Throughout 2024 we continued to see an increase in demand for our services and by the end of this financial year we will have supported over 760 people. This figure includes in excess of 100 people we have supported through our outreach program. This stark figure also represents a staggering 55% increase over the last two years.
This number also includes an increase in the number of women we have supported, and below you can read about the progress of our Women’s Project and find a link to our new published Women’s Evaluation Report.
We also give an update on two of our largest fundraising and community events of the year, with an in-depth look at one of the people we support who took part in the Cambridge Half Marathon.
The continued demand that we are seeing at Wintercomfort every day brings a variety of challenges, not least financial. Despite these challenges we provide life-changing services, kindness, compassion, and a safe and welcoming space for all those who need us. My sincere thanks to our dedicated supporters for helping us achieve this.
Best wishes,
Sarah Halls, CEO
Women’s Project 2025
The Women’s Project at Wintercomfort is dedicated to empowering vulnerable women from diverse backgrounds who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Our mission is to provide comprehensive support across various critical areas, including assistance with domestic and sexual abuse, housing, benefits, debt management, and employment. We understand the challenges that many women face, and we are here to help them navigate these difficulties.
Through regular one-on-one key working sessions, we collaborate with women to set and achieve their personal goals, facilitating a path towards independence.In addition, we offer a supportive group environment every Tuesday, where women can develop new skills and build positive relationships within the community. Our aim is to create a nurturing space that encourages growth, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the women we support.
We have supported 140 women in the last 90 days.
Recently we released our Winter Women Evaluation Report. The findings of the evaluation highlight the profound difference Winter Women has made in the lives of its participants, providing crucial assistance with housing, mental wellbeing, peer support and confidence building. Many women report feeling safer, more confident, and better equipped to navigate the challenges of everyday life, including securing stable accommodation and gaining employment.
The report also identifies key areas for development, including expanding our outreach work and increasing peer-led activities. By sharing these insights, we aim to continue shaping this critical service into a programme that meets the evolving needs of homeless and vulnerably housed women, ensuring that every woman who seeks support finds a welcoming, safe, and empowering space to rebuild her life.
You can read the full report by clicking the link below
Cambridge Half Marathon
James runs the half for Wintercomfort again!
James, someone we have supported for a number of years, has once again ran the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon for Wintercomfort. He ran to help our charity, because “you have given me so much”. James not only wanted to run the Cambridge Half for everyone who is homeless in Cambridge, but also, rather wonderfully, so that he had “completed a whole marathon in two halves”.
Although homeless, James is active, fit and was more than ready to complete the run. James has openly told us his story, back in 2022; a story you can read on our website. Three years later, James is still struggling with the trauma he has faced. Although James is still living in his makeshift hut, and enjoying being close to nature, James has also spent some of the last 8 years moving in and out of temporary accommodation, often being moved around and it has always felt temporary. His dream is to save up to buy a boat, and to live on it, and be free and secure. He is “done” with temporary housing. He wants to make his son, William, proud, and see him again. James completed his run in a hugely respectable 2 hours and 32 minutes, a wonderful achievement, and we are all so proud of James.
A big congratulations, and thank you, to all of our other runners who participated to raise vital funds for Wintercomfort. Aside from James, our runners varied from corporate supporters and Trustees.
So far, we have raised over £4,000 and there is still time to donate to James and Wintercomfort runners.
The United for Cambridge Sleepout
On Friday 28th February 2025, Wintercomfort once again joined forces with Cambridge United Foundation for the ‘United for Cambridge Sleepout’. Cambridge United’s Cledara Abbey Stadium hosted around 75 hardy individuals from a variety of businesses and organisations in the area, including a team of staff and a Trustee from Wintercomfort, as well as Cambridge United Director of Football, Mark Bonner.
Participants left the comfort and warmth of their own bed for the night to raise awareness and accrue vital funds in support of our work with homeless and disadvantaged people in our community.
As we highlighted on the night, one night away from our bed is nothing in comparison to those who endure this every single night, and therefore this small act to raise awareness is hugely important. £18,000 has so far been raised that will be shared between Wintercomfort and the Cambridge United Foundation. We also gained regional television coverage as ITV Anglia filmed live from the event, including an interview with our Fundraising Manager, James Holden. Award winning journalist Henry Winter also discussed the sleepout and its mission in his podcast ‘The Winter View’.
You can find out more about the event, the Cambridge United Foundation and donate to our sleepout team by clicking below.
