Posted on: 28th July 2026

All churches and Christian organisations in the city are dependent on volunteers in their gospel work.

Leeds City Mission is no exception.  In addition to five paid staff, around twenty volunteers assist the City Mission in its projects.  Working from its the City Mission Hub in Mistress Lane, Armley it offers a range of services.  These include a Christian Book & Card Booth, Charity Shop, Foodbank, Hygiene Shelf, Prison Chaplaincy, Welcome Space for the isolated, Clothing Bank, free shower facility for those living on the streets, street evangelism plus other projects.

For the last few years Leeds City Mission have provided experience of social outreach and evangelism projects to volunteers from overseas.  Twenty year old Reka Hermann from Hungary has been in the UK for 11 months working with an international christian volunteer exchange programme.  During her time in Leeds she has gained experience of working with various organisations including children, young people, environmental and social compassion projects. Leeds City Mission has been one of them.

Most weeks she has spent a day at the LCM Centre working alongside other volunteers assisting in various initiatives. 

These have included receiving and allocating donations to the Pantry Project Foodbank from supermarkets/churches and making these available to visitors in need. 

Reka has sorted clothes for use in the clothing bank, stored products for the personal hygiene shelf and provided new outfits of clothes for homeless visitors who have called to use the Compassion Centre’s shower. She has been able to serve many local residents who have called at the Welcome Space project who have appreciated a chat and a drink at the Welcome Space which operates five mornings of the week. She has also developed green credentials undertaking litter picks to clear up rubbish discarded by pedestrians who cross the grassed area adjacent to the LCM premises.

After nearly a year Reka is returning home.  She said she had enjoyed her time spent in Leeds. It had helped to improve her spoken English. She appreciated very much the time spent at Leeds City Mission and the insight it had given her into British culture.  She had learnt about the challenges faced by many people living in inner city areas and the importance of urban evangelism.  

City Mission Development Worker Andy Dalton thanked Reka for her tireless efforts and the significant contribution she had made to the various projects at the LCM Centre. He said that she had become a valued member of the volunteer team. He wished her well in her future studies.

Reka is returning to Hungary to start a five-year theology course at Budapest University. 

Leeds City Mission is one of the oldest chrisitan organisations in the city being in continuous existence since 1837. It works with marginalised people and those struggling with life. It is a multi-church agency. More details on 0113 345 3118.

Accompanying photographs show City Mission Coordinator Andy Dalton saying farewell to volunteer Reka Hermann.  Also a picture of Leeds City Mission Centre in Mistress Lane, Armley – just three hundred yards from the front gate of Armley Jail