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

GIVE A GIFT THAT CHANGES A VENDOR'S LIFE THIS WINTER 🎁

For £36.99, help a vendor stay warm, earn an extra £520, and build a better future.
Grant, vendor

Recommended for you

View all
Challenging the stigma of social housing
A row of newly built brick homes in a social housing development, with parked cars in front and a town and green hillside visible in the background.
Advertorial

Challenging the stigma of social housing

Why Wates are the perfect partners for the Big Issue 100 Changemakers of 2026
Two children riding pink scooters along a paved path in a newly built housing development, with two adults walking behind them and modern brick homes and green spaces on either side.
Advertorial

Why Wates are the perfect partners for the Big Issue 100 Changemakers of 2026

A new homelessness law in Wales is being called 'world-leading'. Here's why
a person rough sleeping under a blue blanket on the street
Homelessness

A new homelessness law in Wales is being called 'world-leading'. Here's why

Can apprenticeships fix the housing crisis? ‘I worked in childcare, now I fix social homes’
apprentices at PfP Thrive
Housing

Can apprenticeships fix the housing crisis? ‘I worked in childcare, now I fix social homes’

Win 2 exclusive screen prints from the iconic film Trainspotting!

Celebrating the film’s 30th anniversary in Big Issue – enter your details for the chance to win.