In April, Church Housing Trust proudly opened Willow Walk’s new training kitchen, which is helping residents learn and develop vital kitchen skills on their way to independent living. 

Willow Walk is a 22-bed hostel in the heart of Cambridge for homeless men and women, the majority of whom are rough sleepers.  It specialises in taking in residents with particularly high and complex support needs, including deep rooted issues with drugs and/or alcohol, and provides them with the support they need to address their problems and get back on their feet again. When many of the residents arrive they have an unhealthy diet, little to no kitchen skills and no experience of budgeting.

Church Housing Trust successfully raised £22,141 for the new kitchen facilities, which are being put to good use.  Prior to the opening the hostel had a poorly equipped kitchen which was unsuitable for training sessions and in desperate need of a revamp.  Staff are now holding cooking and food hygiene lessons, which have been well received and there is even a residents’ breakfast club.  The sessions provide opportunities for residents to acquire the crucial skills they need for independent living such as healthy eating, practical cooking skills and working as a team, as well as being involved with communal meals. 

Willow Walk is just one of over 80 projects for  homeless people throughout the country that Church Housing Trust supports through its fundraising all year round.