Welcome to Link House Trust in Cambridge
Link House Trust has been providing a link of hospitality, friendship and support to international post-graduate students for 30 years. It serves as a residential and social community,
and a ‘home-away-from-home’ to help students connect to their new environment.
The Trust has three houses in total: a large Victorian terraced house and two smaller purpose-built houses, the last of which was completed in May 2010. In total, these properties have rooms to accommodate up to thirty residents.
Since opening our doors in 1988 more than 1000 students from almost 100 countries have enjoyed the experience of living at Link House.
International post-graduate students arriving in the UK for the first time, and coming to Cambridge to study, often experience problems adjusting to an unfamiliar climate, a different culture with different foods and customs, and communicating in a second language. It can be lonely being separated from family and friends back home. Link House seeks to assist by helping such students secure accommodation for the first time in the UK, and then to provide support and friendship as they settle into life and studies in Cambridge.
Link House is a local Christian response to the needs of these students, who will be returning home in due course, to take up positions of influence in their government, universities, professional business, industry and commerce. Link House aims to build bridges of understanding between these potential key people (of different faiths and cultures, including many from developing countries) for the future and for world peace.
history of link house trust
International post-graduate students, newly arriving to live in the UK for the first time, often experience problems adjusting to a strange culture and language; it can be lonely and difficult being separated from the familiarity of home.
As a Christian charity, Link House strives to help meet the needs of these students. We welcome those of all faiths and none, and aim to build bridges of understanding and friendship between students from around the world. We do this by providing comfortable, affordable accommodation and support in three houses, which are all located on the same site, and within easy walking distance of the Cambridge city centre. Each house is supervised by helpful, approachable wardens.
Since opening our doors in 1988 more than 1000 students from almost 100 countries have passed through the doors of Link House. Many have kept in touch with each other and with the Trust long after leaving.
The Trust is administered by a board of Trustees, and supported practically, financially and in prayer by local Christians.
Link House Trust began operating 32 years ago with just a single house accommodating a handful of international students. In those days, some students were accompanied by their spouses while studying in Cambridge, and Link House was an integral means of providing a home and community for these young people.
As the vision and resources grew, the Trust was able to acquire the present Victorian house in Chesterton Road. In fact, it is really two houses which have been combined into one, so it provided the opportunity to increase the number of residents who could be accommodated. Thereafter, with much prayer and fund-raising, property adjacent to this house was purchased, and the two newer houses were purpose-built to serve as student accommodation.
Today, the Trust, is very grateful to have the capacity to offer accommodation to up to 30 residents, in an enviable location, within walking distance of many of the amenities that Cambridge city centre has to offer.
support link house trust
Friends and supporters are vital to our ongoing success and the future development of Link House.
There are several ways volunteers and supporters can be involved:
Newsletter
Ask to receive our newsletter, Link News, by post, or (preferably) by email. This is produced twice a year as a means of keeping supporters up to date with the latest news from Link House.
Prayer
Pray for the work of the Trust – using the prayer card sent out with the Link News.
Hospitality
Offer to provide hospitality/English conversation with residents who wish to improve their English.
Prayer Group
Join the group of prayer supporters who meet weekly in the Garden Room. (Currently, they meet on Tuesdays 9-10am. Entrance is via the gate on East Hertford Street.)
Donate
Donate financially – by regular or one off donation. (Signing a Gift Aid declaration enables the Trust to reclaim extra money if you are a UK tax-payer. Gift Aid declaration forms are available on request from the office.)
Event Support
Help and support at occasional fund-raising events.
AOM
Attend our Annual Open Meeting.
Bequeath
Consider remembering Link House in your will; please contact the office for details.
