Hundreds contact Hastings community hub in need of support

The community hub is a partnership between voluntary groups in the town, the NHS, Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council dedicated to helping those in need during the coronavirus outbreak.

As of Monday (April 20), 640 people have contacted the hub in need of support, just four weeks after it was launched.

Kim Forward, leader of Hastings Borough Council said: “During this very difficult time we are determined to do our best to support those in need. Many referrals have been made through our hub to those organisations mentioned below and to our Housing Options team and East Sussex County Council. We have also signposted many people to other services as well such as CA1066 and HEART (Hastings Emergency Action Response Team).

“We are very thankful to all those involved with the community hub service and the effort they have put in to provide support for as many members of the community as possible.”

According to the council, the hub has contacted most people and referred some of them to the organisations which can provide support they need.

In the first two weeks of April there were 147 food bank referrals, as well as 73 referrals to NHS volunteers and 16 referrals to Hastings Voluntary Action, the council added.

If you are urgently in need in need can contact the hub on 01424 451019. People have been asked to only call if they need support within 48 hours, to make sure those most in need can get support as soon as possible.