Light Project Peterborough is the Bishop’s Charity for 2025. This amazing charity works to enable and equip the church and community to heal the broken-hearted, set free the oppressed, and bring good news to the poor. They have been active in Peterborough since 2009 and continue to support wherever they can.
Over the years they have led City Chaplaincy, Winter Night Shelters, Rest Centres during the Covid 19 ‘Everyone In’ initiative, Multi-Agency Community Support Teams and day time services through the Garden House, based in the Cathedral grounds.
As part of our focus on their work we hear Roy's story...
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Roy has had an incredible journey and has shown how he has used his experience of homelessness to propel and motivate him to get to a much better place in life.
Roy first went to the Garden House on 21 April 2023 when he was referred by the mental health team at the hospital and admits “I was in a mess”. By the end of that day, he was given a room at Hope House hostel. Over the next few weeks whilst he was living there, Roy received access to various support services at the Garden House. After about three months, Roy was given his own place to live which enabled him to progress further. This gave him the platform to start volunteering both at the Garden House and at the City Hospital as he “wanted to give a bit back for all the help and support I had received and also to help build up my confidence and self-belief. It was a lot better than sitting around and doing nothing all day, it gave me a purpose.”
Roy was invited by the Poverty Truth Commission (as part of Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service (PCVS)) to share his homelessness experience in the form of a video. Roy opened up and spoke about his upbringing, his battles with his mental health, as well as his hopes for the future. He wanted to inspire others who are or could be about to experience homelessness.
As well as volunteering, Roy has been eager to help LPP in other ways such as fundraising. He would admit that taking part in the Great Eastern Run would never have been at the top of his to-do list but through LPP, it encouraged him to give it a try. “It showed that I could go out there and do something competitive whilst serving a purpose.” Roy was determined to go again and try to beat his time and in this year’s event, he was an incredible six minutes quicker! This encapsulates Roy’s determination to better himself in whatever way he can. He raised over £500 from the two runs!
He has also taken part in the Peterborough Big Sleep Out on 8 March 2024. It was held at his beloved Peterborough United football stadium which made the night even more special for him. Roy raised £160 and loved being part of such a community event.”
To develop his skills and confidence further, Roy also completed a Homeless Health Peer Advocacy six-month programme. “A part of the programme involved helping and supporting guests with filling out forms, taking them to doctor and job centre appointments, and share my experiences. Being a Peer Advocate has done me the world of good! It’s helped with my mental health and brought me out of my shell. It gave me the confidence to apply for a job.”
From completing the Peer Advocacy programme as well as the other experiences Roy has encountered during his time with LPP, it led him to applying for a ‘Health and Wellbeing Lead’ role at Boroughbury Medical Centre. We’re so proud and delighted to say that he was successful in securing this job and will be starting on 4 November. “I am anxious but excited about starting this role. Some of my duties will be like what I did as a Peer Advocate which will help me. It will still be a new career path as I need to learn a lot of clinical terms and processes as well as go on several courses. But I am ready!”
Roy will be managed by Jess who comes to the Garden House every week to give appointments to guests on the Health Outreach Bus. She said “Roy has come a long way. He’s demonstrated that those who have Lived Experience can put it to good use. We’re pleased to give him a job which will make a big difference to our patient’s lives.”
Roy concludes “The journey has been amazing. I wouldn’t have believed on my first day at the Garden House, that I’d be where I am now. I’ve learnt a lot about life including self-care and wellbeing. I’ve realised you can’t help others unless you’re in a good place yourself. I’m very grateful for the support of Light Project Peterborough and my family, who have helped me so much.”
Further information on Light Project Peterborough, including how to make a donation or get involved in fundraising, can be found here.