It Takes a City (Cambridge)

Homelessness isn't just rough sleeping. It's this narrative that has meant women have been lost in the discussion. Homeless women die before homeless men, the only group where we see an inverse of the norm. Women live in the harshest circumstances for longer, have worse healthcare outcomes & tend to "survive" being hidden for a long time in often violent circumstances. They're not seen on the street to avoid vigilante and sexual violence - many use stimulants to stay awake all night because it's too unsafe.

Yesterday, the amazing Ken delivered a stash of turkeys and an incredibly generous gift voucher that will help us buy much needed provisions for Crossways. We thank Ken and BUCKINGHAM EMERGENCY FOOD APPEAL for their continued support.

We’ll be dialing back our social media for the next week. We wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported our work over the last year. Our amazing volunteers have helped make a home for the 20 guests (and their dogs) who will be spending Christmas with us at Crossways. The Haven would not be a safe, overnight space for women in the city centre without the many who have given their time and love. We couldn’t have done it without you and thank each and every one. Whenever we have asked for donations of food, toiletries, clothing and other items, your response has been overwhelming. Because of your generosity, our guests can look forward to a Christmas with gifts, a special dinner and cupboards stocked with goodies. Every donation has been gratefully welcomed. Thank you. We thank the many choirs, orchestras, businesses and community groups who have held recitals, concerts and donation drives, raising much appreciated funds and items for use at Crossways and The Haven. Also, thanks to those who have made individual donations via our website or in our collection bucket at events. The first residents have moved into Joy’s Corner, our Community Land Trust’s new modular homes project, just in time for Christmas. We thank the many businesses from across the construction sector who helped make this a reality. Because of your support, four people will be starting the new year with hope for a better future. We wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas. ITAC Team.  

We continue to be humbled by your generosity and would like to give thanks for some of the donations received this week. For a third year Companions of the Order of Malta - Cambridge packed and delivered Christmas bags for each of our guests, containing toiletries, thermals, underwear and other personal items. Cambridge City Foodbank once again came through with bags of goodies to help bring a little cheer to Crossways at what can be a difficult time for some of our guests. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference. Please contact itacdonations@itac.org.uk

⭐️ Two Festive Thursdays in a row! ⭐️ 🎄 Festive Thursday 1: None other than our very own Festive Fizz🎄 Last Thursday, the Cambridge Mills & Reeve | Family and children team hosted our Festive Fizz and Fries event. Before you ask, there OF COURSE lots of chips, glittery Prosecco and Christmas jumpers galore. We had a great turnout from the Cambridge family law community and were also joined by our wonderful colleagues in the London and Norwich Family teams Frances Bailey Jennifer Curtis Anthony Cule Nick Stone and Joanna Grandfield This year, our event supported the amazing work of It Takes a City (Cambridge). There was a collection of winter clothing and other items for the charity, with both our guests and colleagues from the Cambridge office pitching in. We collected a great amount of donations which have now been handed over to the It Takes a City team. Thank you to everyone who turned out in their best festive finery, donated so kindly and so generously and made the event such a great one! Shout out too to our fab team behind the scenes who put so much work into making the night run smoothly, including our amazing EA Serena Hanks pictured below. And if that wasn’t enough… 🎄 Festive Thursday 2: Fenners Chambers Christmas Drinks It wouldn’t be Christmas in Cambridge (in the family law world at least) without a carol and a mince pie around the Christmas tree courtesy of the team at Fenners. Thank you for having us along - we enjoyed it as always! Is anyone else feeling Christmassy or is it just me? 🎁🎁🎁 #cambridge #familylaw

Supporting Communities with It Takes a City 👏 We recently partnered with It Takes a City Community Land Trust in Cambridge to furnish four modular homes for homeless individuals. These homes were fitted with contract-grade, homely furniture to create safe and welcoming spaces. A big thank you to Chris Jenkin and Rebecca Howard for their support in making this happen! At Furncare, we specialise in manufacturing and supplying high-quality furniture for care settings, including homeless shelters, specialist housing associations, and mental health homes. With over 20 years of experience, we’re here to help care providers across the UK. If you need furniture for specialist care or community projects, get in touch at declan.turner@furncare.co.uk, visit www.furncare.co.uk, or call 07385 374 639. Here’s to making a difference, one space at a time. 🤝

Chris Dade, our Support Services Manager, will be live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire tomorrow (Friday) morning. He’ll be showing reporter Tom Jackson around one of our new modular homes at Joy’s Corner and then talking about how the project will support residents in their journeys away from the streets. Join them from 07:20.

Do you know one thing that makes Crossways special? We can provide a home for the dogs of people who are offered a place with us, meaning they don't face the heartbreaking decision of giving up their beloved companion or remaining on the streets. We have a couple of dogs and their humans with us over Christmas and wonder if there are any local (Cambridge) pet stores/suppliers who could spare some tins of food to help keep their bellies full. We can see the positive difference having them around makes to guests, volunteers and staff. We are also accredited by the Dogs Trust, giving every dog staying with us access to free preventative treatments and a check up. Please email itacdonations@itac.org.uk if you can help in any way. #homelessness #dogs #community

Do you have any spare blankets that could be donated to help keep women accessing The Haven warm and cosy this Christmas? Please email haven-info@itac.org.uk if you can help. Thank you.

Not content with decorating the tree in the lounge, the team decided the one outside Crossways also deserved a sprucing up for Christmas. Emma and Lucy certainly seem happy!