Cambridge House (organisation)
Encyclopedia
Cambridge House is a voluntary organisation in Southwark
, London
.
It offers a variety of services to the local community, including: a law centre, advocacy, community development, services for people with learning difficulties, childcare and young people's services.
Cambridge House provides direct services to individuals, families and communities and operates as a local neighbourhood resource and development agency, providing support to local community groups, voluntary organisations and community initiatives.
It is recognised as an advocacy service for people with mental health problems by Southwark Council
and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Cambridge House is also the host to LINkSouthwark, an independent, public body of local people, organisations and groups in the borough whose goal is to improve local care services.
settlement houses
in 1889, set up to support and develop the activities of the Trinity College Mission (Cambridge University Trinity College
). By 1897 Cambridge University
as a whole was involved. University graduates and undergraduates lived at Cambridge House and performed voluntary work for the local community. The residents were involved with the direct relief of poverty; "the provision of country holidays for city children; the organisation of boys clubs; educational and recreational activities; a free legal service; involvement in a range of public bodies." In 1900 a women's settlement called Talbot was set up nearby, focusing on helping women and children. The two settlements worked side by side until 1972, when they joined to form Cambridge House and Talbot.
In 1894 Cambridge House and Talbot were the first settlement to establish the first free legal advice service (now called the Law Centre). In the early 1900s they were the first to set up a Labour Exchange in response to mass unemployment and by the 1930s were providing skills workshops for the unemployed. In 1963 they set up the first Adult Literacy Scheme, which led to the Right to Read Campaign for adults.
Southwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
It offers a variety of services to the local community, including: a law centre, advocacy, community development, services for people with learning difficulties, childcare and young people's services.
Cambridge House provides direct services to individuals, families and communities and operates as a local neighbourhood resource and development agency, providing support to local community groups, voluntary organisations and community initiatives.
It is recognised as an advocacy service for people with mental health problems by Southwark Council
London Borough of Southwark
The London Borough of Southwark is a London borough in south east London, England. It is directly south of the River Thames and the City of London, and forms part of Inner London.-History:...
and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Cambridge House is also the host to LINkSouthwark, an independent, public body of local people, organisations and groups in the borough whose goal is to improve local care services.
History
Cambridge House began life as a one of the earliest VictorianVictorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
settlement houses
Settlement movement
The settlement movement was a reformist social movement, beginning in the 1880s and peaking around the 1920s in England and the US, with a goal of getting the rich and poor in society to live more closely together in an interdependent community...
in 1889, set up to support and develop the activities of the Trinity College Mission (Cambridge University Trinity College
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
). By 1897 Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
as a whole was involved. University graduates and undergraduates lived at Cambridge House and performed voluntary work for the local community. The residents were involved with the direct relief of poverty; "the provision of country holidays for city children; the organisation of boys clubs; educational and recreational activities; a free legal service; involvement in a range of public bodies." In 1900 a women's settlement called Talbot was set up nearby, focusing on helping women and children. The two settlements worked side by side until 1972, when they joined to form Cambridge House and Talbot.
In 1894 Cambridge House and Talbot were the first settlement to establish the first free legal advice service (now called the Law Centre). In the early 1900s they were the first to set up a Labour Exchange in response to mass unemployment and by the 1930s were providing skills workshops for the unemployed. In 1963 they set up the first Adult Literacy Scheme, which led to the Right to Read Campaign for adults.
Services provided
Cambridge House provides the following services:- Advocacy
- IMCA (Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy)
- Law Centre
- After School Club
- Nursery
- Play Scheme
- Young People's Project
- Nineteen Plus (a group for young adults with learning difficulties)
- LINk (Local Involvement Network)