Why We Are Here

Why are we here? To help the people of Leeds!

St Vincent’s Support Centre is a community hub based in East Leeds. The centre offers a range of activities and support including classes, groups, counselling, debt advice and a large inclusive volunteering programme. The centre wants everyone to feel that they belong in the community and have the opportunity to thrive.

We work with people from across the city from our base in the heart of East Leeds, an area known for deprivation.

We are here to support the people of Leeds and equip them with the tools they need for a better life. We work with people who are deprived of income, employment, education, social networks and community support to help them build a brighter future.

St Vincent’s gives free and confidential help to give people a hand up.

When my husband lost his job, I assumed he would get another one, but he couldn’t find work. He sank into depression and we were in danger of losing our home.
When the washing machine broke, I had to borrow £200 to buy a new one. Suddenly I owed £300 and the amount kept going up until the debt was in the thousands. I felt trapped, scared and very lonely. A friend told me about St Vincent’s.
You didn’t judge me. You listened to me and allowed me to talk, shout and cry. You have helped me get my debts under control which I would never have been able to do alone. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you were there for me when I really didn’t know where to turn.

At 58 and increasingly having to take on less physical tasks at work and home Jack was finding that his difficulties with literacy were badly affecting his life and work. This damaged his confidence causing problems with self-esteem and communication.
After 8 sessions on a literacy course, Jack has already begun to read and write with greater fluency and with growing confidence. Jack’s tutor told us that Jack now joins in discussion without hesitation and is confident in himself and his abilities, and is starting to understand he is not incapable of learning. Jack looks forward to his weekly sessions and enjoys reading for the first time in his life

When I walked into here over 3 years ago, I was fit for nothing. I was a recluse, I’d lost everything, I didn’t want to show my face, I felt shame. Slowly, through being part of St Vincent’s, all that has kind of melted away. That’s how it seems- but it’s been hard working making it melt…
From the very first time I came to St Vincent’s, people that I didn’t even know respected me and didn’t treat me any differently. No one walks by you in the corridor, people always say hello. People got to know my name and when I come in now it’s always “morning Andrew” and it’s always said with enthusiasm. That’s the essence of what it’s all about. It’s the people within the building.
St Vincent’s has created this safe bubble for me that has allowed me to start to learn to function again.

Ethan is 5 years old, he lives with his mum Amy in supported housing. Amy is a young mother and had fled previous domestic violence from her mother’s partner in their family home. On Christmas morning, Ethan woke up to presents from Father Christmas, and enjoyed a Christmas lunch with his mum. St Vincent’s had given Amy a hamper of food with Christmas treats, and gifts that Ethan would enjoy. Without this support, Amy would have been unable to afford gifts for Ethan. Amy had told her support worker that she was considering taking Ethan to spend Christmas in their family home. Despite the risk of violence to herself, Amy knew that Ethan would have presents to open there. Without worrying about how she would afford food and the gifts Amy wanted her son to receive, the pressure was reduced and Ethan had a calm, trouble free Christmas playing with his Mum.