The Gingerbread Centre
The Gingerbread Centre is a UK registered charity, founded in 1977 in Stoke-on-Trent, providing 24-hour supported accommodation and floating support services for homeless lone-parent families, teenage mothers, single pregnant women, and couples with children across North Staffordshire.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersStoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Gingerbread Centre does
The Gingerbread Centre (legal entity: Stoke-on-Trent & District Gingerbread Centre Ltd) is a registered charity in England (Charity Number 1088344) founded in 1977 and headquartered at Rothesay Court, Furnace Road, Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent. The organisation provides 24-hour supported accommodation for homeless lone-parent families, teenage mothers, single pregnant women, and (since 2014) couples with children across North Staffordshire. It operates two physical accommodation sites and additionally delivers the Staffordshire Community Family Support Service — a floating support programme that helps at-risk families in the community sustain their tenancies — alongside an Activity Club for child enrichment and an annual Seaside Appeal outing.
The charity employs 23 staff under CEO Trevor Cottam and a Board of Trustees chaired by Fiona Miller, and delivers all services free of charge to beneficiaries. There is no technology product portfolio; operations are people-led and site-based. Revenue is generated entirely through donations and fundraising, with five primary streams: individual donations (Stripe 1.5%+20p, PayPal 1.7%), online fundraising platforms (GoFundMe 2.9%+30p, JustGiving 1.9%+30p), corporate partnerships (R&H Insulations, Advantis Credit), seasonal appeals (Christmas Appeal 2025), and Gifts in Wills legacy giving, supplemented by EasyFundraising affiliate referral and lottery income. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on social media presence (Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram), community fundraising events, and corporate sponsorship development managed by a dedicated Fundraising Manager.
The organisation holds a structural monopoly as the only provider of 24-hour supported accommodation specifically for homeless families in Stoke-on-Trent, a status explicitly endorsed by the Chair of the Stoke Social Services Case Conference. Its competitive position rests on 47 years of operating history, trusted relationships with local authorities, registered charity status conferring Gift Aid and tax advantages, and a diversified fundraising base spanning individuals, corporates, and digital platforms.
The Gingerbread Centre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Gingerbread Centre
- Legal name
- Stoke-on-Trent & District Gingerbread Centre Ltd
- Website
- https://gingerbreadcentre.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Gingerbread Centre is a UK registered charity, founded in 1977 in Stoke-on-Trent, providing 24-hour supported accommodation and floating support services for homeless lone-parent families, teenage mothers, single pregnant women, and couples with children across North Staffordshire.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Gingerbread Centre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homeless Family Support Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)
Keywords
Where The Gingerbread Centre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stoke-on-Trent
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Gingerbread Centre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Charity receives donations from individuals, corporate partners, and community supporters through various channels including online donations, events, and gift aid.
- Christmas Appeals: Seasonal fundraising campaigns including Christmas toy drives and gift appeals for families.
- Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship and support from local businesses including event sponsorship and employee giving programmes.
- EasyFundraising and Lottery: Online shopping donations through easyfundraising and lottery programmes.
- Gifts in Wills: Legacy giving programme where supporters leave bequests to the charity.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
The Gingerbread Centre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Gingerbread Centre provides 24-hour supported accommodation for homeless lone parent families and couples with children at its facilities in Stoke-on-Trent (Rothesay Court and Catherine Court). It also delivers floating support to families in the community at risk of homelessness across North Staffordshire via the Staffordshire Community Family Support Service, and operates an Activity Club for enrichment. All services are provided free of charge to vulnerable families experiencing homelessness or at risk of it.
Product overview
The Gingerbread Centre operates as a unified charitable support service rather than a technology product portfolio. The organisation provides three interconnected core services: 24-hour supported accommodation for homeless families (including lone parents, couples with children, and teenage mothers) at its facilities in Stoke-on-Trent; the Staffordshire Community Family Support Service offering floating support to at-risk families in the community; and the Activity Club providing enrichment activities for supported families. The Seaside Appeal represents an annual special programme offering memorable experiences for families. The organisation does not offer technology products or software services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 24-Hour Supported Accommodation Round-the-clock residential supported accommodation delivered at Rothesay Court and Catherine Court for homeless lone parent families, teenage mothers, single pregnant women, and couples with children. Provides personalised, confidential and structured support including parenting and life-skills assessments, healthy lifestyle promotion, and assistance with drug and alcohol difficulties.
- Staffordshire Community Family Support Service Floating support service delivered across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire to help families in the community who are at risk of homelessness sustain their tenancies and create stable lives. Delivered in partnership with other organisations across the region.
