Written by Matthew Hall – Crisis Support Worker at WBC
The Well-Bean Café (WBC) has been open in Leeds since November 2016, initially at the Lincoln Green Community Centre (Sat to Mon) and from this past January extended to 5 nights a week – running an additional two nights per week (Tue to Wed) at Touchstone House in Beeston. We recently received the news from our funders that the service has been extended for over two further years (WOOOOH HOOOOOOOO), acknowledging the support that has been provided to the people who have accessed the service over this period. Across both sites of the Well-Bean Café, we have had over 230 plus individual visitors, and a few thousand overall visits – with both services often being full to capacity.
We feel at the WBC that this is most important for the people that use the service, offering a space where they can come and feel safe away from their problems. One of our longer term visitors wanted us to the pass on their feelings in this blog:
‘I love the Well-Bean Café. The staff have always been there for me when I have referred to the service. It’s safe and caring – it’s a place I go to get away from my anxiety’.
Another visitor was happy to share the following:
‘The staff at the Café are real, and I can trust them with my stuff.’
For anyone new to the service – days the WBC is open, and how to refer yourself to us – please read the information below:
SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND MONDAY 6PM TO 12AM @ LINCOLN GREEN COMMUNITY CENTRE, CROMWELL MOUNT, LS9 7ST.
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY 6PM TO 12AM @ TOUCHSTONE HOUSE, 2-4 MIDDLETON CRESCENT, BEESTON, LS11 6JU.
Both services have the same referral numbers: SELF REFERRAL 07760173505 PROFESSIONAL REFERRAL: 07760173476.
We can also take on the door referrals at either service in the same time period. 
If you are in mental health crisis, or are feeling socially isolated in the Leeds area and feel like you have no support – please call us on the above numbers or come and refer in person. We provide social, emotional and/or practical support while also providing a safe space to get away from things for a period of time. We also provide fresh cooked food (with vegetarian and vegan options) as well as hot or cold drinks on tap. The hardest part can be making contact in the first place – if you are struggling please call us, we can help…
OUR PROFESSIONAL REFERRAL LINE IS: 07760 173505                                                           
OUR SELF REFERRAL LIFE IS: 07760 173476 (both lines open 6 to 12am Sat’ to Wed’)
We offer a genuinely safe place – with caring staff/support workers, offering the following services: A non-judgemental social place to relax in, freshly cooked food with hot/cold drinks on tap (no charge), 1 to 1 therapeutic support sessions (up to an hour – from a person centred standpoint), practical support – with a focus on social crisis, information and signposting to others helpful services in Leeds, as well as having board games, art books, music and even a pool table that can be used by anyone. Our workers – Kim, Karen, Matt, Fiona, Kim (yes another one), Zoe, Christian, Wendy and Adriana are here are to welcome you with a friendly smile J…
The Well-Bean – Hope in a Crisis Café is a service run in partnership between Touchstone and Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service. Please find flyers for both sites of the Well-Bean Hope in a Crisis Café below.

*PLEASE NOTE – ON YOUR FIRST VISIT TO THE WELL-BEAN CAFÉ – WE WILL PROVIDE A FREE TAXI (TO AND FROM) THE SERVICE, TO TAKE AWAY THE WORRY OF GETTING TO US FOR THE FIRST TIME*