Abbey People has just launched its new five-year strategy, and it marks a real shift in focus, from helping people get by, to supporting them to truly thrive.
Since 2013, Abbey People has been a community-led charity working in the Abbey Ward of Cambridge. Over the past few years, much of our work has centred around crisis response, particularly during and after the pandemic. But we’ve heard loud and clear from our community: people want more than survival. They want connection, culture, opportunity, and joy.
That message is at the heart of our new strategic vision: Thriving People, Vibrant Community. Our work over the next five years will build on our foundations, with a stronger focus on improving wellbeing, creating inclusive spaces, and building real opportunities for growth and belonging.
Here’s what we’re aiming for by 2030.
Thriving people: Better health and wellbeing, life skills, and access to good food and meaningful work.
Thriving families and young people: Support for children and families to grow and connect
Thriving community: More events, creative opportunities, and welcoming places to meet and get involved.
Thriving environment: A greener, more sustainable Abbey, with improved green and blue spaces.
Thriving organisation: A resilient, reflective charity with strong partnerships and a sustainable future.
We’re proud to be working closely with Cambridge City Council and Cambridge Investment Partnership on the East Barnwell redevelopment which is a major project that includes a new community centre, library, preschool, green space and more. It’s a big step forward for the area, and we’re excited to play a central role in shaping it.
Partnership is a key theme in our strategy. We know that meaningful change happens when communities, charities, and businesses work together. That’s why we’re inviting local businesses to join us as long-term partners through donations, volunteer days, shared campaigns, or other forms of support. We’ve created supporter packages to make this easy and rewarding for businesses of all sizes.
We believe Abbey has the potential to be one of the most connected and vibrant parts of Cambridge, a place where people feel proud to live, work, and belong. This strategy is a commitment to helping make that vision real.
You can view the full strategy here.
If you’re part of the Abbey community, we’d love for you to get involved. And if you’re a business that wants to invest in Cambridge’s future, let’s talk.
