Community Hubs
Safe spaces at the heart of our services
Do you need support?
If you’re experiencing homelessness, are at risk of losing your home, rough sleeping or living in insecure housing, you’re welcome to visit our Community Hubs. They’re safe, non-judgmental spaces where you can access essential facilities and support.
St Clare’s Hub
A busy frontline service in Worthing, it serves as a central hub for Turning Tides’ teams and partner organisations for a true ‘one-stop’ approach. The hub also fosters creativity and community connection, hosting a regular art group and taking part in the annual Worthing Art Trail.
Littlehampton Community Hub
A welcoming, fully accessible space in the centre of town. It brings together Turning Tides’ teams alongside health services, outreach workers and the local authority’s rough sleeper team. The hub is vibrant and buzzy, hosting social activities like Wellbeing Wednesdays, a flourishing garden and a green-fingered team called Grow Club.
What do our Community Hubs offer?
Hot breakfast or cold food
Toilets and showers
Laundry facilities
Sleeping bags, tents and protective gear
Wifi and charging points
Our Community Hubs are often the very first point of contact for people experiencing homelessness. They offer essential facilities to help people get through the day: hot meals, toilets and showers, laundry facilities, clothing and weather protection and Wifi. Both hubs are accredited with the StreetVet Hostel Scheme, meaning we can safely support clients’ dogs with essentials like food and water.
Beyond meeting immediate needs, the hubs bring together a variety of services under one roof, making it easier for people to access the help they need. This can include housing advice, health drop-ins, skills and employment coaching, support with digital skills or access to the Substance Use team who are based at the hubs. In partnership with CGL, we run a needle exchange programme, with trained staff providing clean equipment and conversations around harm minimisation. The hubs host our Wellbeing Liaison team, offering counselling and advice. We strongly believe in breaking down barriers to accessing support.
The hubs also offer group activities, social opportunities and skills-building workshops, helping people rebuild confidence, strengthen their networks and reconnect with the wider community. Whether through art, gardening, cooking or simply a cup of tea, these moments of social enrichment play a vital role in moving on from homelessness.
In short, there are two purposes to our Community Hubs: meeting urgent needs in times of crisis, while also nurturing longer-term wellbeing. They’re a crucial pathway into all of our services.
We’re welcoming new funding opportunities for our Community Hubs service. Read on to discover how they work and the difference they make.
Who our hubs support
Our hubs are open to people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping or insecure housing. Eligibility is guided by housing legislation, including local connection rules.
The hubs work closely with outreach teams to verify rough sleeping but we also operate on a trust-first basis. Access periods vary widely, with some people using the hubs for a few weeks, others for years – and there’s no time limit on support.
For new visitors, our staff and volunteers focus on first contact: collecting initial information, discussing options and beginning tailored support. This approach makes sure each person receives the most effective help possible from their very first visit.
Ensuring a safe and welcoming space
Our Community Hubs operate an open-door policy, setting them apart from other services that require sign-ups or referrals. They’re designed to be non-judgmental and inclusive, with minimal expectations for visitors: the only request is for people to treat others with respect.
Safety is central to the running of the hubs. Experienced staff and volunteers deliver services professionally, with robust safeguarding procedures in place. Consent forms ensure clarity around how information may be shared with partner organisations, and regular multi-agency meetings allow for appropriate checks and oversight.
How our hubs are made possible
Unlike accommodation services that generate income through rent, our Community Hubs rely entirely on the generosity of others. Without external funding, donations and fundraising, the hubs couldn’t exist.
Our work is supported by a combination of:
- National Lottery grants – our largest funding source
- Local authority funding – awarded annually through the Rough Sleepers Fund
- Donations from individuals and organisations
We also depend on gifted goods – from food and clothing to sleeping bags and tents – as well as the dedication of volunteers who help in kitchens and other roles that keep the hubs running smoothly.
Safety is central to the running of the hubs. Experienced staff and volunteers deliver services professionally, with robust safeguarding procedures in place. Consent forms ensure clarity around how information may be shared with partner organisations, and regular multi-agency meetings allow for appropriate checks and oversight.