As winter takes hold, The Archer Project is bracing for its busiest time of year. Based at Sheffield Cathedral, the registered charity has spent over three decades supporting people experiencing homelessness in the city. However, with the holiday season comes a sharp rise in demand – and they need the community’s support now more than ever.
Last month, Talya Stitcher, Communications and Fundraising Officer at The Archer Project, spoke to Exposed about the project’s vital role in supporting Sheffield’s most vulnerable and the critical challenges it faces.
In simple terms: as temperatures plummet, The Archer Project faces increasing requests for essential services. This year, demand has been nothing short of unprecedented. Recent statistics show that from January to October 2024, the project served a record-high 21,623 meals, including 12,214 breakfasts and 9,409 lunches. Talya explained the gravity of the situation: “We are under a lot of pressure and the demand for our services has increased, while our capacity hasn’t been able to grow. It’s not just us – this is a widespread issue across the entire sector.”
Beyond meal services, The Archer Project offers a safe space for people to rest, warm up and find support for some of the complex challenges they’re facing. In 2024 alone, they supported 1,140 individuals, with 393 being new visitors. Many return regularly, with 422 individuals visiting ten or more times over the past year.
Their recently launched winter campaign, Survival of the Warmest, seeks to highlight the harsh realities faced by those sleeping rough. “It doesn’t even have to be the worst weather to cause severe health issues like hypothermia,” Talya notes. “Long-term exposure to even moderately cold conditions can be equally devastating.”
The campaign recently featured a ‘fridge trailer’ installation, designed to simulate the experience of sleeping rough in winter temperatures. “We wanted to give people a tiny insight into one aspect of homelessness – temperature. But, of course, it doesn’t even begin to reflect the full picture. Those who stepped inside knew they could leave after a few minutes, something that’s obviously not an option for people living on the streets.”
When it comes to making a difference, the project’s impact goes beyond providing food and shelter. It offers comprehensive support aimed at helping individuals build a pathway to stability and, ideally, independent living. As such, they provide tailored services, from helping individuals secure healthcare to guiding them through housing options and opportunities for skill-building. Volunteers play an integral part in this support system, especially their Partner Volunteers – beneficiaries who have progressed away from rough sleeping and use volunteering to build confidence and give back. Together, they have contributed over 5,200 hours this year alone.
Talya stresses that while the organisation has adapted to meet the high demand, resources are stretched extra thin and funding does not always keep up. “We need the community to understand that we’re struggling to keep up with the demand, especially when it comes to providing the one-on-one attention and relationship-building that is so important,” she says. “Even £2 or £5 a month can make a huge difference. Regular donations give us the stability to plan and meet daily needs. The project is also in constant need of items like sleeping bags, warm clothing, toiletries and food supplies. But monetary donations make the most immediate impact.”
Additionally, the fundraising team encourages people to organise their own donation drives or contribute creatively: “We’ve seen everything from cake sales to skydives. Fundraising can be anything you enjoy doing really!”
Events such as their annual Christmas carol service at the Cathedral, scheduled for 13 December, not only raise funds but also allow the public to hear directly from those the project has supported.
Elsewhere in the city, local music promoters Jarred Up will be hosting a multi-band gig at Shakespeares on 20 Dec with all proceeds going to the Archer Project, while those of a red and white persuasion can now purchase tickets for the Sheffield United Legends Night taking place at Bramall Lane in March 2025.
Volunteering is a powerful way to support The Archer Project. Beyond the Partner Volunteers, the project welcomes community and corporate volunteers, whose hours are invaluable in meeting day-to-day needs. Talya shares, “It’s the volunteers who really make this place run. We couldn’t do it without them.” For those who want to get involved, The Archer Project provides various volunteer roles, from serving food to offering mentorship and support in different areas.
To find out more about how you can support The Archer Project or to make a donation, visit their website at archerproject.org.uk.
