After months of planning and preparation the Harrogate Hub, a joint church project to support those who are lonely or needing help and advice has been launched in the town.
The Harrogate Hub was opened at the weekend with the Bishop of Ripon, James Bell and other church leaders visiting the new town centre premises, 39 Oxford Street .
The project aims to bring the Christian church community together and reach out to people of faith or no faith, who are feeling lonely or socially isolated. It will offer help, advice and a friendly word to anyone who calls in.
The initiative is currently looking for more volunteers from churches across the district. Director of the Hub, Jo-Ann Hughes (pictured left with Bishop James Bell) , said: “We are very excited to be working with public services and other charities in addressing the issues of our community.
“The Hub is a safe place for a heartfelt welcome, a warm smile, stories to be shared, burdens to be halved, and time to be given. No one should be left out, no one isolated or lonely. The church in Harrogate is simply seeking to love its neighbour.”
The Hub is open on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 2pm-4pm. It will take a year for the project to be fully operational as the Hub recruits more volunteer pastoral carers enabling it to open its doors for longer.
To find out more about the Hub’s support, or how to become a volunteer, visit their website: www.theharrogatehub.org or call 01423 369393.