Welcome to the HUG Summer Newsletter for 2026
Hello everyone, welcome to the HUG Summer Newsletter. Way back in June 2026 when we sent out the New Year Newsletter, we mentioned that the new kitchen units for the HUG kitchen had just arrived. Well, they are now fitted and have made such an enormous difference to our lovely cooks, volunteers and guests, who all love the new look of our HUG kitchen.
As you can see from the photos, we have also been donated a new diswasher. This was donated by Howdens and plumbed in for free by a very kind plumber called Dale Saunders. We would also like to thank The Beatrice Laing Trust and The Sussex Community Foundation for the grants that made our new kitchen possible and to HUG volunteer Charles who contacted Howdens on HUG's behalf.
As I am writing the HUG Summer newsletter, the temperature outside is currently 26*c and rising. This takes be back to Friday 27th February, when it was cold and HUG held The Big Sleep in, at St. Barnabas Church to raise awareness for Homelessness and to show solidarity with the homeless people in and around Bexhill.
The Big Sleep-IN
It was on Friday, 27th February that this event finally happened. It was not as big as we had hoped, but nevertheless those who did attend were fully engaged and felt it to be a worthwhile project.
We are grateful to our MP Kieran Mullen for his attendance, along with town Cllrs Gareth Delaney and Memish Huseyin, the then deputy mayor, now mayor of Bexhill. Thanks guys.
After a not too comfortable night on floor alongside HUG guests and volunteers, there was the opportunity over breakfast to discuss the issues around homelessness, what it might be worth trying, what clearly does not work, and where the stumbling blocks are. It is a huge issue, and everyone recognises there is no easy fix.
However, with the recent decriminalisation of vagrancy, preventing homeless people from being moved on, local councils are now under a greater pressure to produce a solution. It is a comfort to know that our new prime minister, Andy Burnham is pledging more social housing, but this will take time to come to fruition, and amongst other things we discussed revisiting the idea of pods, as well as looking at the pros and cons of HMOs.
In the meantime, there are people living in temporary accommodation, sub-standard accommodation, sleeping in cars, vans, or doorways, which is not acceptable. HUG can only offer comfort and support to people who find themselves in this unenviable position. It often seems far too little, what's the point? but we have an increasing number of people finding their way to our door and all the time the need is there, we will do our best to be there for them.
To do this we need money, which is a huge challenge, and we want to publicly thank Barbara who was sponsored by the parishioners of her church, All Saints Sidley and raised a staggering £1000 for HUG funds, quite amazing! Thank you, Barbara.
Barbara has prompted me lay down a challenge, especially to the clergy, would you be prepared to be sponsored by your parishioners next time and raise vital funds to enable us to continue our work?
Watch this space for the dates !
On Saturday 28th, February 2026 Pauline was interviewed by Alison Ferns, from BBC Sussex radio about how well the sleep-in event had gone and to further help raise awareness of the homelessness issue with the public. One of our amazing volunteers, Ben Gibson also ran the Eastbourne half marathon on the Sunday with all donations going to HUG.
Extraordinary Achievers Charity Award 2026
As. we all know our Pauline is never one to take things easy, so on 7th March, 2026 Pauline, Brett and Bell attended the Extraordinary Achievers Charity award in London. These we hosted by Dr. Lady Waynett Peters. Both Pauline and Brett had won awards. Pauline for HUG and her work with helping the homelessness and Brett for his work in Bexhill community.
Photo 1, Pauline receiving her award
Photo 2, Brett, Bell and Pauline at the awards ceremony
A brief overview of what's happening with our HUG Guests.
HUG GUESTS R.I.P.
This year we sadly said goodbye to Kathleen who died in early May, after many years of fighting cancer.
Last week we learnt of the death of Chris, we are awaiting the results of an autopsy. Our love and thoughts go to his Mum and brothers. Chris is the 11th member of our HUG family who are no longer with us. Far too many.
Another one of our HUG guests ended up in hospital with a heart attack. Thankfully, he has made a full recovery and is back to his cheeky self. He is now back at HUG, trying to charm the volunteers into letting him have extra cake.
We currently have two other guests in hospital, and we miss them and support them as much as we can with cards and visits.
No matter how hard you try and keep some emotional distance, you would have to be a very hard person not to care and to share the highs and lows of our guest's lives which is why being surrounded by our amazing volunteers helps us, as we all go through it together.
On a happier note, Pauline and Brett were incredibly happy when one of our guest's was finally offered a home in Lewis. M and her son have now moved to a lovely two-bedroom flat. and are currently decorating the flat and starting to build a new and better life for themselves. M has been homeless or in temporary accommodation for over two years.
Photo of M's bedroom in her new flat. She is gradually getting items together for her new home. HUG has donated items to get her started and we do have some money that has been set aside for M, to help towards carpets when she is ready.
We are also delighted to hear that another one of our HUG guests, a gentleman, has been offered a flat in Rye. This will be his permanent home. He moved in last week, once again he had to wait for over two years for this opportunity.
