Our belief that each person matters guides our work. With services under one roof, we help people build lasting stability.
About us
What we do
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to homelessness. We offer personalised support based on each person or family’s unique situation.
By combining trustful long-term relationships with expert and accredited, multi-service support, we aim to prevent homelessness. Where that isn’t possible, we work with people to alleviate its negative impact and reduce the risk of it recurring later in life.
We do this through interventions that are proven to have lasting effects on family stability and individual life chances.
Our approach
We believe that how we work is as important as what we do. To make this clear, we developed our own theory of change.
A theory of change is a simple way of explaining how what we do leads to change.
It shows the steps between the support we provide and the difference this makes for the people we work with.
We focus on four core areas
Housing stability
We prevent and alleviate homelessness by supporting children, young people and families to secure and maintain safe, suitable accommodation, working towards long-term stability.
Financial security
We support children, young people and families to meet immediate needs – such as food, clothing and household essentials – while working towards longer-term financial security through benefits and paid work.
Learning and development
We support children, young people and parents to build skills, knowledge and confidence at every stage of life – from early development through to longer-term goals – so they can make meaningful progress towards the future they want.
Community and inclusion
We support children, young people and families to secure the rights and opportunities they need to take part in their communities, access services and build social networks beyond the Centre that support long-term stability.
Our impact
Through long-term relationships and practical help, the people we work with strengthen their financial security, improve their housing situation, and make progress in learning and work.
Children have safe spaces to play and learn, and to spend time with their families, supporting their wellbeing and development.
Real change takes time. Our approach focuses on long-term stability as well as immediate needs, so people can build a stronger foundation for the future.
Why our work matters
Homelessness is damaging the lives of thousands of children, young people and families across London. A shortage of affordable housing and rising costs are leaving too many without a safe, stable place to live. It is affecting wellbeing today and opportunities for the future.
The impact on children and young people is significant. Insecure or poor-quality housing can disrupt education, affect health and undermine emotional development. Experiencing poverty and instability in childhood also increases the risk of facing the same challenges in adulthood.
Supporting families, children and young people early helps prevent greater hardship later. That is why our services focus on early advice, relationship-based support, and practical steps that lead to greater stability.
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Our vision, mission and values
Our vision, mission and values help guide our work and how we do things at the Cardinal Hume Centre.
Our vision
The Cardinal Hume Centre strives towards a society where everyone has a safe place to live and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our mission
Each person matters: The Cardinal Hume Centre enables families, children and young people to overcome poverty and avoid homelessness.
Our values
We are one Centre, working towards a shared vision. Our values and behaviours describe how we want to work with everyone – within our team, with organisations who share our aims and most importantly with the people who use our services or make their home with us.
We developed our values with staff and volunteers, drawing on feedback from the people we work with. Many have guided our work for years.
They reflect the Benedictine tradition of our founder, Cardinal Basil Hume, and the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At their heart is a simple belief – each person matters and has potential.
Value each person
The value of each individual is critical to our work.
We show this by the way we listen and build relationships.
Our behaviours include:
- each person matters
- we start with strengths
- we make time to listen and understand
- we give time to build relationships and trust
Welcome and include
It is in our welcome where the Benedictine roots of our values are most strongly felt.
A welcoming and inclusive atmosphere provides the bedrock on which every service of the Cardinal Hume Centre is built.
Our behaviours include:
- being kind and approachable
- communicating openly and honestly
- embracing diversity in our community and our team
Encourage potential
Potential is linked to a belief in the dignity found in work, education and participation in society.
Our behaviours include:
- being positive about everyone’s experience
- helping each person identify and develop their own potential and solutions
Work together
Our impact is greatest when we work together and with other organisations.
Our behaviours include:
- sharing information and expertise
- working towards clear goals
- building partnerships that deliver more effective solutions
Learn, reflect and improve
We want to make a bigger difference, and that means learning from what we do.
Our behaviours include:
- giving and receiving feedback positively
- welcoming new ideas
- using feedback to improve
Centre Life magazine
Each year we publish Centre Life magazine for our supporters and community. It shares stories of our work, highlights achievements, and shows how your support makes a difference.
You can download the latest edition or request a copy by email.