Multi-coloured makeover as community hub in Shoreham, Southwick and Fishersgate hits crowdfunding target

Team members with their freshly dyed hair

The Gateway Hub, which is based in Gardener Road, Fishersgate, has been helping out people in need during the pandemic by putting together personalised parcels of food, toiletries, nappies and basic clothes.

It supports people in Shoreham, Southwick and Fishersgate – and grew out of two Facebook groups, Shoreham Covid-19 Community Support and Southwick & Fishersgate Covid-19 Community Support.

A crowdfunding drive was launched last month, which will allow the hub to continue helping residents beyond the immediate coronavirus crisis – read more here.

To mark reaching the 10k target, the team decided to dye their hair different colours – to match the new rainbow logo designed for the hub.

Nathalie Croxon said: “We decided to dye our hair because we were inspired by our team member, Mel Humphreys.

“She’s such a happy and positive person to be around, and her pink hair brightens all day.

“We were in the middle of crowdfunding when we launched the Gateway Hub’s rainbow logo, so decided we’d all take a leaf out of Mel’s book and do something fun for a charitable cause that’s close to all our hearts.”

The hub operates with three strands.

The ‘Grub Hub’ provides food vouchers, fresh food, emergency food, shopping for people who can afford it but cannot get out and care parcels.

The ‘Kids’ Hub’ provides baby care parcels, children’s clothes gift wrapped by age and stage, children’s activity and educational packages, toys, books, children’s birthday cakes and gifts.

The ‘Help Hub’ provides advocacy, signposting and help with navigating the benefits system, help with housing issues, befriending people who are isolated, up to date information and advice about local shops and services.

Find out more about the hub by visiting www.ssfcs.org

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