Charity praises city's 'extraordinarily big heart'

A homelessness charity has praised the “extraordinarily big heart” of Sheffield amid a flurry of support for a £2m appeal to rebuild its city centre hub.

The Archer Project, based at Sheffield Cathedral, launched a £2m appeal in February calling on businesses in Sheffield and the wider region to help rebuild and upgrade its centre on Campo Lane.

The centre, which opened in 2006, requires much-needed repairs and upgrades so staff can continue helping people at all stages of homelessness.

The appeal has now secured an additional £211,849 of combined fresh support, including a grant from Liz and Terry Bramall via the Bramall Foundation, a charitable foundation that supports causes across Sheffield and South Yorkshire.

Rebecca Bletcher, chair at the Bramall Foundation, said: “Everybody deserves a roof over their head and somewhere safe and warm to sleep.

“We are thrilled to work with The Archer Project, a trusted partner, to deliver such fundamental work in tackling homelessness in and around Sheffield.

“The support, time and tools offered by The Archer Project leads to a sustainable solution to those in need.”

An additional donation was also awarded by Sheffield ward councillors for City Ward, Douglas Johnson, Ruth Mersereau and Martin Phipps.

Councillor Ruth Mersereau said: “The Archer Project does vital work with the most excluded people in our society. They offer humanity and compassion, as well as practical help.

“Not only does this address entrenched rough sleeping, addiction and trauma, their work benefits everyone who lives or works in Sheffield city centre by helping people take steps away from homelessness and into support.”

Councillor Douglas Johnson added: “As chair of the Housing Policy Committee as well as a ward councillor, I know what a contribution the Archer Project makes to the council’s homelessness prevention work.

“No-one can solve homelessness on their own. It needs everyone to be part of the solution.”

Sheffield Cathedral, which is home to The Archer Project and owns the building, continues to support the charity and the rebuild plans by providing the space from which its services are delivered.

The Very Reverend of Sheffield, Dean Abi, said: “The Archer Project does such incredible work for people experiencing homelessness in our city.

“We are proud to host The Archer Project at Sheffield Cathedral, and every day we see the care, dignity, and hope they offer to those who need it most.

“We are deeply grateful for their team and for the many people across Sheffield who support this vital work.”

Latest Sheffield City Council figures show homelessness presentations were around 3,800 in 2024/25. As of 31 March 2025, 739 households were in temporary accommodation in the city.

Joe Logan, head of fundraising at The Archer Project, said: “The response to our campaign has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“Sheffield has an extraordinarily big heart, and we’re incredibly grateful to Liz and Terry Bramall and the Bramall Foundation, Councillors Douglas Johnson, Ruth Mersereau and Martin Phipps and Sheffield Cathedral for backing our plans to rebuild our centre.

“This support is a real boost for the campaign and sends a clear message that people across our city want to be part of the solution.”

The Archer Project estimates the rebuild will generate a total net social value of £85m over 15 years, with around £4 of social value returned for every £1 invested.

The Archer Project’s roots go back to the late 1980s, when members of the Cathedral congregation began offering tea and toast to people experiencing homelessness who needed somewhere to go. In 2007, the charity moved into purpose-built premises within the Cathedral.

The fundraising campaign is now underway. The charity is offering sponsorship opportunities, including financial support and pro bono, in-kind contributions. Further supporters will be announced as the appeal gathers momentum across Sheffield and the wider Yorkshire region.

Businesses interested in supporting The Archer Project can find out more by searching ‘Archer Project rebuild’.