How St George's Crypt has changed its services to support Leeds homeless during lockdown

The charity has had to change the way it delivers frontline services during lockdown, including lunchtime meals, accommodation and drug and alcohol treatment.

Volunteers are no longer permitted to work for the charity and its full service is now provided by a core staff team.

Those who used to sleep in the charity's dormitories have now been transferred to a hotel, along with others who are vulnerable and homeless.

Working with Leeds Council, the charity is managing 50 people in safe accommodation in the city centre where they can self-isolate.

St George's Crypt has also closed its lunctime café-style service and instead now offers a light lunch service from the back door, keeping to social distancing rules.

The charity said it has 'ramped up' cleaning rotas, drafting in the management team to bleach all walls, doors and door handles daily to reduce the risk of infection.

Clients using the charity's drug and alcohol rehabilitation service, Growing Rooms, are continuing their recovery through virtual meetings.

In the update on the charity's services, CEO Chris Fields said: "We are still offering all our core services but additionally have taken on other responsibilities at this time of crisis.

"Where we have seen a gap we have tried to fill it. Where someone has asked for help we have offered it."

With the St George's Crypt charity shops closed and all fundraising events cancelled, the charity reports a funding gap of £30,000 a month.

Yet it has so far been able to continue all its frontline services and is providing extra food parcels to other organisations in Leeds, including Basis Yorkshire, Armley Helping Hands, and the Real Junk Food Project.

Thanking the charity's supporters, Chris added: "We wanted to keep you up to date with all the additional services we are offering so you know that your support is helping those most in need.

"We will beat this together."

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