Origins
JHC was founded over 500 years ago when local landowners Joyce and John Huntingdon left three parcels of land to benefit directly the people of Sawston. They also asked that a field of peas (a specific type, which was a basic food source then) be sown every year and this tradition continues to this day with an annual festival in the village.
JHC Today
With a growing population of almost 8,000 residents, Sawston is recognised increasingly as a great place to live, with good schools and easy access to Cambridge and the region’s road and rail infrastructure.
However, the charity recognises that not everyone living locally benefits directly from this region’s relatively stable economy. Even in the 21st Century some people are still financially disadvantaged because of age, health, unemployment, lack of housing and educational need.
Driven by John Huntingdon’s ambitions, we continue to use our resources to offer support flexibly for local people in need. Since 2000 we have moved 64 families on to permanent accommodation.
Currently, 96% of our income comes from investments and property and, working closely with South Cambs District Council (SCDC), we house 75 people in the village.
JHC cares about local employment and economic growth too. In 2010 we created three residences and one small business unit from an empty commercial property in the heart of Sawston.
In recent years JHC has also provided land for amenities that benefit the whole community including Sawston’s Medical Centre, its Nursery, a community orchard and the Mill Lane allotments.
And, as part of our long-term planning, in 2017 the charity converted Compass House into its new headquarters, the John Huntingdon Centre. Compass House, formerly the Compass Centre, was built in the 1970s on what we understand was originally JHC land.
This provides the JHC team with more accessible space to support our clients. We’re now able to offer meeting facilities to local stakeholders including the SCDC housing team, Citizens Advice advisers and debt specialists, the British Legion, Relate, Mind in Cambridgeshire, ReadEasy, employment and family law solicitors, and health professionals such as midwives and health visitors.
The move also enabled JHC to add four new properties to its housing portfolio. We have achieved this by converting the upstairs of the John Huntingdon Centre into two flats and our old office in Tannery Road into two houses.
Our board of trustees is always open to hearing about new opportunities to extend our reach. Please get in touch: 01223 492492
www.scambs.gov.uk
www.grantamedicalpractices.co.uk
www.sawstonnursery.org