Leeds homeless charity's coronavirus plan to provide care 'whatever the cost'

The charity said it would do "everything in our power" to provide the care and support needed by some of the most marginalised people in the city.

The Crypt provides accommodation to homeless people at its Care Centre in Great George Street as well as daily lunches to many more in need.

It also has a number of other sites including charity shops, a lodge for men taking part in its drug and alcohol recovery programme, and an alcohol recovery centre.

In a message to its supporters on Facebook, the Crypt team set out the dilemma it faces in deciding how to best support those who count on its services.

Regular meetings have been held over the past week about its strategy in response to the international outbreak of coronavirus, known officially as Covid-19.

The charity said: "Our residents and service users are extremely vulnerable and are at risk if the infection takes hold here.

"We have discussed with our partners across the city as to how best support people in these uncertain times. There are no clear answers. There are no easy solutions.

"We will be temporarily ceasing our full lunchtime service for members of the public who come to us to eat. We will be offering a light lunch at our back door in the very short term and there will be provision going forward for those who need it, but our focus must be on our residents who were street homeless.

"Their service will be as uninterrupted as possible; three meals a day, access to housing support, mental health support and staff structured support alongside a bed, showers and laundry facilities. We will try to offer similar levels of continuity in our supported accommodation and in our residential drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation project."

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The charity said it was also asking some of its staff to work from home, meaning part of its wider workforce would be available as reserves should others become infected.

Its post explained: "We will be syphoning staff from all areas of the Crypt, the shops, cafés, fundraising and marketing and asking them to provide frontline cover where needed. Our core service is our priority. The homeless of Leeds take precedence.

"If we must close our shops, we will. If we must close our cafés, we will. If we must stop fundraising, we will. We plan to do everything in our power to keep our core services working, to provide the care and support the most vulnerable and marginalized in Leeds need, whatever the cost. This is what we are here to do; this is what you expect from the Crypt."

The message ended by asking supporters to share the information about the measures being taken and to pray for both its service users and the city.

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