A year of community and change at The Harbour Project
Like you, we believe everyone deserves not just a safe place to live, but the opportunity to connect, belong and thrive. Homelessness isn’t only about the absence of housing – it’s often compounded by loneliness, trauma and years of feeling excluded. That’s why our work, with your support, goes beyond bricks and mortar.
This May marks one year since we opened The Harbour Project, and it shows just how much can change when people are given stability, community and time.
"What we’ve seen over the past year is just how powerful it is when people are given not only a home, but a sense of belonging. Many residents arrived feeling isolated and unsure of their future. Now, they’re building friendships, supporting each other and starting to imagine what’s possible again."
-Amy, Manager of The Harbour Project
A place to belong
We see time and again how homelessness erodes social connections. Many people lose family ties, friendships and trust in services. For people who have experienced long-term homelessness, living alone without support or connection can be difficult and deepen isolation.
The Harbour Project responds directly to these realities, offering long-term housing, 24/7 support and a welcoming community where people can take their next steps at their own pace.
It is the first service of its kind in the UK, combining independent housing on one site with a community-focused model. It means residents have their own self-contained flats, retaining autonomy and privacy, alongside relationship-based support, shared spaces and activities that foster connection and reduce isolation.
The service is not time-limited, and there is no pressure to ‘move on’. Instead, residents are offered what they often haven’t had: stability and a community where they belong.
The difference community makes
Since opening, every single resident has sustained their tenancy and engaged in activities, including shared meals, health checks, peer support, volunteering or workshops.
Residents don’t just live here – they shape the community, choosing activities and supporting one another. This sense of agency restores dignity, builds confidence and ensures support is grounded in real needs and experiences.
We’ve seen increased access to healthcare and vital services, including 97% of residents with mental health needs now linked with support, and 95% with physical health conditions engaging with services. Residents are beginning to rebuild their futures, with 27% involved in education or training for the first time in years.
But statistics only tell part of the story.
Alina moved in after years of isolation linked to paranoid schizophrenia. Today, she feels safe, supported and connected. “I’m happy here. There are people here to support me, and I’ve made friends. I’m not isolated,” she says. Alina now helps other residents attend appointments and offers translation support – giving back to the community that helped her heal.
Naz, who is autistic, had spent much of his life feeling rejected. “From the moment I walked in, I experienced kindness,” he says. “Now I feel hope.”
One year on, residents are rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with interests, improving their health and imagining futures that once felt impossible.
The Harbour Project is already gaining national recognition as a model that works.
For us, it proves what our supporters believe: when you invest in people, long-term change is possible. And together, we can end homelessness one person at a time.
