Homeless charity to open community hub and house for rough sleepers in Littlehampton

A homeless charity is set to open a newly-renovated facility in the town centre: but it needs the community’s help to get the project over the finish line.
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Turning Tides will be opening a community hub and house this summer at United Church in Littlehampton High Street, near the railway station.

According to the charity, much of the project has been funded by generous individuals and funding bodies.

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Ruth Poyner, head of fundraising and communications, said: “We have raised most of the money needed but £40,000 remains outstanding.

The Turning Tides Community Hub and the United Church in High Street, LittlehamptonThe Turning Tides Community Hub and the United Church in High Street, Littlehampton
The Turning Tides Community Hub and the United Church in High Street, Littlehampton

“Nevertheless, we have pushed ahead with the work and are committed to this project no matter what.

“Covid-19 has accelerated the number of people becoming homeless so we can’t stand still.”

They are inviting the public to support the project by donating.

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The charity has been running a drop in community hub from the church for the last six years, but now, it has secured a ten-year lease on the church’s much larger community hall and has also taken responsibility for one of the church’s vacant domestic buildings.

The charity is in the process of renovating this vacant building into a six-bedroom house.

The newly developed community hub – based in the community hall – will offer for the first time confidential spaces for individual meetings, showers, laundry facilities, and the opportunity for group work to build community on their journey to independence.

Ruth said: “It isn’t enough just to try and keep people alive on the streets – people need shelter and safety so they can begin to rebuild their lives and make steps to reach independence again.

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“These new bedrooms are so much more than four walls – they are a lifeline to a better future.”

Recent weeks have seen transformational work at the site, including the addition of a large container to store food as the Littlehampton and District Foodbank will also be operating from the newly developed premises.

The hall will also continue to be available for community activities.

Call 01903 680748 or visit turning-tides.org.uk/littlehampton-developments to donate to the development.

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