The Deptford Ragged Trust, the charitable trust of The Bear Church, offers a place of refuge, learning, worship and community to local people in South East London.
Our innovative building redevelopment, The Ragged Project, will deliver a multi-use community space and socially affordable accommodation for rent for 33 young people who are homeless or have a severe housing need.
EXTENDING
THE LEGACY
BUILDING FOR
THE FUTURE
CREATING SPACE
TO FLOURISH
THE PROJECT
There is no institution in England more worthy of support than the Deptford Ragged School.
Earl of Shaftesbury
The visionary work of one of London’s first ragged schools begun by eight Christian men and women in 1844 has continued to this day.
The Ragged Project seeks to build on, and extend, this legacy of creating community and addressing the impact of poverty on people’s lives.
In 2017, we raised funds to purchase land threatened by private development, demolished the life expired building, and created 33 socially affordable flats. Over 30 young adults facing severe housing need now have safe, stable homes. But housing is only the start. To truly end local homelessness, we must tackle its root causes. Our next step is The Bear—a vibrant community and church hub on the ground floor. This space will foster connection, hope, and opportunity all under one roof.
The need is urgent. Every four minutes, a young person in the UK becomes homeless. In London, youth rough sleeping has surged by 36%. Deptford is among the country’s most deprived areas: one in three children grow up in poverty, local school exclusion rates are high, and 42% of 19-year-olds lack essential qualifications—pushing many towards long-term unemployment and homelessness. Alongside economic hardship, loneliness grips our community, with isolation rates threatening health as severely as smoking.
Today, our work is scattered across four sites, raising costs and fragmenting our community. The Bear will change this—bringing our outreach, support services and worship together in one inclusive, accessible space at the heart of our six-storey redevelopment. It will be a place where the wider community, residents and church come together in an environment of hospitality, friendship, aspiration, innovation and creativity.
PROGRESS
We’re making steady progress in reaching our target for the build to go ahead – but there’s still a way to go!
DONATE
Align with the legacy and secure the future of The Bear and surrounding communities for the next 175 years.
We’ll use your donations to create a building where everyone feels welcome and to house 33 young people who are homeless or who have severe housing need.
Bear Cubs did so much for me and my little boy. It became an invaluable anchor in our week when he was little and being a new parent was difficult and scary. Toddler group
PARTNERS
We are committed to working in partnership with the local authority, charities and faith communities to see The Ragged Project become a reality.
J49 Sustainable community living
J49 is a registered provider of social housing that responds to the enormous need for affordable housing in London. With local partners, they seek to create multi-generational living spaces that function as hubs for their residents and surrounding neighbourhoods.
J49 will take a long-term formal role in the management of the dwellings and the programme of support for the residents.
PARTNERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
CONTACT US
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