Whitworth Trust seeks new chairperson to help secure future of women's hostel

A charity that fought to save a Cambridge women’s hostel from closure is looking for a new chairperson to lead the campaign.

The Whitworth Trust is seeking someone who can help it secure the funding that will keep Whitworth House hostel open for the foreseeable future.

A petition, launched by residents and backed by the trust, attracted more than 40,000 signatures against county council cuts that would have closed the hostel this summer.

The council has since offered an 18-month stay of execution for Whitworth House and the vulnerable women who live there, so the trust needs to find more funding quickly.

Current chairperson Ruth Jackson said: “When I took this role three years ago it was to raise money to support homeless women. But this huge campaign took off to save the hostel and we really need someone now who understands the housing sector, or has experience of gaining corporate sponsorship.”

Ruth, a lecturer at Cambridge University, has been working to save the hostel from closure with residents, homelessness charities and councillors after it was told £65,000 per year in funding would be cut by the council.

Ruth said: “We are at a good time for me to hand over properly and get someone in who maybe has more experience in gaining funding and understanding the housing sector. If someone has just retired and wants a meaningful project, this would be a perfect opportunity.

“We want to keep this as a public service and a home for young women.

“I’m very proud of the women in the hostel and this little committee who have risen to this big challenge. It’s a testament to the power of local people with a commitment to a cause. I hope it can continue to be a small voice that makes a little difference, but it is a significant difference.”

To volunteer for the role or find out more, email whitworthtrust@gmail.com.

“I’m very proud of the women in the hostel and this little committee who have risen to this big challenge. It's a testament to the power of local people with a commitment to a cause. I hope it can continue to be a small voice that makes a little difference, but it is a significant difference.”

To volunteer for the role or find out more, email whitworthtrust@gmail.com