Our History

Havens Community Hub was founded by Paula Woolven.

After a long career in the charity sector, life presented Paula with an opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream of starting her own community charity. Paula identified a discrepancy between the services available in the cities of Brighton and Eastbourne, and her local community. The Havens Community Hub was set up to find solutions to community needs in those areas.

The first project was setting up the hugely successful Havens Community Cars, a volunteer car service helping members of the community with their transport needs.

This was followed by Happy Clubs, social clubs for older members of the community, providing a safe, friendly, stimulating and engaging environment.

Both Cars and Happy Clubs have now grown to be devolved into their own self contained charities.

Next was Havens Food Co-operative a food waste prevention service that rescues tons of food from supermarkets and other providers each week that would otherwise go to landfill. This food is distributed to people in the community providing vital support to individuals and group who find themselves food insecure. Whilst reducing the significant environmental impact of food waste.

In 2023 Havens Community Hub launched one of their most ambitious projects yet. Having been awarded funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the team have set up a project supporting community outcomes, whilst also providing services for the local business community. Based in Telscombe Civic Centre the project provides free room hire, and hot desking, put on community workshops, and offers crucial support to local charities and community groups. The project has big plans for the future including charity MOT’s, and Project 365 (a volunteering scheme aimed at maximising participation throughout the year).

We will find a way or we will make away.