Find out what the Leonard Stocks Centre is and how it helps people and the local community.
The Leonard Stocks Centre provides safe, temporary accommodation and support for adults who are homeless or sleeping rough in Torbay.
The centre is in Factory Row, Torquay. Staff provide support 24 hours a day. They help residents access services that can support them into long-term accommodation and rebuild their lives.
The centre is for adults who:
Priority is given to people who need both accommodation and ongoing support.
Residents are supported to:
By helping individuals address the issues that contribute to homelessness helps:
Our Housing Options and Homelessness Service and the Rough Sleeping team coordinate referrals.
If you are a professional, agency or organisation and would like to refer someone, contact the hostel first. Staff can discuss the person's circumstances and whether the service is suitable for them.
If you’re concerned about someone sleeping rough, contact StreetLink.
Contact Torbay Council's Housing Options team as soon as possible, if you are:
The team can provide guidance and support.
Factory Row, Torquay, TQ2 5QQ
01803 217890
01803 208723
The Friends of Factory Row is a registered charity working to support Leonard Stocks residents.
Find out more about their work and how you can get involved on the Friends of Factory Row website.
Fact: The centre supports people who already have a local connection to Torbay and are experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping. Residents are typically people who have lived, worked, or have close family ties within the area. The centre provides support to local people at a time of crisis.
Fact: The centre is designed to be a temporary accommodation service that helps people move from homelessness into longer-term housing. Staff work with residents to develop plans that support their move towards independent living and settled accommodation.
Fact: The centre offers far more than a bed for the night. Residents receive support to access housing, healthcare, mental health services, substance misuse services, employment opportunities, benefits advice and other community services. The aim is to help people address the challenges that may have contributed to their homelessness and rebuild their lives.
Fact: The vast majority of people experiencing homelessness do not engage in anti-social behaviour. Like any community, individuals have different backgrounds and circumstances. The centre works closely with local partners to encourage positive behaviour, provide support and address concerns where they arise. Homelessness should not be confused with criminality.
Fact: Anti-social behaviour can involve many different individuals and factors. It is incorrect to assume that all incidents are linked to hostel residents. We work with our partners to investigate reports and take appropriate action where necessary.
Fact: Homelessness can happen for many reasons, including relationship breakdown, financial hardship, ill health, family circumstances, domestic abuse, loss of employment, or housing difficulties. Every person's story is different, and many people experiencing homelessness have faced significant challenges beyond their control.
Fact: Many people successfully move on from homelessness when given the right support. The Leonard Stocks Centre is focused on helping residents develop the skills, confidence and support networks needed to move into long-term accommodation and live independently.
Fact: Many residents actively engage with support services and work hard to improve their circumstances. Staff provide tailored support and encouragement, recognising that recovery and change take time and look different for each individual. Residents regularly take part in enrichment activities, including swimming and forest walks, organised by hostel staff.
Fact: Homelessness can affect people from all backgrounds and at various stages of life. It is often the result of a combination of circumstances rather than a single event. Many people who become homeless have previously held jobs, rented homes, maintained tenancies and lived independently.
Fact: Access to accommodation is managed through referral and assessment processes. Referrals are coordinated through Torbay Council's housing and homelessness services to ensure available accommodation is allocated appropriately and individuals receive the support they need.
Fact: While the centre plays an important role in supporting rough sleepers, it may also support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who require accommodation and support services. Eligibility and accommodation decisions are based on individual circumstances.