The Nest. Winter Newsletter. Edition 41.

Charity number 1064818

individuals have secured accommodation, which is something they didn’t have at the start of the In a BBC Radio Sheffield interview a year. None have found a magic wand, few months ago, I was asked if I’m but they have faced difficulties with hopeful for the future. It was a difficult the courage to lean on people and places for support; they have taken question to answer. the steps to make a new start.

As a charity, remaining hopeful is a constant task. But as 2024 draws to an So, it is with thanks to new tenancies end, I want us to dream about a and the chance to volunteer, to counselling sessions and peer mentors, happier and healthier 2025. to the on-site GP and wound care All the key statistics about nurse, and to our community, who homelessness are going the wrong have helped people’s moving into way. The number of people sleeping accommodation go a little bit on the street, in shop doorways and smoother. It is thanks to kindness. parks, on buses, and other places not designed for a good night’s rest, has It is thanks to all those who, in various ways, contribute to making it possible increased beyond our fears. for people to live happier lives.

The number of people, including children and young people, in I hope you’ll join me in leaving 2024 temporary accommodation continues behind, and striving for a better year to rise – and we know this is a risk to come. factor for experiencing homelessness in the future.

Dear Friends

Every 6 hours, a person who is experiencing homelessness in the UK dies.

And, as if we didn’t already suspect it, the UK currently has one of the worst records for people suffering from homelessness – despite being the sixth largest global economy.

How can I find hope in all of this? What reasons could I give for asking you to dream of a better year ahead?

Max, Keith, Jay, Rebecca, Vince, George, Alan and many other people we have supported. Some of these .

Tim Renshaw Chief Executive Officer

BEHIND THE COVER Q&A

Behind each of our covers is a real person with a unique story to tell about what The Archer Project means to them. In this edition we speak to Garry, who describes himself as an ‘all rounder’ for Archer Project Enterprises and ‘a bit of a nomad’, having moved back and forth between Bradford, Sheffield and Birmingham over the years.

When did you first come to The Archer Project?

About four years ago. I’ve never had a drug or alcohol problem, I lost my property – I've been fortunate that I've only ended up sofa surfing. My confidence and esteem was low, I was depressed. A lovely lady called H helped me. Without H, I don't think I would have been here still. She helped me get into accommodation.

How has the supported employment programme helped you?

The first job that I started doing was iron printing [at Printed by Us], which is like stencil printing, and then I progressed to doing hand printing. They’ve taught me a lot, I’ve even presented workshops with them. I also work for Just Clean.

A few years ago, I wouldn’t be able to walk into a meeting or just talk to people, because I had so many things on my mind. Being able to get up, go somewhere, do some work, spend time with some decent people – yeah, it sort of got me back to being me.

[The team] show you different skills, help you to advance as a person as well as mentally. And that's what The Project literally does for people, it makes you an individual. You have us there talking about who's made the most money for the shop and stuff like that, it makes you competitive. It makes you live, breathe – it's like a motivation.

What effect has The Archer Project had on your life?

The best thing that I say about The Project is that it does get people their confidence back. They’ve literally helped me to get my self-belief back.

You can see it with people when you're there, you can see the laughter and the confidence coming back in people, and you can meet people that's been through similar or even the same things you've been through. We have to reach a level where we've got a culture to share, and this is what I've got from The Archer Project. We're there for each other. That's the true beauty of The Project: people power.

What would you say to someone who is coming to The Archer Project for the first time?

There's always an ear to listen. Not saying you're going to get results done straight away, but there's always someone there to listen. The people I've worked with have always tried to open the doors for me, they've always been there for me.

Big up The Project!

Hear from the people we support Below are quotes from people being supported at The Archer Project, some of whom also volunteer in our kitchen, laundry, and donation store:

Staff and volunteers are approachable and understanding, whether it’s clothes, food, a shower or just a chat on the settee.

Without The Archer Project providing everything they do, I honestly wouldn’t know how I would cope...

Thank you all at The Project.

Socially inviting – board games, settees, computers, tea and coffee, a chance to mix and make friends, dine and socialise.

Supportive and understanding – nonjudgemental, listening ear, help with calls, appointments and more.

Volunteering gives me something positive to do in the morning, to help people who wouldn’t have eaten anything if we weren’t here.

It gives me a feel-good factor and motivates me to work tomorrow and the next day and the next.

The Archer Project is much more than a food service. I do not know what I would do without this.

Abseiling with Endeavour

You’ve got to try it

Getting off the street isn’t the end of experiencing homelessness. We recognise that participation and inclusion are integral to helping people build self-esteem. Everyone is worthy of having their voice heard, and deserving of living a happier, more fulfilling life.

