The Resource Hub in Bognor Regis is officially openedThe Resource Hub in Bognor Regis is officially opened
The Resource Hub in Bognor Regis is officially opened

Stonepillow opens new homeless resource hub in Bognor Regis – in pictures

A new hub which will give homeless people in Bognor Regis direct access to medical and therapeutic interventions has been officially opened.

The Resource Hub, run by the charity Stonepillow, will help its clients who have substance misuse issues or mental health issues by bringing together different support organisations under one roof. After submitting a bid in early 2019, the charity was granted capital funding from Public Health England, as well as additional funding from the Clothworkers’ Foundation and other groups, to refurbish a building adjoining its homeless hostel in Ellasdale Road for the hub. The work was completed and the turn of the new year and since then, it has hosted sessions by partners including the GP from Bersted Green; the substance misuse support charity Change, Grow, Live; narcotics anonymous; alcoholics anonymous and others. Hilary Bartle, the chief executive of Stonepillow, said the hub was specially tailored for people who struggle to engage with ordinary services in the community. Many homeless people will not use healthcare services for a variety of reasons, such as fear of stigma or previous bad experiences. She said one of the best things about the new hub was the environment itself. “It’s so positive – it’s welcoming, it’s clean, it’s fresh,” she said. “Our clients really welcome that. Sometimes their self esteem is very low and they are often treated quite poorly because of their conditions. To be welcomed and treated nicely is really conducive to building that self confidence that is essential.” The hub also has an IT suite, which was provided by the Rotary Club of Bognor Hotham and Rotary Club of Bognor, which people can use to apply for jobs and other practical uses. Guests gathered to watch as the hub was officially opened on Monday by Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, the chief fire officer of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, who has a history of rough sleeping herself. She said in a post on Twitter: “It was an absolute privilege to open the new Stonepillow Resource Hub in Bognor Regis. Thank you for making a difference to people experiencing homelessness. I can’t wait to hear about the lives that I know you’re going change.”