Centre marks 30 years of helping city's addicts

Opened in 1996, Ben's Centre was set up to provide support to people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and rough sleeping. Now, 30 years on the Sheffield charity is marking three decades of work.

"We're like a big happy family," says Emma.

"They've seen me cry, they've seen my mental health. They give me cuddles or sit down and chat with me, they don't judge you or talk to you as though you're down on the floor."

Emma, who has had problems with alcohol since her sister's death from cancer, is just one of the thousands of people helped by Ben's Centre since it was launched by PC Ian Sherman

By the mid-1990s, Sherman had become frustrated with seeing the same people getting into trouble for street drinking in Sheffield city centre.

To try and tackle the problem, the officer, who was affectionately known to many as Ben, had the idea to set up a help centre.

Support to get his idea off the ground came from Sheffield City Council, the TSB bank and other organisations, along with public donations.

Ben's Place, as it became known, was opened in Norfolk Row by Lord Mayor Peter Price and Sheffield-born pop star David Berry in 1996..

It provided food, warmth and shelter to the city's street drinkers during the day.

Volunteers were also central to the effort, which according to the charity, and the people it helps, has not changed.

"[Since] the first time I come here, I've not stopped coming here. It's like all the staff - they care about you," Emma says.

"They try and help you with everything and if they can't help you with what you're looking for they'll try and get you that help and support, you know.

"You can get showers, your breakfast, your dinners, support. You can talk to any of the staff.

"They give you support, anything you want."

Now known as Ben's Centre, it has relocated to Wilkinson Street, in Broomhall.

The service operates as a damp centre, meaning it will offer support to people while under the influence of drugs or lcohol.

According to the charity's website, it is common for other support services to decline to help people in these situations, and Ben's Centre is thought to be the only damp centre in Sheffield and the surrounding areas.

Last year the charity came to the aid of 462 vulnerable individuals, more than double the number it helped in 2021.

CEO Sarah Batty says many people "come for company".

"A lot of our clients are 'street homeless', and I guess I can kind of understand it but by and large they're ignored on the street.

"Here, they've got someone to listen to them."

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