Embrace; tackling homelessness in Cambridge

Anuk Weerawardana in conversation with James Hyde of Embrace Cambridge, a student-led initiative looking to connect Cambridge students to charities helping the homeless. 

“I’m sorry, I don’t have any spare change on me”, I would mutter guiltily as I trudged through the streets of Cambridge at night, acknowledging the pavements dotted with people without homes, yet feeling powerless to do anything about it. 

My freshers week began on a similar disheartening tone, when members of Cambridge City Council’s police department offered advice on how to react to the homeless. Their precepts: 1) Do not offer them your money; 2) Your money will be used for drugs and alcohol; 3) If you really wish to help, buy them some food, or donate to Jimmy’s Cambridge. I could not help but take note of the wording - “them” -  which implied to me a stark disconnect between the students of Cambridge who are able to indulge in lavish formals, balls, and state-of-the-art resources, and those in poverty without homes who have an equal presence in the city. It is this disconnect which is sought to be resolved by the student-led initiative Embrace Cambridge. On a brisk wintry evening, I found out more from James Hyde, a second year Geography student at Homerton College and also the Fundraising and Events Officer for Embrace.

Embrace is about “connecting the charities and organisations that help the homeless, such as Jimmy’s and Winter Comfort, and connecting them to students to see how they can help”, explains James. Having grown up in Stockport to a family that took a great interest in social activism and helping those suffering from homelessness, James volunteered in school from an early age. He explains his shock when he saw the prevalence of homelessness in Cambridge: “I thought, if it was to happen, it wouldn’t happen here”. A culture shock that many freshers experience takes place as the preconceived notions of fancy medieval gates only open to reveal the harsh reality that is the failing of governmental policies.

“A culture shock that many freshers experience takes place as the preconceived notions of fancy medieval gates only open to reveal the harsh reality that is the failing of governmental policies.”

James continues his activism in Cambridge, with his most recent venture being a sponsored marathon for Jimmy’s Cambridge. As an Events Officer, James has set up fundraising meetups to raise money for homelessness charities in Cambridge - events like hugely successful pub quizzes, with their most recent ones being hosted in Churchill and Jesus College. Participation in these events are a great way to get involved with Embrace’s endeavours, with the £2 participation fee donated to Jimmy’s and Winter Comfort, helping directly tackle the problem of homelessness in Cambridge, whilst also being an enjoyable way to spend time with your mates. James comments that these events can be “really useful in terms of education as well”, given that they are frequented by Barry Griffiths, Communities and Corporate Engagement Officer of Jimmy’s, who presents short talks on the problem of homelessness in Cambridge. In addition to this, James looks to start up more “educational exclusive events”, starting with a panel of experts from local charities attending St John’s Divinity School on the 2nd of February that aim to enlighten students on the topic of homelessness, and dispel “dangerous rhetoric”. As James explains, “a source of inspiration for the event was Suella Braverman” and her claims of homelessness being a “lifestyle choice”.

Though such sentiments being spewed from the mouth of politician with a platform and power feels vulgar, I take solace in the fact that despite the rigorous Cambridge workload and intensity of term, students are still taking time out of their life to support a cause greater than themselves, to help those in need, and to bridge this societal gap. As James adds with a more optimistic tone, “the amount I’ve learnt in the past six months about [homelessness] has been a privilege”.

In addition to these educational and fundraising events, Embrace is taking an active role in appealing to colleges to provide workplace opportunities for those who have experienced homelessness or those who are vulnerably housed. As things stand, there remains an abundance of “college and affiliated institution jobs”, including service jobs being marketed on Cambridge’s official website. This could very well act as a start to helping people earn money and get off the street.

“I take solace in the fact that despite the rigorous Cambridge workload and intensity of term, students are still taking time out of their life to support a cause greater than themselves, to help those in need, and to bridge this societal gap.”

Yet James tells me that “unfortunately colleges haven’t been the most receptive so far”, despite this being a logical measure to help those in risk. This hasn’t swayed the verve or determination of Embrace in the least, as James went on to inform me of their future endeavours - including Embrace’s partnership with college May Balls, wherein a portion of the profit made through May Ball ticket sales and commodities sold at the events is donated to charities that can offer support to those suffering from homelessness. James went on to explain how, in 2024, Embrace hopes to try new events to increase student participation with Embrace’s endeavours, and is in hopes of hosting a musical gig to fundraise further.

But it is clear that initiatives such as Embrace rely on the proactivity of students who perhaps realise themselves as part of this Cambridge community. They are still in need of Cambridge students to participate, and take on roles such as college liaison officers to spread the word of Embrace and their future ventures. For more information about Embrace, or to become a college liaison officer, you can find them at @embracecambridge on Instagram or Embrace Cambridge on Facebook.

Although homelessness persists at the heart of Cambridge, I left my interview with James feeling hopeful that Embrace, by bridging the gap between students and charities, and accruing greater support for these charities, would kindle a positive change in Cambridge.