The House of St Barnabas: Soho Square's Historic Building & Private Members’ Club That Gives Back to the Community
When you hear “a Grade-I listed Georgian townhouse located in the heart of London’s Soho,” you might think of a posh, private residence or a members’ club with prohibitive prices. None of this applies at The House of St Barnabas, situated within a spacious, four-story Georgian building at the southeast corner of Soho Square’s garden on Greek Street.
Its red-brick facade and sash windows create instant curb appeal, and an impressive contemporary art collection is on display inside. The building’s unusual red and gold tiles between its first and second floors read "House of Charity," bridging the gap between the history and present purpose of this magnificent space that is fully committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness.
The House of St Barnabas in Soho, London.
From the mid-18th century, the building was a private residence of various MPs–not a surprise as its architecture and interior are very seductive. Believed to be the setting for Dr Manette’s house in Charles Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities, its rococo plasterwork and lavishly elegant mint green paint frame the grand staircase, the heart of the House, and the space also boasts the biggest patio area in Soho, set up for working and socialising. Their private contemporary art collection can be seen throughout the House, including works by Banksy, the Chapman Brothers, Tracey Emin, Roxy Walsh, Tom Gallant, and an early work by Damien Hirst that is fresh, unspoiled, and strongly political.
The grand staircase.
Famous inhabitants of the House have included Joseph Bazalgette, the man who built London’s Embankment and main sewer system, relieving the city of its “great stink.” After Bazalgette moved out in 1861, the House of Charity took over the building to give shelter to deprived and indebted families from the area. A beautiful chapel was built at the back of the building that still operates today as a place of worship.
The Drawing Room.
Today, The House of St Barnabas is an unusual hybrid, combining a not-for-profit members' club with a social enterprise; aiming to break the cycle of homelessness and social exclusion in central London by helping people find lasting, paid work through their initiative called the Employment Academy. As stated by Susie Stirling, the House’s Partnerships and Art Manager, "Being homeless makes finding a job more difficult. The longer you are out of work, the harder it is to get work and the bigger the negative impact on health." The austere stats support this statement and show that 94% of homeless people are jobless, 72% deal with mental health issues, and 56% live with long-term physical disabilities. Ongoing difficulties with housing, health, debts, and complicated personal situations lead to a lack of confidence and low self-esteem and also create barriers when getting work. The need for the support offered by the Employment Academy is sadly all too visible with a market dominated by private lets and the inaccessibility of housing to those not in high priority groups. Only 20% of National Landlords Association members are prepared to let their properties to tenants receiving housing benefits, and rents are still 10-15% higher than the maximum amount that can be claimed. The estimated annual cost of homelessness is around £1 billion, with every person made homeless equating to an additional £26,000 taxpayer expense.
The Soho Room.
To help their beneficiaries, the Employment Academy developed a smart model of hands-on training in the House that combines practical work experience and employability skills with personal development. The programme is three months long and leads to City & Guilds qualifications in either Hospitality or Business and Administration. Participants work in the House’s not-for-profit member's club, gaining real-world work experience at reception, on the club floor, in the kitchen, and in their offices. Mindfulness, goal setting, understanding of how the brain works, customer service skills, CV workshops and mock interviews round up the 360-degree learning experience, often resulting in lasting friendships between participants and a deep connection with the House. Participants complete the programme with an up-to-date CV, smart work clothes, job interview experience, and training in presentation skills.
Overlooking the grand staircase.
After graduation, they are just as supported. A professional mentor is allocated to each participant to provide professional advice and moral support for one year after training completion. The Charity also focuses on “making strong links with employers who offer opportunities for good work, with fair pay and conditions," and this area has been defined as one where the Employment Academy makes the most difference by their participants and staff. The House has recently started its 20th Employment Academy and at any one time supports up to 100 people with lived experience of homelessness. Over 70 referral agencies, including homeless hostels, day centres, mental health organisations, community groups, Jobcentre Plus and specialist organisations working with offenders and people with addictions, have referred their clients to the Employment Academy's programme. Three years ago, an accommodation pathway was added to the programme to offer a route into affordable housing. It provides extensive practical support including giving benefits advice, helping with grant applications for furnishings, dealing with bills, budgeting, and repairs, and navigating landlords and neighbours.
The Monro Room.
Above all, the supportive atmosphere and good spirits of the House’s talented and hardworking individuals, all of whom are changing lives, are what you feel when you enter the House; blanketing the space in warmth. The private club’s local members who, through their membership, support this key initiative enjoy a full run of the House and its central location, the creativity of the contemporary art programme’s rotating exhibitions, a Swiss bar and restaurant, and several ornately decorated rooms. Put plainly, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Hopefully, in the future, we will see this win-win model adopted in many other membership clubs, both in the UK and abroad.
Thanks to Partnerships and Art Manager Susie Stirling, whose tour of the House inspired this article. Images courtesy of The House of St Barnabas.
Monika Sapielak
Agents of Change Co-Editor, MADE IN BED