The Garden House

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The Garden House offers information, advice and support to the rough sleepers in Peterborough seven days a week. People can receive food, drink, clothing, a hot shower, and access to laundry services.

The doors to the Garden House, at the heart of Peterborough city centre, opened on 8th October 2018 when it was felt that there was a real need to offer additional support to those we were able to help through the Peterborough Winter Night Shelter. At least one new person sleeping on the streets comes through our doors per day.

Take a quick tour around the Garden House

We have linked up with service providers in Peterborough including City Council housing officers, GPs, employment agencies, alcohol and drugs support specialists, mental health teams, Police, hairdressers, chiropodists, and arts therapists. These services visit The Garden House on a regular basis to support people sleeping rough in Peterborough that come through our doors. To coordinate and lead all this, our project workers work tirelessly at the Garden House, supported by some amazing volunteers who are kind enough to donate their time.

“Volunteering makes me feel useful and I can share the knowledge I gained in my working career to help those coming into The Garden House. I like chatting to the staff and guests as well as making friends with the other volunteers. It feels like a family here.” Carol (volunteer)

The Garden House is a project that really changes the lives of those that come through our doors, because people in the darkest of places are given hope and made to feel valued and supported during some of the biggest challenges they will ever face. We need your help to ensure that we can continue running this project to the very best of our abilities. Our aim is to have our own purpose built centre and much thought and prayer continues to be active in achieving this. If you are able to help financially or donate much-needed items to keep us running, please contact us – or donate here. Alternatively, we have an Amazon Wishlist.

Accommodation support

Since 2015, Light Project Peterborough have been active in running and sourcing accommodation. We have been able to support people to move into temporary accommodation with the help of Peterborough City Council and other partners. Most people will secure a place at one of the city’s hostels or bed and breakfast until they can find a more permanent place. To help progress people into more permanent accommodation, action plans are created with multi-agency support. Working with partners on this referral and move on is a key part of making this project a success.

I am homeless, what should I do?

You can report yourself and where you are currently rough sleeping via StreetLink. To confirm your homelessness situation and to be put forward for accommodation, you will need to complete a Housing Jigsaw application. Should you struggle with that, you can come to the Garden House during opening hours (scroll down the page) and Project Workers or Peer Advocates will be able to help you.

I've seen/know someone who is sleeping rough, what shall I do?

If you see someone who is sleeping rough, you can submit an online report via StreetLink. You will need to give as much detail as possible within the report so housing officer knows enough about the situation. (what they're wearing, what items they have, have they spoken/interacted with them, do they have a name/nationaility etc). After a report is submitted, staff from the council's Rough Sleeper Outreach Team will go to the location to speak with the individual and confirm their situation.

If you feel the person is in immediate danger, then please ring the police.

Peterborough City Council Housing Team - They source rooms in hostels and supported accommodation across the city for those living on the streets to move into.
DDOT (Dual Diagnosis Outreach Team) - As part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, the team provide mental health support and consultations to those homeless or in Temporary Accommodation.
Boroughbury Medical Centre and Greater Peterborough Network - Nurses and doctors visit the Garden House every week to provide medical consultations to those who need it. They will utilise the Health Outreach Bus which is located onsite and provides a medical facility.
CGL Aspire Peterborough - They offer one-to-one sessions, group work and substitute prescribing to help with the recovery from drugs and alcohol for those living on the streets.
Fitness Rush - Every Tuesday they bring their mobile gym unit to the Garden House and provide guests with fitness equipment and support. Level 1 Qualification in Personal Training is also available to guests who wish to complete the programme.