Our History

Lighthouse was an initiative of Churches Together in Rotherham in 2000 which wanted to respond to the need of those who were homeless within our town.

2002

The company was incorporated on 17th July 2002. The ‘White Swan’, a disused pub was taken over from the local authority. After considerable capital investment in the premises, beds were offered for overnight accommodation. Finance was supplied by a several churches, individuals and fundraising events.

2007

From August 2007 a full-time project worker was funded by The Church Urban Fund a full scale review of the work was able to be undertaken. This review led to the renaming of the project in 2008 to the “Lighthouse”, and the project then restricted its clients to males only. It also provided, for the first time, 24 hours supervision within the project, allowing clients to remain in the project throughout the day, instead of having to leave for several hours each day. This has had the effect of creating a strong and cohesive community and a sense of loyalty, ownership and security. It has become a home (albeit temporary) rather than merely a place to sleep.

2008

Increased funding and volunteers during 2008 allowed a growth in services offered to our clients, who now are guided towards and offered educational programmes, rehabilitation courses and community involvement through our local church supporters.

2009

In 2009, through partnership with Green Pastures Housing we began to offer permanent accommodation in leased properties in Rotherham, enabling us to offer not just a bed for the night but a route from the street to a permanent home.

2010-2011

Took on 6 new move-on houses to increase provision for total of 36 men.

2012

Project Mission trip to Romania…rebuilding a school, church and orphanage.

2014

Opened Lighthouse for Women, a safe residential home for 13 women.

2015

Opened 2 new move-on houses for Women, providing accommodation for a further 6 women. Took on 2 bed staff accommodation in Mexborough, Doncaster.

2016

Opened Lighthouse Shirebrook, NE Derbyshire, a 15 bed home converted from the Great Northern Hotel in Shirebrook. Total beds all sites – 71

2016

Started Furniture Restoration project at Shirebrook site.

2017

Launch 10+ programme across all sites, to facilitate and encourage 10 hours of work and volunteering for every resident, incorporating weekly CAP courses on Life skills, Freedom from addictions and Money Management.

2017

Opened Lighthouse Chesterfield, a 35 living unit block of flats on Chapel Street, Brimington, Chesterfield in partnership with Green Pastures.

2019

Four bed move-on house purchased in Rotherham

2020

Four bed move-on house purchased in Wath-upon Dearne

2020-2022

Challenging times during the Covid Pandemic

2021

2 Bed House donated to Lighthouse as staff accomodation

2023

Our Shirebrook site was expanded to 20 beds

2023

New Legislation beggining the regulation of supported housing begins

2024-25

Formal review of Debyshire sites – Shirebrook & Chesterfield – Local Government’s Supported Housing Review Team; Comments from the team include:

‘Care, passion, support and dedication to making a difference came through from the management team, staff and residents’

‘Strong sense of community and support assists resident’s lives become more stable and settled’

‘Quality of individual accomodation was good, general wear and tear visable, but regular checks are carried out to ensure everywhere is safe. Communal areas all well presented, welcoming, clean and tidy’

’24 hour support staff on site, which residents find reassuring to know support is there if required’

‘All residents that spoke to us were all very happy, felt secure and supported in their accommodation’