- Activity Club Organised activities and enrichment programmes for children and families supported by the charity, providing community engagement opportunities for families who have experienced homelessness.
- Seaside Appeal Annual day-trip programme sending supported families to the seaside in North Wales, providing coach travel, picnic lunches and ice-creams for families who have experienced homelessness.
Quantifiable outcome
- Prevents homelessness through stable accommodation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Gingerbread Centre
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Gingerbread Centre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
The Gingerbread Centre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- R&H InsulationscoreR&H Insulations is sponsoring the 2026 Charity Golf Day and has provided workplace collection points for essential items. They have donated furniture to help families create safe homes and provide Christmas gifts for children, teenagers and adults. Partnership built on shared values of practical, community-focused support.
- Advantis CreditcoreAdvantis Credit organised a Christmas toy drive and various fundraising events including a charity car wash and company fun days. Their team and families have actively participated in fundraising activities supporting local families served by Gingerbread.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Gingerbread Centre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Local families' charity (Stoke-on-Trent area): Other regional charities in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire providing family support and homelessness prevention services. Directly comparable in geography and beneficiary base, though specific organisations may not be individually identifiable.
Broad incumbents
- Crisis UK: National UK charity working to end homelessness through housing, education, and employment support. Comparable to Gingerbread as a UK homelessness charity serving vulnerable populations, but operates at significantly larger scale.
- Depaul UK: UK charity supporting young people facing homelessness and disadvantage through accommodation and outreach. Comparable to Gingerbread as a supported housing provider, though focused on youth rather than families specifically.
- Emmaus UK: UK federation of homelessness charities providing accommodation, work, and support through community-based companions. Comparable as a supported accommodation charity, though operating a different 'home and work' model.
- St Mungo's: UK charity providing supported housing and recovery services for people experiencing homelessness in London and nationwide. Comparable as a residential housing and support provider for vulnerable adults and families experiencing homelessness.
- Homegroup: Large UK housing association providing supported housing and homelessness services nationally. Comparable to Gingerbread as a supported housing provider for vulnerable families, but operates at substantially larger scale as a registered provider.
- Shelter (UK): National UK charity tackling homelessness and bad housing through advice, advocacy, and supported housing. Comparable to Gingerbread as a UK homelessness charity but operates at much larger scale and geographic footprint, with Gingerbread focused on a single region.
- Centrepoint: UK charity providing supported housing and services for homeless young people, including teenage mothers. Comparable as a family/youth homelessness supported accommodation provider, though national in scope rather than local.
Others
- Homeless Link: UK membership body for homelessness charities and housing providers, offering training, resources, and advocacy. Comparable as an ecosystem participant supporting frontline homelessness organisations like Gingerbread.
- Beat the Cold: Stoke-on-Trent charity addressing cold-related illness and fuel poverty, chaired by Fiona Miller (also Gingerbread's Board Chair). Comparable as a locally-focused Stoke-on-Trent charity addressing poverty-related needs faced by Gingerbread's beneficiary families.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Gingerbread Centre social profiles
Digital presenceThe Gingerbread Centre compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Gingerbread Centre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Gingerbread Centre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
The Gingerbread Centre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Gingerbread Centre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Gingerbread Centre
What does The Gingerbread Centre do?
The Gingerbread Centre provides 24-hour supported accommodation for homeless lone parent families and couples with children at its facilities in Stoke-on-Trent (Rothesay Court and Catherine Court). It also delivers floating support to families in the community at risk of homelessness across North Staffordshire via the Staffordshire Community Family Support Service, and operates an Activity Club for enrichment. All services are provided free of charge to vulnerable families experiencing homelessness or at risk of it.
Is The Gingerbread Centre a public or private company?
The Gingerbread Centre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Gingerbread Centre founded?
The Gingerbread Centre was founded in 1977. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Gingerbread Centre based?
The Gingerbread Centre is headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Gingerbread Centre make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are christmas Appeals, corporate Partnerships, easyFundraising and Lottery and gifts in Wills.
Who are The Gingerbread Centre's main competitors?
Local families' charity (Stoke-on-Trent area) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Crisis UK, Depaul UK, Emmaus UK, St Mungo's, Homegroup, Shelter (UK) and Centrepoint. Others are Homeless Link and Beat the Cold.
Does The Gingerbread Centre have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Gingerbread Centre.
What industry is The Gingerbread Centre in?
The Gingerbread Centre's product category is Homeless Family Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services, with a secondary code of BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services. Its NAICS code is 624221 and its SIC code is 8300.