Cooking equipment, life‑changing assistive technology and arts and craft materials were just some of the items donated by PHS Home Solutions during a recent visit to three Cambridge community organisations.
The donations were delivered to organisations that were identified through the Match my Project, with Cambridge City Council. As a key partner on Cambridge City Council’s framework to deliver repairs, maintenance and decarbonisation services, the organisation is proud to support local community projects and initiatives as part of its wider social value commitments.
Jason Oakes, Partnership Director and Joanne Oakes, Social Value Manager visited each project earlier this month to hand over the donations. The three beneficiary organisations are:
Supporting The Arbury Social Community Café
The team’s first stop was The Arbury Social Community Café, a welcoming community space providing food and support to local residents. PHS delivered two 44L cooking pots, stainless steel frying pans, a serrated pastry knife and a royal catering hand blender — equipment that will help the café continue preparing meals and bringing people together.
Life‑changing technology for CamSight
The second visit was to CamSight, a charity supporting people living with sight loss across Cambridgeshire. Through Match My Project, PHS Home Solutions funded a new Meta Glasses loan kit, consisting of a pair of Meta Glasses and an iPhone 15 Pro, worth £718.
Using voice commands, Meta Glasses can read text, identify objects, describe surroundings and answer questions in real time — technology that one CamSight service user described simply as “life changing.”
CamSight already operates a successful loan scheme through its home visit service, allowing people to try the technology in their own homes before deciding whether it is right for them. With demand for the existing kits continuing to grow, the new donation will help reduce waiting times and give more people the chance to experience the benefits first‑hand.
Ella Bearpark, Corporate, Community and Events Fundraiser at CamSight, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to PHS Home Solutions for making this new loan kit possible. Demand for our Meta Glasses scheme continues to grow, and this support will help more people with sight loss experience the benefits of this technology first hand.”
Creative resources for Cambridge Acorn Project
The final visit was to the Cambridge Acorn Project in Histon, where PHS delivered a selection of art and craft supplies to support the organisation’s therapeutic services. The charity provides holistic support to children, young people and families, and the materials will be used as part of its creative therapeutic work.
Joanne Oakes, Social Value Manager at PHS, said: “The day showcased how Match My Project enables PHS to connect directly with community organisations and respond to practical, meaningful requests for support. Rather than taking a one‑size‑fits‑all approach, each donation met a very different need – from equipment that brings people together over food, to therapeutic resources for families, and innovative technology that promotes independence for people living with sight loss.
“PHS Home Solutions extends a huge thank you to The Arbury Social Community Café, CamSight and the Cambridge Acorn Project for welcoming the team and for the vital work they continue to deliver in their communities.”