One way we facilitate building on self-worth is through group activities that promote belonging, team building, and confidence. A recent trip to go abseiling in the Peak District was led by Endeavour – a charity that aims to enrich lives through education and adventure.

Jonny, a beneficiary of The Archer Project, said: “I just put my kit on and was first over without getting asked.”

“It’s the first thing I’ve done here since volunteering. I did want to go rock climbing, but I’ve got a leg ulcer that has stopped me. I’ve had it for about seven years. I’m getting treatment for it [at The Archer Project] now.

“It’s a natural high, it’s good. It’s not something I would have thought to just pop up and do. It’s only through here that I’ve been given the chance to do it.”

Jonny has volunteered for 3 months in our kitchen and hasn’t ruled any extra activities out!

“With any luck, my leg might be fixed by the time something else comes along, and I might be able to do something like rock climbing.

“Leg permitting I’d do owt. I’ve never done wing-walking, and that would probably scare me, but I’d give it a go.”

Stability Manager, Alicia Thompson said: “Jonny led the way for us all and gave everyone a confidence boost by doing the abseiling first.”

IN 2024 UP TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER, 58 PEOPLE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN 43 ACTIVITIES, ORGANISED BY OUR STABILITY TEAM

Facts and figures from The Archer Project For people experiencing homelessness, winter is inescapable. The Archer Project provides a warm, safe space where many individuals – particularly people living on the street – seek refuge from the harsh conditions outside.

Unsurprisingly, this makes winter our busiest time. Even before we enter this period, the number of people seeking support at our centre is significantly beyond our capacity.

Total number of meals served:

2022

2023

13,607

Highest service on a single day in 2024 so far:

Breakfast

20,428 Lunch

In 2024 so far

Total number of people supported at The Project: Number of people who have visited 10+ times: 2022

2023 2023

424

In 2024 so far

2022

913

1,103

In 2024 so far

315

*2024 figures cover the period 1st January–30th September

Pressure on The Snowdrop Project supports and empowers survivors of modern slavery and exploitation in South Yorkshire. Snowdrop provides Casework support, trauma-informed Counselling, Community Activities, House Renovations and Complementary Therapies (shiatsu, acupuncture, art therapy and yoga) to enable clients to recover from their experiences and rebuild their lives.

Surge in demand for services: 130% increase in number of adult survivors accessing services since 2020/2021. In the same period, number of children accessing services has increased by 65%.

Demand for Counselling service increased dramatically in past year – received 54 referrals in 2023, and already had 80 referrals by September 2024. Snowdrop anticipate that, by the end of the year, referrals will have doubled compared to 2023.

Waiting list for Casework service for the first time ever: 610 survivors waiting to access Casework support at any one time throughout this year. To mitigate, Snowdrop opened a weekly Drop-in Service, to ensure people waiting to access support can still have their most urgent needs addressed.

Costs have risen to unprecedented levels: 31% increase in interpreter costs, 127% increase in utilities costs, and 43% average increase in overall costs.

“We have adapted as much as possible to prioritise service delivery, and, despite the challenges, we have continued to increase our impact year-on-year. Overall, like many charities, we are doing more with less... For our team, this has meant working harder on all fronts, just to keep Snowdrop in the same position and protect cuts to vital services.” – Rachel Medina, CEO of Snowdrop Project.

“Rough sleeping is just the tragic tip of the homelessness iceberg. It is what happens when people run out of options.”

The Sun day Cen

tre

Local Services Likewise (part of national charity Waythrough) is meless ddddin the first Sheffield’s adult alcohol and drug service, partnered with Project 6. eping Likewise provides both treatment and recovery services with various s specialist teams, to reach diverse communities across Sheffield. The Home At Last Team (HALT) specialises in supporting people experiencing homelessness who have substance misuse issues.

Team of 6 with current caseload of 62 individuals: flexible, opportunistic and mobile approach to engage with clients, operating from the Likewise van or from support centres, like The Archer Project.

Cross organisational working allows HALT to expand their support network and reach clients who cannot access mainstream treatment and support.

The team can offer same day prescribing, meeting service users in their communities.

A client being jointly supported by SWWOP (support service for people engaged in sex work) said after 30 years of opiate dependency, she’s now accessing treatment and support through the Likewise van and “feels free.”

Richard Grundy, Lead Practitioner, explained there is “an ever-rising caseload. This is paired with the accommodation crisis, there’s such a high demand for suitable accommodation.” HALT also struggles to recruit new members, which Richard suggests is because “not enough people have the experience required to work with the complex needs of the homeless community.”