Photo of A's new bed in his flat. This bed was bought by HUG. A is happily working on building a new life in Rye.
When people are offered accommodation, it is usually just a shell with no flooring, kitchen appliances or furniture. This can seem very daunting but with our help and the help of Warming Up the Homeless, we can usually cobble together the basics to get them by.
With private rents continuing to rise to around £700 plus a month for a studio flat in the East Sussex area and upwards of £850 a month for a one-bedroom flat in the East Sussex & Rother area, for most of the people including our guests who are on Benefits or low-paying jobs, it is not affordable.
Let's get councils building social housing again
We are at a critical moment
to tackle homelessness in our country. With the Labour leadership election underway and a new Prime Minister soon to be appointed, we have a real chance to make building social homes a top priority for our government.
Thousands of people have already signed the petition calling for more decent, affordable social housing - and the more of us who stand together, the harder our voice will be to ignore.
Building more social homes means fewer families facing homelessness, more people having a safe place to call their own, and stronger communities for everyone.
Please sign and share this petition - let's make sure building social homes is the first thing our new government commits to.
THE VAGRANCY ACT 1824 - FINALLY REPEALED!
Repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 - a major step forward
For over 200 years, this outdated law made sleeping rough or asking for help a crime - punishing people simply because they had no safe place to live.
Now, after years of hard campaigning - by people with lived experience, supporters, charities including Crisis, Shelter, St Mungo's and many partners, plus MPs and peers - it has been repealed and belongs in history books at last.
This is such an important and hopeful change:
- No longer treated as criminals just for being homeless
- Replacing punishment with support and care
- Recognition that homelessness is not a crime.
From all of us at HUG:
This victory belongs also to the volunteers, supporters and everyone we walk alongside. We see every day how people come to need help, and how kindness and practical support really change lives.
Repealing this Act is a wonderful step forward - but there is still more work to do. HUG will keep standing beside people affected, offering friendship, supplies and information, and working towards proper homes and fair treatment for everyone.
No-one should ever be punished just because they have nowhere safe to sleep.
Community Spirit Knows No Bounds
Recognising One of Our Own, Jamie Hancock
We are incredibly proud to celebrate Jamie Hancock, a regular guest at HUG and a recent recipient of the Mayor's Civic Award 2025/2026.
This award recognizes Jamie's outstanding contribution to the community of Bexhill-on-Sea.
Jamie's story is a powerful reminder that everyone has something valuable to give, regardless of their circumstances.
Congratulations, Jamie, on this well-deserved honor!
It is a privilege to support Jamie, and an even greater honor to call him a member of our community. His dedication reminds us all that we can each play a part in making our town a better place to live.
A Sweet Gesture of Kindness
At HUG, our mission is built around the support we provide to the homeless community, serving hot meals three daya a week while providing a safe place.
This Easter season was made significantly brighter thanks to the incredible thoughtfulness of the Bexhill & Battle Foodbank. Their donation of chocolate Easter eggs provided more than just a treat; it offered a sense of belonging and celebration to those who often feel overlooked.
Seeing the genuine delight on everyone's faces as they received their eggs was a powerful reminder of how much compassion exists in our local community. We are deeply grateful for the Foodbank's commitment to making sure no one in our care was forgotten during the Easter holiday.
🐣 🍫
Thank you, HUG ❤️
Thank You to Howdens Kitchens
Building a Strong Community
The Homeless Unity Group (HUG) would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Howdens Kitchen Designs for the incredibly generous donation of our new kitchen cabinets. This contribution has completely transformed our space, providing a professional and efficient environment for our volunteers. We are proud to have the support of a business that truly cares about making a local impact.
Thank you Howdens, for being such a vital part of the HUG family!
A Special Note of Appreciation
We would also like to say a massive thank you to Carey Goubert, for his hard work in installing our beautiful new cabinets. Carey’s dedication goes far beyond this installation; he does so much for HUG, and we are incredibly grateful for his ongoing time, skill, and the heart he puts into everything he does for us.
We couldn't do it without you, Carey! ❤️
A Huge Thank You to Dale Saunders!
We are thrilled to have our new dishwasher up and running! A massive thank you to Dale Saunders, who kindly fitted the appliance and donated his professional services entirely for free.
Dale's generosity helps us keep our kitchen efficient, ensuring we can focus on what we do best, serving hot meals to our homeless community.
Thank you Dale, for being a true friend to HUG!
A Heartfelt Thank You to the Sussex Community Foundation
We are overwhelmed with gratitude to share some wonderful news. We have recently received a grant from the David & Karen Allam Fund at Sussex Community Foundation, providing a vital boost to our mission. This support allows us to move forward with the heart of our charity, our new kitchen. For the guest we serve, this kitchen is so much more than a place where food is prepared, it is a source of dignity, warmth and hope.
With this new installation, our dedicated volunteers can now prepare nutritious meals more efficiently and safely. Every bit of support we receive goes directly into the care and comfort we provide to the most vulnerable members of our community.
