About Us

Two Sites. One Hope.

Life & Hope

The Hope Centre, St Helens is a multifaceted charity hub of support, advocacy & practical support. We are dedicated to serving those in our community who are most in need through our various projects, courses and training opportunities and as we continue to grow, we do all we can to help as many people as we can.

Find information on all our services & projects using the buttons below.

mission

Bring life and hope to our community through various social action projects and courses.

vision

Change the landscape and culture of St Helens by bringing about genuine hope to people’s lives.

Aim

Be a voice, light & place of safety for those who need us, when they need us most.

Hope Centre

The Hope Centre is our main base site. We run our admin for our projects from here as well as accepting physical donations to our projects. St Helens Foodbank central admin is also based in our building.

Hope House

Hope House is our homelessness drop in centre, located in the Town Centre. Hope House is available as a support and advocacy service to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

Desmond Tutu

Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear.

Hope Centre

The Hope Centre is the central base of operations for many projects including Baby Basics, Foodbank, Hope Pantry and Breathe Courses.

The projects from the Hope Centre are extensive and varied but all with one key ingredient that binds them together. Bringing hope is the root of what drives what Hope Centre do on a daily basis. Below is a list of current projects, please click on each one for more information.

Baby Basics is a project that supports new mums who may be struggling with some essential supplies, such as a moses basket with clothes and essential toiletries.

The Breathe Course helps people who are struggling with mild/moderate mental health issues in building confidence. Find our more on our courses page, here.

Foodbank provides emergency food packages for those in need. These packs contain enough food for 3 days meals.

To help soften the blow of high living costs and create the conditions for communities to grow and thrive, by bringing people together around food. To strengthen communities, fostering friendships, loosening the grip of poverty and contributing to healthier, happier lives.

Hope House is our homelessness drop in centre, located in the Town Centre. Hope House is available as a support and advocacy service to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Hope House

Hope House exists to support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in St Helens by providing advice, advocacy and support.

Hope House is a drop in service running Monday – Friday every week and also providing Christmas holiday provision.

It provides a basic needs and personal care service for local homeless and those at risk of homelessness and offers advice, advocacy and support to support those in need. Our aim is to move our service users towards independence and help them reach their personal goals, ranging from; accessing food, personal care, benefits and accommodation.

Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future

Bringing Life & Hope Since 2004

Our History

Since 2004, the Hope Centre has provided high quality support and training for those most removed from society. The charity grew out of a church initiative to support people challenged by unemployment, skills shortages and social deprivation and have provided courses, advice and guidance to hundreds of people in the borough. We were a major recipient of ESF funding which enabled us to provide training, advice and support to the unemployed.

In 2006, our work grew to include the town’s only soup kitchen, supporting the homeless in the centre of the town. Since then the service has been developed and transformed into a fully functioning drop in centre. ‘Hope House’ now provides a basic needs service with food and personal care alongside advice, advocacy and support, creating a safe space for those who are homeless and at risk of homelessness. Hope House is often the first point of reference for those who need it, giving us the opportunity to signpost people to engage with other agencies, treatment services and other community support in the borough.

Meet the Team

Angela Metcalfe

Project Director

It was Angela’s vision that brought the Hope Centre to life in 2004. She loves that each team member serves the clients with an open heart and without judgement. Her greatest joy is knowing that we make a real difference to those who need our support.


She loves nothing better than sitting in the garden with a good book.

Sarah McDonagh

Development & Quality Manager

Finding herself at a loose end 6 years ago Sarah started volunteering at the foodbank, a year later she joined Hope Centre staff and is now Development & Quality Manager and loves the many challenges the role brings


Outside of work, she is never happier than when she’s knitting or pottering in the garden

Sally Britch

Foodbank Team Leader

Mark D'Sa

Volunteer Co-Ordinator

My name is Mark D’Sa and I am the Volunteer Coordinator at the Hope Centre. I am here to serve the volunteers that we have to the best of my ability. I am supporting the Food Banks, Baby Basics, and more. That means my days will be very varied – I might be setting up a Food Bank one day, helping out with Baby Basics stock the next, and then creating rotas the day after.

In my spare time I am very keen on swimming, and very much enjoy getting out into God’s Kingdom – I enjoy the outdoors greatly, whether that is on my mountain bike, out climbing, going for a run or kayaking down a river

Jo Morris

Hope Pantry Project Lead & Administrator

Erin Scott

PA to the Project Director & Health and Wellbeing Advocate

Julie Hand

Hope House Manager

Julie manages the team at Hope House who support people who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness.

She enjoys reading and travelling and spending time with her family and three grandchildren.

Lisa Cheshire

Hope House SUPPORT WORKER

Lisa has worked as a support worker at Hope House for over 10 years and believes that working with the homeless is not just a job, it is a vocation.

Lisa loves soul and Jazz music, dancing and going to live gigs. Her family are her world.

Cameron Scott

HOMELESS PREVENTION OFFICER

Meet the Trustees

John Ryan

Chair of Trustees

Craig Lawrenson

Trustee

Craig is the Senior Leader of St Helens CLC and has a  passion for the town of St Helens and value greatly the work of the Hope Centre as they serve our town.

He is married with two children and loves mountain walking and cooking. 

Tom Kelly

TRUSTEE

Tom is retired, after a career as an external auditor. He is committed to his local community and giving something back, particularly in the financial arrangements of the Hope Centre. He hopes his contribution to the Charity helps in its provision of direct help and in showing the love of Christ.

Brendan McDonagh

TRUSTEE

John Sweeney

Trustee

Bill Schafer

TRUSTEE

Niamh Twist

Company Secretary

DayTime
Monday9:00am - 4:00pm
Tuesday9:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday9:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday9:00am - 4:00pm
Friday9:00am - 3:30pm
Saturday/SundayClosed

The Hope Centre, Atherton Street, St Helens, WA10 2DT

DayTime
Monday9:00am - 4:00pm
Tuesday9:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday9:00am - 1:00pm
Thursday9:00am - 4:00pm
Friday9:00am - 4:00pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Hope House, 41-43 Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1ED