The Sunday Centre provides hot food and drinks for up to 150 guests each Sunday. The Centre offers guests a genuine welcome and the chance to socialise with others, regardless of people’s background or circumstances.

On Sundays, there is a particular need for a safe, warm refuge available to all because many of the other relief organisations close on this day.

Sunday Centre’s guests are Sheffield's homeless, rootless, marginalised and anyone in need. Their user group is diverse and includes not only local homeless and other people in need but also refugees, asylum seekers, and new arrivals in the city.

“The biggest pressure that we face currently is the rising number of users of our project. Back in 2020 we used to think that 80 guests was “pushing it” however these days we are now seeing 150+ guests each Sunday. And it doesn’t seem that number is slowing down or reducing.” – Michael Burston, Deputy Chair of Sunday Centre.

rs Regular Supporte Outside shop in Hathersage is a family business that’s been supporting The Archer Project for a few years. Director, James Turnbull said supporting the charity was “a no brainer!”

He explained: “We chose The Archer Project because they do such a great job for local people.

We wanted to do something good with unwanted materials, both environmentally and socially. It’s great to be part of creating a circular economy and keeping these materials out of landfill. We get lots of warm gear donated and it was pretty obvious where we should try and help.”

So, how do they do it?

Outside shop’s Re-Action Project is part of the international Re-Action Collective.

If you have outdoor gear you don’t use anymore, you can bring it to the shop’s donation drop off point.

Some items are recycled, or repurposed by Sheffield Clothing Repair. Suitable items including sleeping bags, warm clothing and footwear will be donated directly to The Archer Project. Other items are sold in the shop on a second-hand rail and these raise funds to be split between The Archer Project and Moors for the Future.

Brands including Mountain Equipment have donated repaired gear towards this, as well as Darn Tough and Bridgedale donating single sample socks for discounted pick-and-mix pairs.

Manager, John Bradley said: “Everyone chips in and tries to help, donating any stuff we’ve got free, most of us have excess products. It’s a dead easy process doing it through here – drop it in the bin, we sort through it, and take it out to Sheffield!”

James added: “It’s great to support something local where we know where the funds are going. There’s always a bit of excitement when we bring donations in [to The Project] and people come out to help unload the van. We get to drop the stuff off and meet the people who are going to get it, which is really nice.”

develop their confidence and transferable skills in a professional environment.

We aim to provide a nurturing environment for professional growth, as well as the practical skills learnt by working independently and as a team.

Alongside this, we offer support in exploring volunteering, further education and future career opportunities. Just Clean is a gradual introduction to the workforce if people are not as comfortable working directly in a customer facing role at our other social enterprise, Printed by Us. Just Clean is part of The Archer Project’s social enterprises. As a form of supported recovery, we provide paid employment opportunities, helping people with lived experience of homelessness to make progress towards achieving long-term employment.

At Just Clean, we deliver a variety of high quality, personable commercial cleaning contracts, from small independent coffee shops, to shared business spaces. We use eco-friendly products and our regular clientele provide our staff an opportunity to .

There are currently 6 people working in our Just Clean team, and we hope to grow this as we onboard more people to our supported employment programme. Everyone at Just Clean is paid a real living wage. By investing in people, our self-sustaining social enterprise is able to support more people back into work, and create positive change.

We have the capacity to take on a couple of new clients and are eager to find businesses in and around Sheffield that might be looking for a new cleaner, who also want to support our social mission.

If your business would like to make an enquiry, please contact: sian@archerproject.org.uk

”You being here for me – the whole Project – with college, absolutely amazing.

Priceless in my life.”

Our services aim to provide support and encouragement for people taking steps to improve their own lives. Two of our beneficiaries, who volunteer at The Archer Project, shared their experience of further education courses.

Max has taken several college helped me get my health back on track courses since he first came to The and look after myself. One of the most Archer Project. important things is it helped get some structure back in my life and some “When I walked into The Project, I'd routine. lost my job, been through a lot, I lost my dog and then my dad. I was in a “I've had a good education, good jobs. I very bad way with my health, used to teach scuba diving and worked physically and mentally. It was just, on wildlife projects. But when I lost my you know, hood up, head down, not job on health grounds I thought I'd speak to anyone. never work again, that there was no sort of future. The first course [Archer “I got support and encouragement Project] supported me with was a from staff to get help from the construction skills certification, which I doctor when I wouldn't have done – if passed with flying colours!

I hadn't, I might have lost a finger, or even my hand, because I'd had a “Then I did an introductory course really chronic infection. about substance misuse, along with another volunteer. It was quite an “I started volunteering in the kitchen. emotional thing because the last time I It was really good to be around people, to feel part of a community, and to feel valued… being around fresh food, and making things that are good for you, and being with a good team – there’s a bit of banter.

