A Drop-In Service with a HEART
HEART’s Community Info Hub is slap bang in the middle of town in what used to be Hastings’ courthouse and now the Town Hall, still with its public gallery and, it is rumoured, cells underneath. The Info hub grew in response to a need for a place where people could find information about support and services – plus actually talk to a ‘real person’.
One of the first things HEART did when they took over was to revamp the space make it warm and friendly so people felt comfortable. The volunteers helped paint the lofty walls, new carpets were laid – and then laid again after the floods – plants were bought and there is a sofa area as well as the information desks. When you walk in now you get a sense of being welcome and at ease.
What is the hub?
Firstly, it’s a place where people can find information about support and services available in Hastings. This could be advice about energy bills, housing issues or coping with debt, but people also might pop in because they need a bus timetable printed off, a leaflet about hearing-aid maintenance drop-ins or just to look at the social activities noticeboard.
The hub is a drop-in service so you don’t need an appointment, and as things increasingly go digital it can help with that too, whether it’s looking up stuff online, filling in forms, resetting passwords or using the computers and free WiFi.
Secondly, it’s home to lots of other organisations and services. Macmillan has built their first community space (in the country!) where you can find out about cancer support with their volunteers, the eclectic Library of Things offers you the chance to borrow useful stuff and the invaluable Citizens Advice 1066 run a drop-in once a week. Plus, One You East Sussex runs free health and lifestyle coaching twice a week and Women’s Voice and Care for the Carers run pop-up drop-in sessions.
A Community Resource
The Info Hub also has affordable, hirable spaces for community services and events. For example, the consultation rooms have been hired by ESRA (East Sussex Recovery Alliance), used for NHS Health checks and for 1-2-1 meetings by Afri-Co-Lab.
Most importantly, the space is a resource for the people of Hastings, somewhere to get that ‘in person’ connection, take the weight off and have a cup of tea (if you’re lucky). Community Info Hub Manager Maria says: “We can be the person that can chat to someone when they need it. The human element of it – being at the centre of the community.”
And last but certainly not least, you can become an Info Hub volunteer. The Info Hub team are so dedicated, industrious and passionate about what they do – reflecting the spirit of Hastings.
The Community Info Hub is open Wednesday to Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-1pm. HEART stands for Hastings Emergency Response Action Team. Check out the HEART website at hastingsheart.com
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