The Crypt has enjoyed good partnerships with schools throughout Leeds for many years; we have also developed volunteering opportunities for students as well as providing programmes for students to visit the Crypt to contribute towards University and College degree assignments.

We really appreciate our partnerships with specialist university departments, where specific projects are undertaken which benefit the Crypt and the students undertaking the projects. For further details of possibilities, please email Tara McMillan.

If you would like to have someone representing The Crypt to speak about issues relating to homelessness at your school/college/university please email Arja Copperwheat. 

Poor health is a major factor for many clients who access the Crypt. We have worked in partnership with the York Street Medical Practice for many years. The practice has a well deserved reputation for understanding and empathizing with

issues with which homeless and destitute people invariably present. We believe strongly that access to good health facilities is vital in assisting homeless people in making progress in their lives.

We work in partnership with many agencies supporting the homeless in Leeds, including close links with the Street Outreach Team, part of Change, Grow, Live. We are committed to joint working to provide a co-ordinated response to the problems of rough sleeping, and an example of our co-operation is The Hub project.

Spacious Places is a charity which provides structured programmes which promote total abstinence to people seeking to conquer addiction. The Crypt works closely with Spacious Places, and a number of Crypt residents and clients have been part of the Spacious Places programme.

Since the Crypt opened its doors for the first time in 1930, church communities from Leeds and beyond have been at the heart of our core support.

We are ever grateful to the hundreds of church groups from many denominations who – through faithful people of all ages – provide prayerful and practical support to us at the Crypt. We value their support daily and our monthly Prayer Diary is a key way in which we communicate to church groups our needs, and also give thanks for successes.

Church members are an important area for provision of volunteers, fund raisers and prayer partners. Please email Arja Copperwheat if you would like further information on how your church can help the Crypt.

We continue to work with serving prisoners who support St George's Crypt on volunteering placements with us through the ROTL (release on temporary licence) scheme. Tara McMillan, our Volunteer Co-ordinator, has developed partnerships with local prisons HMP Leeds and HMP Askham Grange.  We offer long-term structured work experience in a particular section of the charity - reception, shops, kitchen, cafe and Nurture catering.  

The aim of the scheme is to give people the best chances of resettlement into society when released from prison and reduce the likelihood of re-offending. We offer practical support, guidance and friendship, helping the person to build up a support network well before they are released. 

Coming to work in an environment outside of the prison has given them a sense of self worth, confidence, team work and being a part of something special. We are so impressed with the work ethic they have brought with them. It is a developing part of the Crypt’s work and we hope that we continue to support many more in the coming years.