+ est. £75.25
Our aim is to provide a warm space with refreshments, activities, support and advice for those in need within Hartlepool community.
by ORB Community Hub in Hartlepool, United Kingdom
Our longer term aspirations are to develop the warm space into a permanent hospitality area with cafe facilities. The ORB Hub will become a lighthouse of hope and help in the heart of our community. This will become a possibility through the generous giving of our crowdfunders and partner patrons.
We are a Community Hub run by Oxford Road Baptist Church in Hartlepool. The Hub is situated in one of the most deprived areas of Hartlepool, which is itself one of the UK's most impoverished towns. Our mission is to help those in need within our local community, particularly those experiencing financial hardship and food poverty.
Situated at the corner of Oxford Road and Caledonian Road, the hub exists to serve the Foggy Furze, Burn Valley and Rift House areas of Hartlepool. These are among the most socially deprived parts of our town. We aim to provide a warm, safe space where local people, irrespective of age, social and cultural background, can meet in a comfortable, welcoming environment, and enjoy a hot drink and snack. The ORB’s volunteer staff are on hand to help visitors in any way we can - from a listening ear to a shoulder to cry on. The hub also offers services such as help with form filling, job applications, CV construction and free computer / Wi-Fi access to help visitors improve their employment prospects. We also offer leisure activities such as a craft group which is open to all, games sessions, film nights and other social activities to help those experiencing stress and isolation.
Providing a warm space requires significant resources above and beyond that which the church is able to provide from its own day-to-day funds, particularly in light of recent significant rise in energy costs. Without financial assistance the costs of providing a warm space will be prohibitive. Similarly, the project requires the acquisition of additional catering equipment and supplies over and above the centre's existing needs.
Energy costs these days aren't cheap! We will spend the gifted funding on additional central heating provision in the Orb Centre (16 hours per week) and on electricity for supplementary heating and catering. We will also be purchasing catering equipment and supplies for provision of coffee, tea, soup and snacks for our visitors.