What we do and why
Our Work and Services
We are a charity and Wales leading centre for people who are homeless and sleeping rough in Cardiff.
Led by Chief Executive, Adam Rees, and our Board of Trustees, we employ specialist members of staff, who have the skills and expertise to support clients.
Huggard has been operating since 1988 – and is based in the heart of Cardiff. We have a Day Centre, provide emergency bed spaces and have 2 on-site hostels offering longer term accommodation. We also operate supported housing schemes across the city.
We provide Cardiff’s emergency accommodation for anyone facing homelessness in the city, regardless of where they are from or their situation.
Working in partnership with Cardiff Council, the NHS, South Wales Police and other agencies, we’re open 24/7, 365 days a year.
Our Day Centre is often the first “point of contact”. It is a warm, safe place where a homeless person can access food, a change of clothing, laundry and washing facilities.
Breakfast is free and lunch costs just £2. Hot and cold drinks are also available. The meals are prepared in our commercial kitchen by clients and former clients, who are part of our volunteering programme.
Learn more about Huggard Catering here.
There’s also information about our Buffet lunches, which we can prepare for your event or function within Cardiff.
The Day Centre is open from 8.30am until 7.30pm and is where clients can access a range of specialist services.
This includes support with housing matters, financial and debt management as well as legal issues and domestic violence.
We have onsite GP and Nurse clinics run by Cardiff and Vale Health Inclusion Service (CAVHIS) as well as Dentist sessions.
Our pioneering Harm Reduction Service is available 24/7.
A number of staff are also trained First Responders with the Welsh Ambulance Service, providing emergency health care for the local community.
We offer volunteering, training and work programmes. We organise diversionary activities, such as art classes, to encourage clients to engage with staff, to boost confidence and improve self-esteem.
What Are We Trying To Achieve
Our Vision
The purpose of Huggard is to ensure everyone facing homelessness has access to safe, secure accommodation, high-quality planned support and opportunities to get back on their feet and to rebuild their lives.
How Do We Deliver Our Values? Our Mission
- Emergency Support. We are a safety net for the city of Cardiff and its citizens. We met the basic needs of anyone in housing crisis by giving them access to emergency accommodation and health interventions.
- Long term solutions. We provide opportunities and planned support for, and by working with clients, to ensure they break the cycle of homelessness through long term housing, health and substance use treatment. training, volunteering and access to work.
What about other donations such as toiletries, clothing, sleeping bags and back packs?
If you wish to give toiletries, please make sure they are in small, “trial” or “holiday” sized containers. People who are homeless have no-where to keep their belongings and wouldn’t be able to carry around large bottles or packages.
We also welcome donations and what we need will vary depending on the time of year and demand. You can see what we currently require here.
What other support do you offer people who are sleeping rough?
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.
Do you work with other organisations?
Yes, we work closely with colleagues in the health, third and public sectors.