provide a more stable environment for its residents striving towards independent living.

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According to the charity, current rough sleepers at the hostel, along with former clients, have contributed to shaping the renovation plans. The project aims to improve the quality of accommodation available, with up to 50-bed spaces reserved for those in need of support.

In addition to building upgrades, part of the funding will be used to hire an employment officer and a counselor, both of whom will be funded for three years. A representative from the Ferry Project stated that this expansion would enable clients facing long-term challenges to access essential 24-hour care while developing vital life skills.

An approach to tackling homelessness 

Beyond the provision of immediate comfort, the ferry project approach aims to emphasize long-term sustainability. By the process of integrating programs like employment assistance and mental health services, the charity seeks to equip each individual with the necessary tools they need to gain back their independence.

Expressing his optimism on the matter, Keith Smith noted that the impact of the investment will be felt significantly especially in the area of enhanced support to the Wisbech’s homeless community.  He also pointed out the importance of community involvement in addressing homelessness.

The contributions of the National Lottery Community embody a big achievement in the ongoing fight against homelessness in the region.