Great things are happening at the House
Welcome to the House of St Barnabas in Soho - an extraordinary place in the heart of London.
This charity has a rich history of supporting people to regain their self-esteem, independence and zest for life. For 160 years, men, women and children have lived and received care in this remarkable Grade 1 listed building which includes a chapel and secluded garden in Soho.
Two years ago the charity made the bold decision to close its residential hostel and become a state-of-the-art life skills centre to benefit even more homeless people. Our web site has been re-designed to share our journey as we transform ourselves to best meet the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the 21st century.
We hope you will keep up to date with our progress by visiting this web site for the latest developments.
Winter 2009 Newsletter
Four pages packed with news from people and volunteers at the House - please download a printable copy of our Winter 2009 newsletter (PDF 964Kb).
Pippa Bagnall
Pippa Bagnall has been a faithful servant of the charity for over 15 years. For the last 18 months she has led the charity through a significant and exciting programme of change as Chief Executive. The House of St Barnabas is now ready to enter its next phase of development and as a result Pippa has passed on the baton.
We are enormously grateful to Pippa who has given of her time, expertise and support tirelessly as trustee, Chairman and Chief Executive. Most particularly, Pippa has led the charity through its major transition from being a residential hostel to a state of the art Life Skills Training Centre for homeless and vulnerable people.
Over the last few years the charity has closed as a residential hostel, re-housing its 39 residents and managing members of staff into new jobs. The House itself has been transformed, most importantly with the conversion of the old dormitories into a new life skills suite. A new life skills programme is now in place, and an award winning social enterprise has been developed, combining an events business with life skills development.
Throughout this significant change programme the charity has continued to support, encourage and enable homeless and vulnerable people back in to independent living.
We are grateful to Pippa for the leading the charity through such a significant period of change. Whilst she is returning to her career in healthcare reform she will continue to mentor and support homeless people. We thank her most warmly for all that she has done over many years for the charity and we wish her all the very best for the future!
Life Skills Update
We have reached the half way stage of our exciting new Life Skills Programme. Our volunteers are enjoying having access to a variety of activities, training and professional advice, which is helping to improve their health and wellbeing, and their awareness of what is required in the world of work. Below is a personal account from one of our volunteers, Peter.
There is a lot going on at the moment behind the Georgian grandeur at the House of St Barnabas, where they support people who have experienced homelessness or long-term unemployment. I am one of the recipients.
The Lifeskills Programme, a pilot scheme run at the House to help people back into work is now in its fifth week of nine. It is a combination of work experience within the House, professional training by an outside organisation, workshops and one-to-one sessions - which include life coaching, nutrition, reflexology, homeopathy, batik and photography. The workshops are under the charge of professionals and specialists generously giving their time in order to further the aims of the project. There is also the chance to get involved with some of the many activities at the House, such as the recent music evening in the chapel and a photography project that has led to an interesting area of research for myself.
The project is run by photographer Grace Gelder, who has recently completed her studies in the Far East by producing a fascinating book about women in high places in Mongolian society. It has received a generous grant that has enabled the House to buy three cameras. The Lifeskills participants can produce a book of their own which will possibly be displayed in a local photographic gallery. The transfer of the photographs to the book will involve learning how to process photographs on a computer, as well as some graphic design, which are both invaluable skills.
The project I have chosen is the history and architecture of the House of St Barnabas. I bring some former knowledge and expertise to this project; I was in a former life, many eons ago, a blue-badged London guide, and I also once researched for an MA dissertation in Georgian Architecture.
At the House of St Barnabas one avenue sometimes leads to another, and hearing of my project our CEO Pippa asked me if I might like to try and update the House of St Barnabas guidebook. I am now in the process of doing just that, and what a fascinating history the House has! Pippa has supplied me with many interesting articles involving social history, detailed architectural descriptions and even one about period clocks.
It is my task to shape all of this into a really interesting and modern guide on the House, which can be enjoyed by visitors and clients in times to come. Once my text and photographs are completed, the House will help me with the graphic design and layout and, hey presto, a new guidebook should be available shortly... Watch this space!
