Stories
The heart of The Hub is the people who use it. Here’s what they have to say.
Feedback for the Hub
Kind words from our friends
MB: The terrifying prospect of homelessness hovered over my family for two years. When the Hub was formed I went in and broke down. It was stressful and upsetting time for the whole family and I was then stuck in a horrible system. I felt desperate and alone. Milly came and advocated for me with estate agents. She drafted supportive emails, she also arranged for me to meet a Homeless Prevention Officer at The Hub so I didn’t have to travel to see one. The Hub also had outreach workers working from Homepoint in their space.
I had been unable to complete my application as the computer systems were defunct and no one was answering the helpline. By being at The Hub the Homepoint Manager sorted all this for me in person. I could never have got that appointment alone. I feel despite me being in tears constantly she was able to see the real life implications their system has on people . The Hub is making services accountable. The Hub had contacts and resources I was unaware existed. I had people to talk to and even text when I was struggling. It was a frightening time but I always had a warm welcome plus delicious cake! Each week gave me a feeling of being supported and noticed and that my circumstances mattered when the system often forgets you when you’re just a statistic.
I am now about to move into a home to rent and my family have a safe secure space. When you don’t have a stable home nothing else truly works. I also now have a volunteer job.
The help The Hub gave me was phenomenal. It’s a wonderful community space with great networks and resources – but mainly at its core is a genuine heart.
KE: A massive massive thank you to you all, I was in a really sticky situation regarding my son starting school and needing to go through the process of appeals. I reached out to Milly who helped massively and put me in contact with Annie who was phenomenal and helped me with absolutely everything, even taking time out of her day to attend the appeals meeting with me, the knowledge and help I received was absolutely amazing and turned a stressful situation into quite a easy and almost stress-free situation and ultimately helped get my son into school within days of the appeal so thank you so much!!
CS: @The Hub has helped the young people I work with to write CV’s and look for work and apprenticeships in and around Ross-on-Wye.
RF: Since returning to Ross, Milly and The Hub have helped me in many ways. From breakfast & dinner, shower use, help with housing problems, and just having a safe comfortable place to go. Not only that but I was granted funding to buy a bicycle to get around through one of the other organisations they work with, and Milly herself even played a massive part in my late mother’s wake in October. Can’t be more thankful to her and everybody else involved.
RC: You helped me from the beginning and even though I haven’t been to The Hub for a few months, your advice will stay with me always, thank you Milly.
“The Hub was fundamental in helping me avoid being deemed intentionally homeless by the Council. They offered great support when I was in dire straits and continue to support me while I secure social housing. A vital service, much needed in our community.”
HL
Roy’s Story, In his own words
My struggles began in childhood. I was openly told I was not wanted and was brutally beaten daily, I was in and out of hospital regularly from a young age. When I was finally able to leave home I struggled to hold down a job for any real length of time and was never able to see any positives as to my future and the path ahead.
I have struggled for years with what happened to me. I’ve made several attempts in the past to take my own life. Little help was available at that time so I was left to face the demons on my own, suffering with anxiety, depression whilst trying to keep a job and a roof over my head.
These feelings of not being wanted, not being good enough, regardless of what age you are, and how many years in the past those things happened, never really leaves you.
When I met Susie and Milly they helped me with making a CV which led to me securing a job I love. They offered me friendship which made me feel more accepted, I felt comfortable just being Roy for the first time in a long time. My confidence began to grow and continues to grow to this day.
Roy's confidence continues to grow to this day
“It’s been 2 years now and I can promise you this, I would not be where I am now without the continued friendship from Milly and Warm Welcome.”
Anonymous: I am sincerely thankful to @The Hub for assisting, out of hours, a family member suffering domestic abuse.
Anonymous: @The Hub helped me with an issue with my child’s school. Without them, it wouldn’t have been resolved.
CK: I would like to thank you all for the help and support during my husbands left knee replacement and health issues. From the help with the paperwork, availability of your shower as we do not have one at home and he could not get in a bath, most of all the moral support given. It was a very hard time as he had also been made redundant, so I only had my wage coming in and was worried we would not manage. But Milly and the team pointed us in the right direction from the use of the food bank to help with electricity. All the while, finding out I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea, but Milly and the team put my mind at rest just by being able to talk to them about any issues we were having. He is recovering well and is due to go in again for his right knee replacement around the beginning of March. But I know that if there are any difficulties again Milly and the team will be there for us.
Thank you so much for everything. I don’t know what we would have done without you.
PW: The Hub is a fantastic place to visit and also very friendly staff and visitors too. Please don’t worry about being shy there’s always someone in the same mind so come and join in or lend a hand.
SD: As I’ve become a regular visitor to @The Hub and have known a few faces a while then sharing my hip replacement journey with them and getting lots of encouragement and have donated hand made items to be put to a good cause. Well done Milly Boylan and the crew.
SG: I’ve had a stroke, I went to @The Hub and the people were lovely, I had a coffee and they made me feel welcome, great place to come whether you’re poor or rich the people were great.
MS: @The Hub helped us as a family when we had just been through the worst time, it is an amazing space to get out of your head and talk and just feel better even for a few hours. They also helped my daughter get the means so she could be home schooled after years of being bullied. I loved cooking for everyone and watching how much support and also food is provided for all!!! I’ve never seen anything like it in our town. Milly has a heart of gold, we are very grateful.
“The Hub is a great place if you’re wanting to get to know a few people in the local area. There’s no pressure, it’s a very warm and welcoming place to visit. You see the same people there every week which is very nice. It feels like a community. I visit because I didn’t know many people in Ross on Wye but now I feel as though I know a few people. What a lovely bunch of people. You couldn’t ask for nicer folks.”
HG
Terry’s Story, In his own words
When I first came back to the UK a few years ago, the Hub was running one day a week. Now it’s fantastic, I’ve got somewhere to go 5 days a week so I’m not sitting stewing over my problems. I started coming to The Hub because I was homeless, lonely, miserable and had no friends at all. Now I have mega friends that have all come from The Hub, and my own flat. Everyone is warm and inviting and I get all the help in the world. Its really beautiful. Without the help they have given me, I wouldn’t be here today and that’s a fact.
Floyd’s Story, In his own words
I was made homeless by a family member and ended up sleeping in a park in Hereford. I met Steve from Housing, and he brought me to a place to live in Ross. The first place they took me was to The Hub. I met The Hub Angels – they are absolutely lovely and help so many people. I come to The Hub nearly every day, because you meet people here that care about everyone. It’s like a family. It must come from The Hub Angels… it breeds!
Terry enjoying a game of pool with Les
“Everyone is warm and inviting and I get all the help in the world. Its really beautiful. Without the help they have given me, I wouldn’t be here today and that’s a fact.”
Need Support? Get in Touch!
If you’re facing challenges with housing, health, or financial issues, remember you’re not alone. @the HUB is here to provide the help you need. Reach out to us for confidential advice and support in a safe and welcoming environment.