“Doing something with people who are trying to sort of achieve the same thing, and then going out and doing some of the social events, the activities and things like that, it

went [to that college] was on an open day when I was in rehab. There was about eight of us that went round at the time, and almost half of them are dead now. So, it was really good going with somebody else from The Project.

“Next, I did peer mentoring, and now I’ve nearly finished a Level 3 in Education and Training. One of the things I'm looking to do with that is become a teacher in further education. College is a positive place because you meet people who are looking to change their lives, there's a lot of people who have come overcome challenges.

“Throughout, The Project have supported me with travel and food, and they were just encouraging about it which helped motivate me.

I’ve also been on the [Project’s] Peer Mentoring Programme – it helps me to sort of just relate to somebody who's been there and done that.

“The volunteering has given me structure, I’m developing friendships, and it's helping to give me my confidence back. I feel like part of society again, and not isolated and depressed.”

Frank is currently studying development and web design.

app

“Since I was very young I've always liked technology and video games.

When I was at junior school I used to love playing with computers.

“I've done my own website and designed an app before, but coding’s a totally different language. There's some people who can literally speak that language effortlessly, like the teacher that we've got, he's amazing. It's enthralling, he's really engaging.

“I’m easily distracted so when it comes to college it’s a wonderful environment to learn in. I'm not saying [the teacher] holds your hand the whole way, but he definitely does guide you through.

“It’s giving me an amazing amount of confidence, meeting new people, taking myself out of my own comfort zone. I get apprehensive sometimes being around people, but it's something that The Project encourages me with, to be more open and accepting of my own self. If I keep putting up barriers saying this may happen, that may happen, I'll never live life.

“The qualification for myself [after the course] would definitely be being confident and comfortable enough to be able to be in any environment, whether it be college or university, and know that I'm capable… the confidence that will give me.

“I'm looking forward to learning much more. And hopefully, there's an advanced course which I will be going onto. You being here for me – the whole Project – with college, absolutely amazing. Priceless in my life.”

Everyone’s path away from experiencing homelessness is different. We support, encourage and remove any barriers we can to help people in achieving their goals, whatever those may be.

THE ARCHER PROJECT'S

CAROL SERVICE FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER 12:30 SHEFFIELD CATHEDRAL Join us at our annual Carol Service to sing along to cherished Christmas songs and hear stories from people we support.

Service will be followed by homemade soup and rolls.

Charity number 1064818

TO GET INVOLVED, PLEASE CONTACT OUR TEAM (DETAILS ON BACK COVER)

Regular Su pporters Sales Director, Emilia Hunt shared with us why Metro Finance support The Archer Project.

“We are based in Sheffield, and it was important for us when choosing a charity to ensure we were supporting our local people. We work within the sector of affordable housing, allowing people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to purchase a property, to have the chance to own their home.

“However, we wanted to take this one step further and support a charity which helps people experiencing homelessness as well. It connects to our business, and also to our community spirit of the company.

“We support The Archer Project via a monthly donation, plus sending two volunteers to serve breakfast every week, and we love to do a clothes and food drive within the office. Most recently, four members of our team ran the 10K in Sheffield and asked for food donations rather than money, .

which was a huge success.

“Our favourite part of all this is definitely serving the breakfast every week – so much so we even have a rota for who gets to do it! It gets us out of our office for a couple of hours, and allows us to see the people that we are helping. This drives our team to do even more to support, and feels much more connected to the charity.

“If your business is thinking of supporting The Archer Project we’d say do it, get involved! It doesn’t have to take a huge amount of time or money, but if everyone supports a charity it can mean so much. For us at Metro it’s been so rewarding, and brought people together as they think about their next fundraising idea. And it’s such a positive experience.”

In Short Supply Coffee Sugar Pot noodles Snacks Flour Bowls

Visit www.archerproject.org.uk/gifts-in-kind to view the full list or send items from our wishlist

Socks Coats and jumpers/hoodies Men’s boxers (size S and M) Men’s trainers (size 8, 9 and 10) Men’s trousers (up to size 38") Laundry powder

Contact Address The Archer Project, Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street, Sheffield, S1 1HA If you’re dropping off donated items please visit the entrance on Campo Lane, S1 2EF, Mon-Fri, 8.30am-1pm.

Telephone

Email

Reception 0114 263 6970

contactus@archerproject.org.uk

Funding/Donation www.archerproject.org.uk/donate

Volunteering Please send us an email or give us a call, using the details above

See more on social media

Search for: Archer Project or @archerproject