To the David & Karen Allam Fund in the Sussex Community Foundation: thank you for your wonderful support and for believing in the work we do it HUG. Your kindness is served with every warm meal we share.
With deepest thanks,
HUG ❤️
Community Kindness
A Massive Thank You to Chris and Sarah
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Winter Heroes: Chris and Sarah
As the winter months come to a close, everyone here at HUG Bexhill wants to extend a massive thank you to two very special members of our community: Chris and Sarah.
Throughout the coldest parts of the year, Chris and Sarah dedicated one Saturday every month to providing our guest with a delicious, nutritious hot meal. Their consistency and kindness brought more than just food to our table; they brought warmth, comfort, and a sense of community to those in Bexhill who needed it most.
By stepping up during the toughest months of the year, they have been a vital lifeline, nourishing both bodies and spirit. We are incredibly grateful for your time, your generosity, and your big hearts.
We couldn’t do what we do without amazing people like you!
Happy Birthday to the heart of HUG, Pauline! 🎂🎁❤️
Today, the HUG family is bursting with joy as we celebrate our incredible leader, Pauline. She is the one who guides are mission forward every single day and we couldn’t do any of this without her steady hand and her compassionate heart.
Because Pauline is famously “not a cake person,” we celebrate her in true HUG style, with birthday bananas and candles, beautiful flowers and some special little gifts to show our deep appreciation.
Pauline, you spend your life looking after the vulnerable and making sure everyone has a “hug” when they need it. Today it was our absolute pleasure to look after you.
Thank you for your dedication and for being the light that guides the HUG homelessness charity. We hope your day is as wonderful as the impact you make on other.
Happy Birthday x
Extraordinary Achievers Award 2026
HUGs Project Manager Pauline Goubert Honoured with Extraordinary Achievers Award 2026
We are thrilled to announce that on Saturday, March 7th, our very own Project Manager, Pauline Goubert, was named a winner at the 2026 Extraordinary Achievers Awards. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who demonstrate an unwavering dedication to service, profound compassion, and a significant social impact within their communities. It is a particular proud moment for us, as the ceremony highlights the vital contributions made but those working within the small charity sector.
Pauline has been the driving force behind our mission to support the homeless community. Her leadership goes far beyond project management, as she brings a personal touch of kindness and resilience to everything she does. Whether she is coordinating essential services or offering a listening ear to those need, Pauline embodies the spirit of our charity.
This recognition is a testament to her hard work and the heart she puts into her role every single day. Please join us in congratulating Pauline on this well-deserved honour!
Sleep In at St Barnabas Church 2026
Bexhill MP joins volunteers and councillors for charity “Sleep In at St Barnabas Church”
Bexhill and Battle MP Dr. Kieran Mullan joined supporters of the Bexhill and Rother Homelessness Unity Group (HUG) for a “Sleep In” at St Barnabas Church in Sea Road, Bexhill on Friday 27th February 2026.
Bexhill‘s Deputy Mayor Memish Huseyin and Rother District Councillor Gareth Delaney also braved the cold and spent the night on the church floor.
HUG is a local charity that supports people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or vulnerably housed. Run from St Barnabas Church, the charity offers food, hot drinks, showers and laundry facilities, providing a safe place for people to rest and connect and socialise in a non-judgemental environment.
The ”Sleep In” saw HUG volunteers, trustees and those with lived experienced of homelessness spend the night at St. Barnabas Church, to show solidarity with those who have experienced homelessness and to raise awareness of the issue in the local area.
The event also created an opportunity for those staying overnight to have honest discussions about housing issues and homelessness locally and to consider possible solutions together.
HUG Project Manager Pauline Goubert said, “The ‘Sleep In’ brought our community together in a powerful show of solidarity, changing the myths and stereotypes that so often surround homelessness. Many of the people we support are now losing their homes because of the rising cost of living, with increasing numbers of pensioners and disabled people struggling to keep up. ‘The Sleep In’ also gave us the space to have honest conversations about how we shift the dial and pushed for real solutions. The shortage of affordable housing locally and the mismatch between housing benefits and actual rental cost are leaving far too many people at risk. Homelessness is too big for any one person or organisation, but by bringing people from different backgrounds together and actually listening to each other, we can create solutions that truly change lives.”
Dr. Kieran Mullan said, ”There are rarely quick fixes to the challenges of homelessness and the support offered through a wide variety of public sectors and voluntary organisations recognise that individuals experiencing homelessness often have some very complex issues. There are always challenges to decide how taxpayers money should be spent but whatever view people hold about the cause and solutions, I have always felt as an MP, I should hear from and think about people living in some of the most difficult circumstances in my constituency. In addition, it is always important to recognise the work of individuals who spend their time and effort in helping others. I am grateful to all the volunteers at HUG and other local homelessness charities in the constituency for all that they do.”
Cllr Gareth Delaney said, “ Homelessness it’s not an abstract issue. It is happening in our streets and our town, and tackling it requires all of us - councils, charities, communities - working together. HUG is an outstanding example of what compassionate, community led action looks like in practice.”