Our Story
We believe that everyone deserves a safe home, a rewarding job and a life free from addiction or abuse. We also believe that, given the right support, anyone can change their life for the better. By focusing on someone’s strengths, potential and opportunities, we help around 14,000 people overcome their problems and live safe, successful, independent lives each year.
The History of Changing Lives
Changing Lives has been helping people facing some of the most challenging circumstances for 50 years. We began as a small charity in the North East called Tyneside Cyrenians, later The Cyrenians, helping people who were experiencing homelessness through our hostels and day centres.
With the appointment of Stephen Bell in 2002, we began to look at homelessness as a part of a system, one which can lead to people feeling trapped and unable to access the support they need. We began to expand our services in both provision and geography. We now operate nationally, helping thousands of people each year to change their lives for the better. In 2013 we re-branded as Changing Lives to mark our growth and our ongoing commitment to providing the support people need to make positive change - for good.