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About the Hope Centre

Two Sites. One Hope.

Life & Hope

The Hope Centre charity grew out of a church initiative to support people challenged by unemployment, skills shortages and social deprivation and over the years we have provided courses, advice and guidance to hundreds of people in the borough.

Find information on all our 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.

Projects

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.

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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.

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“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

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.

  • Tenancy Support
  • Correspondence address - for those of no fixed abode
  • IT Access & Help with Online Benefits
  • Access to Phone Calls
  • Support to complete documentation
  • Advocacy support – including support to appointments
  • Signposting or referral to partners agencies and other specialist organisations
  • Proof of Identification Service
Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future

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.

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Sarah McDonagh

Development & Quality Manager

Finding herself at a loose end in 2014, 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

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Sally Britch

Foodbank Project Lead, Baby Basics Project Lead & Safeguarding Officer

Sally joined St. Helens Food Bank in May 2023. She runs the 5 food banks across St. Helens, issuing vouchers, collecting donations, and supplying food. Baby Basics is also something that Sally helps to run, which is our Charity supplying Moses baskets and clothes to new mothers.

Sally loves walking her dog, travelling, and reading a good book.

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Jo Morris

Hope Pantry Project Lead

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Erin Scott

PA to the Project Director, COMPANY SECRETARY & Health and Wellbeing Advocate

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Erin plays a vital role in keeping our charity running smoothly. As PA to the Project Director, she provides essential support in communications and operations. Her dedication as a Health and Well-being advocate ensures our team and projects stay aligned with our mission to promote better lives.

Additionally, Erin serves as our Company Secretary, ensuring compliance and maintaining high standards of governance. In her spare time, you will find Erin unwinding with her lovable pug, who never fails to bring a smile to her day.

Julie Hand

Project Lead

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.

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Gemma Lyons

Finance Administrator

Gemma has been an admin volunteer with the Hope Centre for several years. Recently she moved into a role as staff keeping track of the finances of the charity. The generous donations from people within the community are always a delight to see on the records each month. 

Outside of work she enjoys writing, photography, and spending time with family and her two cats.

Cameron Scott

HOMELESS PREVENTION OFFICER

My name is Cameron, and I am one of the Homeless Prevention Officers at Hope House. Working in Homeless Prevention can be challenging but also very rewarding. My job gives me the opportunity to work with and support people who aren’t as fortunate and that’s why I love it!

Outside of work I love to travel the world, play rugby, and spend time with my family.

Hayley Taylor

Homeless Prevention Officer

I am Hayley, One of the Homeless Prevention Officers from the team over at Hope House. Apart from working at Hope House I am currently a university student studying my year 3 of a BA Honours degree in Christian Theology, Mission, Ministry and Leadership. 

I have a fifteen-year-old son, Joel and any spare time I have I really enjoy spending time with him, my family, friends and also church friends.

Jamey Oliver

Homeless Prevention Officer

From once upon a time of being homeless himself and living a life of doom & gloom. Jamey is now an advocate for those who face the same struggles he once faced. Using his street life to straight life mindset to help others find themselves once again!

Away from work, Jamey enjoys taking part in challenges such as long hikes, mountain walks/climbs.

Meet the Trustees

John Ryan

Chair of Trustees

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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. 

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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.

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Brendan McDonagh

TRUSTEE

John Sweeney

Trustee

Bill Schafer

TRUSTEE

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.

Hope Centre

  • The Hope Centre
    Atherton Street
    St Helens, WA10 2DT
  • 01744 26414
  • info@hopecentre.org.uk
HOURS

Hope House

  • Hope House
    Hope House, 110 Crab Street, St Helens, WA10 2DJ
  • 01744 20032
  • info@hopecentre.org.uk
Hours

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The Hope Centre.

Bringing life and hope to our community.

The Hope Centre is registered in England and Wales as a Registered Charity No. 1103903 and a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5089663.

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