About us
Centre 33 was founded in 1977 and takes its name from it early premises at 33 Hatfield Road, St Albans. It moved to its current premises in 1991. It is manned and managed almost entirely by over 150 volunteers.
Centre 33 provides practical support for people who are in need, homeless or otherwise socially deprived. Despite St Albans' affluent image, some people rough sleep in the area, others are living in temporary accommodation or relying on friends’ sofas. Some people are in need as a result of experiencing unemployment, family breakdown or eviction. They may for now have a roof over their heads but their lives can be precarious and they may need support.
Centre 33 aims to help these people by being somewhere warm and dry to meet, offering hot food and drinks, and by providing toiletries and shower facilities. The need is there; in 2025 there were over 10,000 visits to the centre by about 300 individuals, showing that the need has not declined in recent years.
Centre 33 is a winner of the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
Centre 33 continues to cooperate closely with other local charities, such as Open Door, Emmaus, and Herts Young Homeless, who work in the homelessness sector and with St Albans City and District Council and local police.
Statement of Purpose
Centre 33, in accordance with its constitutional objectives, provides support to people in and around St Albans who are in need, homeless or otherwise socially deprived by providing a volunteer-run service of hot meals and a welcoming place to meet and chat and helps direct its visitors to other available services for assistance or support.
Thank you
Centre 33 continues to operate thanks to the financial generosity of our donors, the availability of volunteers who are generous with their time, and to St Albans City and District council and the Salvation Army on St Albans who kindly provide premises.