Building Stronger Futures appeal launched to raise £900,000 for new Centre 33 support hub
Centre 33 has launched a £900,000 fundraising appeal – supported by the Cambridge Independent – for its new hub in the city to support young people up to 25.
A charity which has supported young people in Cambridge for more than 40 years, it was founded in 1981 at 33 Clarendon Street and has since supported young people from its drop-in hub, providing free and confidential support for mental health, caring responsibilities and practical issues including housing.
One young person supported by Centre 33 said: “I had no support. I was alone and had Centre 33 not been there and helped me, I honestly don’t believe I would be here today.
“Centre 33 made sure I had a place to sleep, food to eat and a warm place during the day, as well as listening to me. Thank you so much for being there when no-one else was.”
But in one of the UK’s most unequal cities, with many young people living in deprivation and rising numbers experiencing mental health problems, there is not enough space to to support those seeking help.
Now, thanks to significant grants from The Evelyn Trust and The John Apthorp Charity, Centre 33 has bought a building on the corner of James Street and Maids Causeway to create a new early support hub for young people. It is three times bigger than its Clarendon Street space and will enable double the number of young people to be supported – up to 4,000 each year.
The building needs significant refurbishment before it can open. Centre 33 has set a fundraising target of £3m and has raised £2.1m thanks to generous funders but is today (Wednesday, 7 May) launching its Building Stronger Futures appeal – supported by the Cambridge Independent – to raise the remaining £900,000.
The hub will have more space for one-to-one and group support, as well as room for multiple partner organisations, ensuring joined-up support.
Beth Green, Centre 33’s chief executive, said: “Young people tell us they have no-one to talk to. We know early, flexible support without barriers makes all the difference. Our new hub will enable thousands more young people to access support every year.
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to think big and ambitious, and develop something that will make a significant long-term impact for the young people of Cambridge and across the county.
“Last year, over 90 per cent of the young people we supported progressed towards their goals and over 70 per cent had improved mental health. Supporting young people changes lives.
“There are lots of ways to support the Building Stronger Futures appeal. You could donate, organise a fundraiser, ask your workplace to match your efforts or simply share the news of the appeal.”
It will be one of five Centre 33 hubs around Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – the charity, which has supported over 50,000 young people since 1981, also has drop-in hubs in Ely, Peterborough, Huntingdon and Wisbech.
To find out more about the appeal, visit centre33.org.uk/new-cambridge-hub. You can also attend open hub events being at 33 Clarendon Street, Cambridge, CB1 1JX, at 6.30-8.30pm on Thursday, 5 June and 2.30-4.30pm on Saturday, 12 July.
Centre 33 will continue to offer support from Clarendon Street until the new building opens. For more about Centre 33, its support and getting involved, visit centre33.org.uk.