Summer 2009 Newsletter
Four pages packed with news from people and volunteers at the House - please download a printable copy of our Summer 2009 newsletter (PDF 918Kb).
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2009
This year a group of our volunteers have enjoyed making a significant contribution to the Eden Project's unique show garden, The Key.
The garden is a collaboration between the Homes and Communities Agency, Communities and Local Government, Eden Project and Homeless Link, and is designed by Paul Stone of the Eden Project. Homeless people and prisoners around the country have grown most of the 10,000 plants required.
Howard Jones from the Eden Project and the inspiration behind this initiative says, The Key is a catalyst for long-term change and ongoing work, by increasing employment prospects for the participants who have gained new life skills and training through their involvement in the project.
Pictured here (top photo, from left to right) are volunteers Nathaniel and Kai with Pippa Bagnall (CEO) and Martin Murphy (Life Skills Manager); and (bottom photo, from left to right) volunteers Kai, John and David.
Spring 2009 Newsletter
Four pages packed with news from people and volunteers at the House - please download a printable copy of our Spring 2009 newsletter (PDF 1Mb).
SPARK Winner
On hearing news that the House of St Barnabas is a winner in SPARK 2009, Pippa Bagnall, CEO, said, We are really delighted to have been selected as one of the 15 winners of the 2009 Spark award. The timing is perfect for us and we relish this wonderful opportunity to team up with business experts and corporate sponsors. Our Life Skills Programme is unique thanks to the creative use of our extraordinary building, chapel and garden and we hope to share our vision and model as a social enterprise champion.
Over the last few years the charity has been reorganising itself in response to the Government's refocus on homelessness strategies. Putting a roof over a person’s head only solves part of the problem. It is now widely recognised that people need a great deal of support, opportunity and encouragement to make life changes that will give them long-term security, fulfilment and happiness.
Pippa Bagnall explained, in 2005 we took a long hard look at our situation and unanimously decided to transform our charity from a residential hostel to a state of the art Life Skills Centre. Our main ambitions were to make it financially viable for us to remain in our building and to help many more people.
In 2008, the charity established an Events business which generates income and learning opportunities for participants in its Life Skills Programme. As the business begins to flourish, the charity is able to develop new aspects of its Programme, such as a Healthy Cafe, a gardening enterprise, a training and education department and a health and well-being programme including therapies and health advice.
The possibility of being given expert business advice at this time means that we can adopt a robust approach which will give the charity long-term security and a confidence in addressing the plight of many people who hit hard times, said Pippa Bagnall.
We are excited about this award and look forward to scaling up our enterprise. In the words of one of our participants: 'You listened to me, helped me and gave the chance to address my problems - I am excited about my future!'
Young Presidents' Organisation takes interest in London homelessness
The snow was falling, it was cold and dark. Members of the Young Presidents Organisation were led around the streets and alleyways of Soho by staff of The House of St Barnabas. This was part of a larger educational event organised by David and Hannie Wilkinson, members of YPO. Homelessness is an ongoing issue but the plight of vulnerable and despairing people can be easy to overlook.
During the tour, Chief Executives of businesses world wide saw parts of London where people sleep in doorways, beg by cash points and feed their addictions. Back in the warmth of the House and after a nourishing bowl of soup, Sue Atkinson, the first Director of Public Health for London, introduced the panel of speakers: Pippa Bagnall, CEO of the House of St Barnabas; Stephen Robinson, CEO of The Big Issue Foundation; Major Malcolm Walters, Salvation Army. After a short presentation from each speaker, Martin Murphy, Life Skills Co-ordinator at the House, talked about his personal experience of homelessness.
This was followed by a lively discussion about the many issues of homelessness. Questions such as "should we give money to people who are begging?" and "will we ever end rough sleeping?" were explored.
The final and possibly most important question was "How can we help?" - to which Pippa Bagnall replied, time and money. A bit direct perhaps but the response from everyone was very encouraging!
