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 John’s story...
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John was born and bred in Peterborough. He was brought up in care but used his experiences to later gain work in the care sector to help others. He also spent time in the Armed Forces.
John was doing well, “I was working, I was enjoying life, and I had money every month to spend” but when he moved to Nottingham where he would spend four years with his ex-partner, things took a turn. The relationship broke down, so John decided to come back to Peterborough as that’s where most of his children live, but he had nowhere to stay. When he first arrived back on 5th December, he ended up sleeping in a bush within the Orton area. “I remember that night so well. It was a freezing cold night, and it was wet. I had to sleep at some point, so I found a bush and took off my big coat to use as a blanket. But when I woke up, my coat wasn’t on me anymore and I had been robbed.” Sadly, someone had stolen John’s phones and bank card. He decided to go to the council for help and they signposted him to the Garden House.
John came during the afternoon but by the time the Garden House closed, he had secured a room in a guesthouse. However, this was only a quick fix. “The Project Workers fought hard for me and chased everyone up until they got me a move to a better place.” This has allowed John to start his journey out of homelessness. “I’ve also been able to build a relationship with my children again. I don’t think they would want to know me if I was still living on the streets.”
Coming to the Garden House brings comfort to many guests as they can see they aren’t the only ones experiencing homelessness and it also helps with their mental health which most already struggle with. “Unfortunately, whilst on the streets, we do get a lot of people looking down on us. They think “oh look they’re on drugs, they’re drunk” etc, but they don’t think about the mental health side of things. Coming to the Garden House and mixing with others in similar situations helps with anxiety and if we need something or to talk to someone, the staff are always there to listen and not judge.”
John adds “Things have kept improving since I came to the Garden House. For example, thanks to the help of Teresa [Project Worker], who got in touch with Universal Credit, I will be getting some financial support in February which will help me along my journey. I’ve seen the doctor a few times as well which has made a big difference to my health. I have a cough which can cause seizures and Dr Beesley was able to diagnose and support me. And my stay in supported accommodation has also been extended to two years which helps as I don’t need to worry about being on the streets again.”
The Garden House has been open at weekends since November 2023. “It might only be open in the afternoons, but it gives us respite. We have a place we know we can go to for company. At times there’s banter and laughs and it helps boost morale.” Despite having children nearby, John found himself without family on Christmas Day. “I was grateful that I could come to the Garden House for a few hours. I wasn’t with family, but I was with friends.”
Like others, John wants to give back for the support he’s received. Whenever he’s at the Garden House he is willing to help out and would like to volunteer in the future when he’s fully back onto his feet.
John concludes, “I’d still be on the streets today if it wasn’t for the Garden House. I’m happy to make baby steps rather than one big leap and messing things up again. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Further information on Light Project Peterborough, including how to make a donation or get involved in fundraising, can be found here.