It Takes A City is different. Working in partnership we seek to end the cycle of poverty and homelessness in Cambridge, for good.  

‘To end rough sleeping in Cambridge due to homelessness, making sure everyone has somewhere to call home, with the support they need’.

NEWS AND EVENTS

FUNDRAISE

If you or your organisation would like to support us by donning your running shoes, holding a bake
sale or any other fundraising activity, we would love to hear from you. We are happy to come and
chat to you about our projects.

VOLUNTEER

Last winter over 100 volunteers provided help with preparing meals, laundry, cleaning, sorting

donations and supporting guests at Crossways. We also need female volunteers to support.

‘I am very glad that I volunteered there, it felt like a worthwhile use of my time.

DONATE

Help us support rough sleepers and vulnerable people at Crossways, The Haven and in the

community. We are always in need of cupboard items, toiletries and warm clothing.

CASE STUDIES

JENNY’S Story:

Jenny is in her 50s and in 2023 had been living in specialist shared accommodation where she was receiving support for some mental health challenges. Her behaviour was adversely affecting the other residents and Jenny was asked to leave. She ended up sleeping rough.

Mistrust meant Jenny’s engagement with support services was intermittent. She began occasionally accessing The Haven and, even though her behaviour could be challenging, Jenny started to communicate with ITAC staff and volunteers.

Shortly before Crossways reopened in November 2024, our team offered to show Jenny around the project to help build trust and confidence that we could provide for her needs. Jenny was able to choose her own room and was one of the first guests to move in.

During her stay, Jenny continued to face challenges with the shared nature of the accommodation but with support from our team was able to sustain her place until we could secure her a new tenancy in a female only setting within Cambridge, with an organisation that aligned with Jenny’s faith.

CYDNEY’S Story:

CYDNEY has been on and off rough sleeping in a tucked away site in the city for nearly two years and has struggled with poor mental health. As a result, she has been very withdrawn from services, found it difficult to build trusting relationships and found shared accommodation challenging. C was one of the first people to come to the Haven and has become a frequent user of the service, enabling her to build good relationships with staff members at the project. As a result, she was invited to visit Crossways before the opening date and given the opportunity to choose a room that she would feel comfortable in. She accepted the offer and staff have worked hard to ensure that her specific dietary requirements were met and she has continued to engage with the Haven and other women’s services. While it’s not been an easy journey and she has limited accommodation options, she has retained her accommodation at Crossways for 3 months over the winter. She has now accepted an invitation to move to a room in a quiet, female-only Christian environment which meets her very specific needs. The Haven has been instrumental in building a good relationship between C and support staff who are able to work with her to find long-term solutions.