The Queen's New Year Honours
Congratulations to one of our two holding trustees, the Revd Adam Scott TD, who has been appointed an Officer in the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for public and voluntary service.
He told us, I am happy to receive the honour and to acknowledge all those who have encouraged and enabled my contribution with their own contributions. I am grateful to those who have worked with me over the past forty years - I do believe that this honour recognises the value of work that we have done together.
Adam is photographed here with the Macedonian Ambassador HE Marija Efremova, planting a camellia in the garden as a contribution to the environment and a sign of friendship. The Orthodox Macedonian community use the chapel at the House of St Barnabas for their regular services.
Lucky raffle winners
In its ongoing quest to raise funds, the House of St Barnabas held its first ever raffle over the course of November 2008, with three fabulous prizes on offer. 3rd prize was dinner for two at the Gay Hussar restaurant, one of the hidden gems of Soho. 2nd prize was use of the House's delightful Garden Room and Garden, for an event to be held on a date of the winner's choosing. Last but not least, the grand prize was use of the whole remarkable venue for an event on a date to be chosen by the winner, a luxury that would otherwise have cost £5000.
The draw was held on Monday the first of December, with raffle organiser James Bagnall drawing the winners. The three lucky winners were as follows: 3rd prize: Kissmann Langford, a strategic communications consultancy and friend of the house; 2nd prize: David Gilmore, chaplain at the House and rector of St Anne's Parish Church; 1st prize: Claire Falcon of Falcon Windsor, a copywriter and friend of the House, who has written to say,
How exciting to hear that I'd won the raffle! As well as being a very worthy charity, the House of St Barnabas will be a wonderful place to hold my company's fifth anniversary party in 2009. Can't wait!
All of the proceeds from the raffle go directly to helping the House's homeless volunteers, where every pound counts, and we thank each and every person who took part in the raffle, especially those who didn't win!
If you took part in the raffle and came away with nothing, or wish you were in time to buy a ticket yourself, you have another chance to prove lady luck has not abandoned you as the House of St Barnabas will be holding another raffle in the Spring of 2009. Watch the web site for details.
Autumn 2008 Newsletter
Four pages packed with news from people and volunteers at the House - please download a printable copy of our Autumn 2008 newsletter (PDF 3.3Mb).
Open House Weekend 2008
Over the weekend of September 20th and 21st buildings across London opened their doors for Open House Weekend. Here at The House of St Barnabas over one thousand visitors were given guided tours of the House. The tour guides elaborated on the history and architecture of the building as well as explaining the work of the charity. This was a great opportunity to show the magnificent No.1 Greek Street to a wide audience. Visitors were shown around the building as well as its beautiful garden and chapel, a rare chance to glimpse one of the hidden treasures of Soho.
The reaction to the tours was overwhelmingly positive, and the trustees and staff who gave the tours enjoyed themselves immensely. We were pleasantly surprised by such comments as:
This has been one of the most fascinating tours I've had all weekend.
It is wonderful to see such a special environment being used for such important charitable work.
In the evening the House was the venue for a party for volunteers who had worked at open houses across London. Held in the garden, this gave volunteers from varied cites opportunities to share their experiences, and exhaustion, after such a brilliantly busy Open House Weekend.
Taking homelessness seriously
On 30 July 2008, Boris Johnson visited the House of St Barnabas and met with leaders in the Homelessness sector. Pippa Bagnall, Chief Executive, welcomed the mayor and led a discussion about the issues and challenges of managing homelessness across London.
Providing a roof over someone's head is just the beginning of a chain of support which people need in order to regain their self-esteem, confidence and independence. Very often the first step on the road to recovery is to feel valued.
The mayor responded by asking for more information about the charity's Life Skills Programme and said I strongly agree that we must aim to get people off the streets and in to work. I have committed to ending rough sleeping by 2012 and I will explore further how I can best support this aim. The Mayor's Fund is one opportunity but I will personally commit to offering a homeless person a work opportunity at City Hall.
The mayor was given a guided tour of the extraordinary Georgian building, chapel and garden. He met several homeless people including Robert Davidson who was responsible for the photography for the event.
