Posted on July 18, 2020

Back during the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Garden House was visited by the Prince of Wales! A true honour for all the hard work that has been going on both recently through the pandemic and since we opened the Garden House in 2018.

During the pandemic, we supported over 150 people in four different hotels, kept the Garden House open as the only bastion of support for people on the streets in Peterborough, and prepared a new multi-agency community support team to help people keep their homes.

Everyone worked their ‘socks’ off, as keyworkers for one of the most vulnerable groups of people in society; those sleeping on the streets. HRH spent over an hour with us to hear of our work and say a big thank you to everyone involved.

A group of those we have supported (our guests) joined us and shared their personal stories of change. Heart strings were tugged as they shared some painful life journeys, but smiles returned as aspirations and hopes for brighter futures in new homes were shared.

During the visit, Light Project Peterborough staff and volunteers were joined by some of our service partners, so that all those involved over the past few months were able to give an account of how they have contributed to the work in these challenging times.

The passion of front line staff and volunteers who had given so much practical support and encouragement was evident. The Prince heard from registered social landlords who are now working much closer together because of the pandemic. Other organisations were able to tell of how much practical input with food and much needed supplies they had helped us with to ensure no one went hungry or were in need.

It truly was a great day in our journey at Light Project Peterborough. The Garden House provided the most amazing setting and a genuine interest and passion from HRH to help people move off the streets was clear for all to hear and see.

Our hopes for that wonderful day was to raise awareness and support for people who find themselves in the desperate situation of nowhere to call ‘home’. Do sign up to our newsletter below and please consider financially supporting our work here.

All photographs Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth