The story of The Friary is rich and diverse. Founded in 1988, The Friary was created to meet the needs of the homeless in Nottingham. Originally a drop-in café in leafy West Bridgford to help the hidden homeless and vulnerable in the neighbourhood.

Open in those days just once a week and run by volunteers with founder Ann Bremner MBE, The Friary is now a UK registered charity maintaining its distinctly Christian ethos to serve the poor and opens its doors on the Musters Road 6 days a week.

Responding to the ever-changing complex needs of the homeless, The Friary has tailored its services into the extensive provision today. It continues to meet people who are hungry. In addition to the very real housing and financial problems, individuals often face a host of other challenges including mental and physical ill-health, substance misuse & addiction, social exclusion to further compound these difficulties, unemployment, illiteracy and sometimes domestic abuse. Substance misuse is now more prevalent.

Over the years The Friary has extended its servicess to enable access to a GP, dentist, podiatrist, in-house IT services to give support with online benefit claims, CV writing and job applications; access to mental health professionals and a specialist nurse to assist rough sleepers.

The Friary’s mission is to help homeless and vulnerable adults to rebuild their lives by offering practical and health services, advice and emotional support. Their commitment is to help people individually by offering advice and support which is accessible and free to anyone who needs it. They achieve this by the ongoing financial support, food, clothing and practical item donations and hours of personal time given by its local community.