Royal launch - Health Forum for homeless people
The new Health Forum at the House of St Barnabas was launched with royal fanfare by HRH Princess Alexandra.
Showing her support for the forum, which will link homeless people with essential health services, Princess Alexandra met health professionals, trustees, volunteers, staff and supporters.
Celebrated NHS leader Professor Sir George Alberti also welcomed the new initiative. The plans are absolutely phenomenal he said. You will pick up people who are in desperate need. As National Director for Emergency Access and Clinical Director for Service Reconfiguration, he praised the Health Forum's mission to start with the needs of the person and create easy access to health care.
Homeless people are so busy just surviving that health is a long way down their list of priorities, explained Pippa Bagnall, Chief Executive at the House of St Barnabas. Their life expectancy is significantly lower and they are more likely to suffer from respiratory disorders, mental health problems, skin complaints and infections.
The Health Forum will offer health assessments and personal care plans; and provide a venue for agencies working on homelessness issues to network and share their experiences. Bringing together partners across the capital, the Health Forum will ensure that services work together in the interest of London's homeless people.
The launch of the Health Forum is a landmark in our development, said Pippa Bagnall. We are grateful to those who have helped us shape our plans and we are encouraged by the wide range of people who have expressed a desire to join forces on behalf of homeless and vulnerable people.
Our new look
To celebrate our vision and roadmap for the future, the House of St Barnabas is introducing a new look. We think our fresh new appearance signals that things are changing "at the house" as we open our doors to new opportunities and initiatives to make a difference to the lives of homeless and disadvantaged people.
We chose a contemporary, but welcoming identity to pave the way for great things to happen "at the house." Our friends at Bisqit in partnership with Hill & Knowlton, pulled out all the stops, as an in-kind donation, to provide us with our new look and start us on our way in style.
Health and social care at the house
Plans to improve the health and well-being of one of London's most vulnerable groups are underway at the House of St Barnabas. Furthering its mission to help homeless people change their lives, the charity is exploring initiatives to ensure that disadvantaged and marginalised people benefit from essential health and social services.
The House aims to be the catalyst for helping homeless people to navigate these often-complicated networks. Mobilising partners across the capital, the proposed health and social care forum would seek to ensure that services work together in the interest of London's homeless people.
Using a partnership approach, we want to reduce the ill-health of homeless and marginalised people in London from our Soho address said Pippa Bagnall.
The objectives of a health and social care forum at the House are:
- To establish an integrated effort to improve and maintain the health of homeless and marginalised people
- To create initially pan-Westminster group of stakeholders involved in the provision of health care services across the public, private and voluntary services
- To reduce the ill-health of homeless and marginalised people using a partnership approach
- To determine what we provide at the House which is complimentary to other services
- As we renovate the House of St Barnabas, we aim to develop a "healing environment."
Run for the money
Teaming up with our corporate supporters Berkeley Partnership, a trio from the House of St. Barnabas raced to raise funds for the charity at the London Duathlon on 9 September in Richmond Park. Pippa Bagnall and trustees Rosemary Brown and Howard Jones joined forces as the Busy Bs team to run (5k, 9 k) and bicycle (20k). Howard, flying around track on a borrowed bike in 23 minutes, brought acclaim to the House by winning first place among all the bicyclists participating in the team section of the duathlon. Berkeley's team was Juliet Armstrong, Matt Kind and friend David Kelly. More importantly, the teams' participation in the duathlon raised an impressive £2000 for the House.
2000 visitors in two days!
We opened our doors to some 2000 visitors during the annual London Open House 2007. Trustees and volunteers shared the rich architectural and historic heritage of the house and the charity during a weekend of guided tours which saw people lining up around Soho Square. Pippa Bagnall said
It was an overwhelming success. We were thrilled by the public's interest in our past, present and future. We were able to share our exciting vision for the house with visitors from across London and beyond.
Be sure to put the dates 20-21 September 2008 in your diary, for London Open House 2008, when the House of St Barnabas plans to open its doors once again for London's greatest architectural festival.
