The Red Hen Project - NHS Property Services

Aim: We provide family support to primary age children in Cambridge

Raising a family is hard. Doing it in crisis, with nowhere to turn, is even harder.

In  Cambridge—one of the most unequal parts of the UK—families face poor housing, poverty, and pressures that quickly pile up. There’s a 12-year gap in life expectancy between the richest and poorest areas. Some children arrive at school too anxious to learn. Some parents feel completely overwhelmed.

That’s where The Red Hen Project steps in.

We offer long-term, 1:1 family worker support. That means one trusted worker, supporting one family—week in, week out—for as long as it takes. Together, they tackle whatever’s getting in the way: school attendance, money worries, mental health, housing. It’s personal, flexible, and built on trust.

Alongside this, we run welcoming drop-in groups and free out-of-school family activities—safe, inclusive spaces where families can connect, find support, and build confidence together.

If The Red Hen Project didn’t exist, many families would be left to struggle alone—problems growing, children falling behind, and parents burning out.

And we know our approach works:

• 89% of parents said “my relationship with my child(ren) is improving”, with 48% strongly agreeing.
• Families reported “more patience, fewer arguments, and stronger family connections."
• After a summer trip, one child summed it up: “Awesome! Thumbs up. Fantastical!”
• A parent added: “Thank you to all at Red Hen for giving us a lovely day!”
• Feedback confirmed children benefited through “leaving the local area, spending time as a family, and exploring new activities.”

We’ve been trusted by local schools, GPs, and the community for over 25 years. But with the cost of living rising, more families than ever are turning to us for support.

What your donation can do:

• £10 – Helps provide a crisis essentials bag for a family in urgent need
• £25 – Supports a family to attend a group activity or trip
• £45 – Funds an hour of 1:1 family support with a trained worker

Please support our crowdfunder today and be part of the change.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 5th September 2025 at 2:28pm