The idea was to improve an unused piece of wasteland in the grounds of 222 Vic Rd and turn it into a memorial garden creating a quiet reflective space where the homeless community can remember lost loved ones from the community and from their personal lives. The garden is freely accessible to non-residents of 222 Victoria Rd.

The average age of death of a homeless person in Cambridge is 44 years old. In the year preceeding this project 21 members of the street community died in Cambridge (approx 10%). It is often difficult for homeless people to attend the funerals of relatives and friends leaving them unable to process their grief through this important stage in the grieving process.

Cambridge Link-Up members worked on all aspects of creating the garden and we secured major materials sponsorship from Travis Perkins as well as founding from the Cambridgeshire Foundation. The garden was officially opened on July 4th 2009 and a related project created the ceramic Sanctuary Tower as a centrepiece for the garden. Link-Up continues to maintain the garden.