What if? FAQs, Our History
- Emergency beds are free to our clients
- Self-contained rooms clients pay a small charge for utilities.
- All services in the Centre are free.
- Meals are free if you can’t afford to pay and £2.00 if you are in receipt of funds
It is not for us to tell you what to do – like you; we want to do our best.
However it is true that
- By handing over money or food, you could unintentionally give people who are sleeping rough an incentive to remain on the streets. Sadly some have been exploited by drug dealers and beg to pay for their drug dependency. There are a number of studies that show that begging is predominantly to fund drug purchases.
- Also, at busy times of the year, it is not unknown for others, who are not homeless, to cash-in on the generosity of the public. Most people who bed are housed in some capacity
It is entirely your decision. We only ask that you consider making a donation to a charity or organisation like ourselves, which can provide the professional and ongoing support which people sleeping rough need to get them off the streets for good. . To support our work you can donate here.
- We do, however, ask you NOT to distribute tents and sleeping bags. We want to support people into their own home and a tent is never the solution.
- People are vulnerable in tents to attack.
- They are less likely to be able to be engaged by Outreach workers or to know if they require medical attention.
- Tent encampmen
- As we explained, people who sleep rough don’t do so out of choice. Our specialist teams provide a range of support services and you can read about what we do and why here.
Yes, we work closely with colleagues in the NHS,
CASH originally operated from temporary, rather primitive, premises, known as “The Cabins” at the top of Bute Street. The first day centre and hostel were built in 1993 thanks to the generosity and forward thinking of local businessman Bob Huggard.
He offered to give £195,000 to build “something decent” to replace “The Cabins” after being approached by the Reverend Douglas Bale, who’d been looking to continue the work of the Cyrenians.
The two men joined forces, but Bob Huggard sadly died in August, 1991, before work started on the Day Centre and Hostel in Hansen Street. His wife, Ethel, who shared his dream, continued to take a keen interest until her death in 2008.
In 2007 CASH changed its name to Huggard in honour of Bob and Ethel Huggard.
In 2012 Huggard opened a new Day Centre and Hostel in Hansen Street – providing the most up-to-date facilities to meet the needs of people sleeping rough on the streets of Cardiff.