Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is one of the largest, most diverse providers of social services in the UK after the Government. Founded in East London in 1865, we are now working in 118 countries worldwide.

As a church and registered charity, we demonstrate our Christian principles through social welfare provision. Worldwide there are over 1.6million members, running 16,000 church and community centres.

In the UK we run over 113 social service centres including 57 homeless centres, 17 older peoples residential centres, 7 family and 4 children’s centres. We also run 5 centres for people with learning disabilities and 1 centre for women escaping from domestic violence. We also run 27 Red Shield centres providing support to armed forces personel and their families.

The work of The Salvation Army is funded through donations from its members, the general public and, where appropriate, local authority and government grants. Local Salvation Army church and community centres offer a range of activities and services within their local communities.

People can become involved in all sorts of ways, through helping with fundraising initiatives, attending church services and volunteering with local activities.

The Salvation Army is on call to assist the work of the emergency services by providing refreshments, shelter and counselling at major incidents. Recently this has included the 7th July London bombings, the devastating hurricanes in Southern USA, and the severe floods in Carlisle and Boscastle.