Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Housing

Homeless charity House of St Barnabas reopens after fire

The Soho townhouse has been helping the homeless since 1862

Celebrated London club and homeless charity The House of St Barnabas has reopened its doors after a fire damaged the building in March.

No one was hurt in the blaze at the Greek Street club on March 18,  but the house was closed for a short period to allow for cleaning and to prepare for repairs. It opened its doors again on Tuesday May 8.

The Grade 1-listed townhouse in Soho has been run as a charity to help those affected by homelessness since 1862, and has been home to a not-for-profit members club since 2013.

The venue also runs an employment training programme, with a goal “to create the strongest community of people  invested in creating a fair and equal society, where lasting work is a reality for people affected by homelessness”.

The employment academy has continued as usual, despite the recent fire, with the current participants of the Employment Preparation Programme graduating on May 3.

Sandra Schembri, the CEO of the House of St Barnabas, said:  “We are thrilled to welcome our members back into the House and we are soon to welcome the next round of participants on to our Employment Preparation Programme.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

“We would like to thank the public for all their offers of help and support over the past few weeks to get ourselves back and running.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
Florence Eshalomi named as homelessness minister: 'I know what a difference a safe home makes'
Housing committee chair Florence Eshalomi heads a committee on children living in temporary accommodation
Homelessness

Florence Eshalomi named as homelessness minister: 'I know what a difference a safe home makes'

Right-wing parties keep promising to ban foreigners from social housing. Here's why it won't work
A housing estate in England
Housing crisis

Right-wing parties keep promising to ban foreigners from social housing. Here's why it won't work

Andy Burnham wants to prevent homelessness. But can he do it in 'landlord-class Britain'?
The silhouette of a homeless person sat in front of a house illustrated as a calculator
Investigation

Andy Burnham wants to prevent homelessness. But can he do it in 'landlord-class Britain'?

Labour 'turning the tide' on homelessness but Burnham 'must go further' to help homeless kids
Prime minister Andy Burnham pictured with a child in Sheffield
Housing

Labour 'turning the tide' on homelessness but Burnham 'must go further' to help homeless kids