Woking homelessness charity York Road Project secures building fund boost

We've announced the York Road Project as the first finalist of our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on its local area of Woking, Surrey.

Battling against more than 300 other applicants during April, the charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson Rob Bent, who launched the campaign with us in March this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

The York Road Project will join seven more winners selected between May and November to face a public vote in December to decide 2026’s Community Heroes winner, who will receive £15,000 in cash.

Set up in 2001, the York Road Project has since helped thousands of homeless people find a place to call home. It provides both short- and long-term accommodation, as well as supporting individuals through addiction, mental health and employment needs to address underlying struggles that led to their homelessness.

In 2025, the York Road Project found it would be faced with the loss of its main building, a 10-bed shelter that had provided short-term and emergency accommodation for its clients for nearly 30 years. Luckily, the charity was able to negotiate ownership of the building, ensuring its legacy could continue.

Thanks to the win, York Road Project has secured £2,000 to spend in its local store. This funding will be used to renovate its main building by transforming it into a high-quality shelter, allowing York Road Project to continue providing refuge and support for those experiencing homelessness in and around Woking.

Cherisse Dealtry, Chief Executive at York Road Project, said: “We are incredibly proud and grateful to be selected as April’s Community Heroes winner. This support from Selco will make a real difference to the people we work with, helping us to continue providing vital services and support within our community at York Road Project.”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of MultiChannel Marketing, said: “Community Heroes is all about recognising organisations that make a real difference to local people, and York Road Project embodies exactly what the campaign stands for.

“The impact they have for those experiencing homelessness in Woking is life-changing, and we’re proud that Selco can help support the vital work they do for the community.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.