Seaview – The charity that makes you feel like a somebody not a nobody

This weekend I’ll be sleeping ‘rough’ well by my standards anyway; by the standards of those who are forced to sleep outside on a regular basis my billet will be cosy, organised and most importantly secure.

The last time I took part in The Big Sleep in aid of Seaview was back in 2019 and I recall waking up in the early hours and in the distance I could hear some boisterous youngsters just out of a party or a nightclub. Even in our security protected compound I felt apprehensive and it made me wonder how vulnerable genuine rough sleepers feel, especially young women, when they hear a rowdy crowd heading in their direction in the middle of the night.

Stuart’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

I wrote my first stories about Seaview shortly after I launched the Hastings In Focus website and was just bowled over by the commitment of everyone involved.

In this podcast I went out with the early morning outreach team as it checks up on the town’s rough sleepers. Then I chatted with the ‘service users’ the men and women for whom Seaview provides food, shelter during the day, somewhere to wash and somewhere to get advice and guidance, the men and women for who Seaview is quite simply a lifeline.

One man tells me that in his mid-40s he knows having a family is ‘out the window’ but still yearns for a normal life and a partner but as a homeless person it’s hard to find work, hard to take those first steps that would get him off the streets.

And it’s getting harder. You’ll hear about the difficulties for those living rough to get themselves in to accommodation. The allowance they receive to pay their rent doesn’t cover what the market now demands for even the smallest of properties.

On it’s website Seaview says this: “This year, we are celebrating 40 years of supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community. From much smaller beginnings, back in 1985 in a church hall on London Road, we now support over 1,000 individuals every year providing them with food, comfort and companionship. Our range of services work in a true spirit of support and collaboration to make a holistic experience for everyone who uses our services.

“We are incredibly proud of how far we have come and what we have achieved in the last 40 years. The progress and impact we have had on our community and the lives of those who use our services has been outstanding. Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers both past and present have worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone receives a warm, non-judgmental welcome from Seaview.

Stuart’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

“Looking to the future, we remain committed to adapting to the changing needs of our clients and community, exploring new ways to reach and support even more people in need. It is a true testament to the strength of our community that we have come this far, and together, we can continue to make a difference. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey so far, here’s to another 40 years of compassion, resilience and hope.”

I’ve enjoyed playing my very small part in the Seaview story and in coming weeks, as the charity marks 40 years of service I’ll be pulling back the curtain a little further on the amazing work that goes on there.

For more great writing and podcasts sign up to my Substack

https://stuartbaillie.substack.com