The Archer Project started in the eighties when Sheffield was in a decade of decline and homelessness was clearly a visible concern. Members of the cathedral’s congregation provided tea and toast for those who came inside for shelter. That service became a full breakfast for people who were homeless and over the years it has turned into what it is today.
“Our aim is to give every person who suffers from homeless ness the chance of a different life.”
Our aim is to give every person who suffers from homelessness the chance of a different life. That means investing lots of time in building trusted relationships. People who are homeless on the street are there for a reason; nearly all experienced levels of trauma in their childhood that has led to chronic levels of distrust. Once we have trust we start to see different people who have hope, self-belief and a desire to be involved in good things.
We run some social enterprises like our printing company (printedbyus.org), which offers the chance of paid employment and eventually we see people who have the confidence to deal with life’s difficulties head on.
That’s resilience. Nobody ‘chooses’ a life on the street. People end up there and we should help them to end up with better opportunities, better homes and better lives.
We’re a charity so donating money helps us change lives. But we also survive by having good volunteers who can cope in a challenging environment. I would also ask people to check out our website archerproject.org.uk and listen to the stories of people who have been homeless and survived.
archerproject.org.uk
