Community Hub Campus Refurbishment

Aim: To bring our Community Hub Campus to life, we are seeking to raise £500,000 from the community, which will be match funded by a donor

THE VISION

Imagine walking in on a Tuesday morning. The aroma of fresh coffee drifts from a bright, buzzing café where older residents swap stories with trainees who have learning disabilities as they master barista skills. Laughter floats around the corridor to a large, open flexible space; at 10 a.m. it hosts “Move to the Groove,” a gentle dance session for older people who live in isolation. By lunchtime the space has transformed: the floor mats are away, easels stand ready, and a group of young adults with learning disabilities begin a bold mural that will eventually cover an entire wall.

On the opposite side of the corridor, another space hums with activity. Here, people living with dementia take part in a virtual reality session, donning headsets that transport them to familiar scenes from the past—music halls, seaside strolls, bustling markets - offering comfort in the face of uncertainty. Tucked beside it is a decompression space: a softly lit sanctuary with gentle sensory equipment, ready to soothe when the world feels overwhelming.

Connecting all the spaces is a sun-drenched garden, alive with colour and purpose. Raised beds brim with herbs and flowers, designed so everyone - regardless of ability - can join in the joy of planting and growing. An 82-year-old man and a 16-year-old wheelchair user lean in together, carefully snipping sprigs of lavender for an art project they’re co-creating. Nearby, a young girl with learning disabilities beams with pride as she gently waters the blossoms she planted just moments ago. All are surprised by how quickly strangers can feel like friends when their hands are in the soil together. 

That is the future we see for the Guild Care Community Hub: labels left at the door, boxes discarded, people meeting as neighbours first and service users second.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?

When Guild Care seized the chance to buy Saxon House last December, we did something daring: we started to sell off scattered, ageing premises and we stepped away from housing provision so that our community hub campus - right in the heart of Worthing - could become everyone’s front door to care and connection. 

The bricks are paid for; what remains is to breathe life into the shell and open it to the community.

To bring our vision of the Community Hub Campus to life, we are seeking to raise £1,500,000 for phase 2 of the project. This vital funding will enable us to deliver the essential services that the Worthing community urgently needs and truly deserves.

We will be seeking to raise £500,000 from the community which our patron and friend Mike Holland has agreed to match with a further £500,000. Guild Care will be further contributing £500,000 from the disposal of properties. Every contribution - no matter the size - brings us one step closer to making this vision a reality.

If you're looking for something meaningful to support this year and want to help make our community a better place for everyone, we invite you to get involved and show your support.

Join us in making Worthing a model community in the fight against social isolation and stigma. With your support, we can take a significant step toward achieving lasting change.

WHY IS THIS THE RIGHT THING TO DO?

Right now, in Worthing, more than 3,000 older people are living in heart-breaking isolation. Many will go days - even weeks or months - without speaking to a single soul. For some, the only human contact they have is with the postman.

We are launching a transformative new initiative - a vibrant, welcoming community hub campus designed to reconnect older people with the world around them. A place where friendships are formed, support is found, and lives are truly lived.

This isn’t just about companionship - it’s about health, dignity, and independence. When older people are connected, they’re less likely to need emergency GP visits, hospital stays, or crisis interventions. This hub will be the heart of a healthier, more compassionate Worthing.

By completing the project, and making the most effective use of both Methold House and Holland House, we’ll increase our service space by over 300%, providing modern, accessible homes for Guild Care’s vital core services. 

THE DREAM

We dream of a Worthing where every individual - young or old - feels truly welcomed, valued, and free from stigma. A town where no one faces isolation, and everyone has a place to belong. 

Our vision is to meet the growing needs of our community by offering a service like no other - one that brings people together, fosters connection, and builds resilience. 

The Community Hub Campus will be that place: a warm, safe space where everyone who walks through the door finds support, friendship, and a sense of home.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 24th September 2025 at 9:17am