History

1989 Sylvia and Terry Salmon moved from Essex to manage a new young people’s hostel in Cheltenham for a newly formed charity – The Ratcliffe Trust. The Trust purchased 66 St Paul’s Road where the Cheltenham Young Homeless Project was established as a safe and secure refuge for young homeless people. The image that Cheltenham was entirely populated by the healthy and wealthy was about to be shattered and it soon became clear that many 16 to 25 year olds were suffering some form of housing crisis or social problem. Within a week of opening, the 12 bed hostel was filled to capacity.

1990 Further premises were developed to allow young people to gradually become more independent and integrate into the community. The concept of a holistic approach to help young people and their families “Realise their Potential” was born and remains the fundamental objective of the charity today.

1992 Services were expanded to include a Family Support Service.

1993 Juvenile Support (JuST) team was created to provide Appropriate Adults for young people arrested for an alleged crime and detained in police custody.

1994 Name changed to Young Homeless Project (YHP)

1996 Furniture Recycling Scheme was launched, funded by the National Lottery. The project was officially opened by HRH Princess Royal.

1998 Name changed to Cheltenham Community Projects (CCP) to better reflect both the variety and scope of work being undertaken In recognition for their work with socially, educationally and economically disadvantaged young people, CCP were invited to join the Foyer Consortium. Also became the first voluntary organisation in Cheltenham to achieve the Investors in People status.

1999 Government funding received for a school link worker to support young people at risk of exclusion, or who had already been excluded, from four of the mainstream secondary schools in Cheltenham.

2000 CCP received funding and recognition from the Basic Skills Agency. Opened a Youth Training Centre, funded by The National Lottery, and created a new initiative called TaskForce, offering environmental work within the community.

2001 Achieved quality mark from the Community Legal Service

2002 Joined the Foyer Federation and Guidance Accreditation Board (later Matrix). Moved to new offices in Grove Street and recruited more staff. Old premises became Bramah House, a supported 9 bed hostel named in honour of former trustee Aileen Bramah. Opened Cheltenham Youth Information drop-in advice & guidance centre. Received funding from government SureStart initiative to support children’s social and emotional development, health, ability to learn and strengthening of families and communities.

2003 Staff levels increased from 19 to 53. Corporate support was provided by Zurich Financial Services and Chelsea Building Society. Partnerships formed with Bromford and Gloucestershire Housing Associations enabled CCP to provide 32 direct access and supported bed spaces for vulnerable young people. Partnership with Gloucestershire NHS Trust allowed CCP to offer access to mental health services for 13-25 year olds.

2004 CCP launched the Alternative to Begging scheme in Cheltenham. The Appropriate Adult service was extended to support vulnerable adults held in police custody. Launched Seeing is Believing campaign, aimed at increasing the awareness of CCP services amongst agencies, supporters, general public & volunteers.

2005 Head Office relocated from Grove Street to Royal Crescent. The Grove Street premises became the Educational Pathways training centre for 13 to 16 year olds outside mainstream education. CCP became ‘lead provider’ of four organisations providing county wide Access training for young people aged 16 – 19 Not in Education, Training or Employment. Opened St Paul’s Community House to provide a range of community services for residents within one of the most deprived wards in the UK.

2006 Community Floating Support service extended to the Tewksbury and Cotswold areas of Gloucestershire. Cheltenham Youth Information Shop evolved into Cheltenham 1st Stop Information and Advice centre and relocated to larger premises. In partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council and Connexions Gloucestershire, this flagship project is set to revolutionise the provision of multi-agency support by relocating key service providers to a single point of access in a High Street location.

2007 CCP became County Community Projects, reflecting the expansion of our services across Gloucestershire. Cheltenham 1st Stop celebrated its first year of providing integrated advice services and recorded 6104 client visits. CCP gained Matrix accreditation for the service it provides at 1st Stop.

2008 CCP starts the new year with Cordell Ray as the new Chief Executive following Sylvia Salmon’s retirement after 18 years.

2009 CCP continues to grow services despite difficult global financial conditions. Family Services expands through a series of contracts to provide Parent Support Advisors to schools and family workers to children centres. Post 16 training is re-established with a commitment to supporting those most affected by worklessness and Volunteering gets renewed vision after recruiting a Volunteering Manager. Achieve ISO 9001 and Investors in People for 10th year running.

2010 Advocacy contracts secured covering Gloucestershire. Win first contract outside Gloucestershire to develop Advocacy services in South Gloucestershire. Secure contract for 10 new units of supported accommodation in Stroud. Become first organisation in Gloucestershire to provide mediation as a method of preventing youth homelessness. Undertake first Ofsted inspection and register alternative curriculum provision as an Independent Registered School. Wiggin LLP adopt CCP as charity of year. Musical Youth become Patron of Music Forum and headline at CCP’s first concert.

2011 Secure contract to operate 20 units of supported accommodation in South Gloucestershire. Secure new youth service infrastructure contract with Cheltenham Borough Council. Expand Advocacy work to become specialist in Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act. Acquire new school building to cope with increase in numbers of young people being referred to service. Achieve Investors in Diversity.

2012 Become lead provider for both generic and statutory advocacy services in Gloucestershire. Expand into Worcestershire with Mental Health and Homelessness Floating Support services and open new office in Worcester city. Win contract to provide advice and financial inclusion service in Cheltenham.

2013 Take on the management of the Cheltenham Circular Challenge fundraising event. Win Big Lottery funding to improve delivery of advice services in Cheltenham, leading to the creation of the Cheltenham Advice Network.

2014 Join framework for the provision of Independent Living Services for 16-17 year olds in Gloucestershire. Deliver Troubled Families program in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council. Begin delivery of Appropriate Adult service in Wiltshire. Set up Aspire Gloucestershire project for young people at risk of becoming long term NEET, with funding from DCLG and social investors. Remodel Cheltenham Challenge to offer 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon and Ultra events.

2015 Set up a Social Prescribing service in Cheltenham. Chosen as Charity of the Year by Cheltenham Racecourse. Secured funding from Police & Crime Commissioners fund for youth club in Cheltenham town centre. Set up work readiness program for young people. Achieve Advice Quality Standard accreditation. Achieve Investors in People Gold quality mark. Expand Independent Living service in Gloucestershire with new accommodation units.

2016 Win contract to provide Children’s Advocacy services in Wiltshire. Win contract to provide supported accommodation service for young people in Bournemouth. Win contract to provide a new Homelessness Prevention services in Worcestershire. Win contract to provide Independent Living Services for 16-17 year olds in local authority care in Worcestershire. Register Cheltenham Challenge with Trail Running Association. Create AdvoCab mobile outreach vehicle. Join Gloucestershire framework for supporting people with disabilities, mental health problems and learning difficulties.

2017 Start delivery of money advice service in Wychavon district. Begin rough sleeper outreach service in Redditch and Bromsgrove. Take over management of short term accommodation for people at risk of homelessness in Worcester. Rebrand the charity to become CCP - Caring for Communities and People. Secure funding from National Lottery Community Fund to deliver a family and parenting support service in Gloucestershire.

2019 Start delivery of accommodation-based and floating support services for adults in Herefordshire.