Open 8am-4pm Monday to Friday

Leicester YMCA's Advice & Support Centre (YASC) is our drop in centre for homeless people, based in Leicester City Centre, close to the train station. We see over 100 people a day with all kinds of pressing needs and no appointment is necessary. We seek to help everyone who comes through our doors and to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Practical Help

  • a safe and comfortable environment
  • breakfast is between 8am – 9am for those in need
  • emergency food parcels where possible
  • access to toilets, showers, washing facilities and toiletries
  • free laundry facilities for rough sleepers
  • a change of clothes
  • access to telephone for non-personal calls

Advice and Information

  • help finding accommodation in emergency or longer term
  • welfare benefits advice and assistance
  • advice on managing debt
  • information and signposting to specialist drugs and alcohol agencies
  • a year-round health promotion programme
  • specialist mental health advice
  • help establishing identification

Education and Activities

The day centre delivers a wide range of activities including home economics, IT, arts and diversity, creative writing, photography and jobs club. The sessions identify interests and capabilities, focussing on personal development, building on self-esteem personal achievements.

Medical Services

A full range of health services is accessible via YASC, provided by The Homeless Primary Healthcare Service. Psychologists and mental health practitioners are also provided by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.



"I think YASC provides an essential service, its range of activities is excellent and clients always talk about it positively. For some people it's a life-line in a crisis." - Dr. Debbie Tombs, Clinical Psychologist

"I know if it wasn't for this place a lot of people wouldn't manage." - YASC service user

"YASC was there for me at the lowest point of my life" - Former service user, now in employment

Volunteers/Donations

We rely on donations in cash and kind to enable us to continue to provide a high level of service. We need help with:
  • Volunteers to help with refreshments and fundraising
  • Cash donations
  • Donations of non-perishable food and toiletries
If you feel you can help in any of the above ways please contact the Day Centre Manager using the details below, or you can donate on-line. Your help is always appreciated.

Partnership Working

We are located within the Dawn Centre, a unique project seeing all the main homeless services brought together under one roof, with Leicester YMCA as the only voluntary sector provider. Close partnership working has resulted in the provision of high quality, seamless services for the community. The Dawn Centre also comprises: