Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, recently paid a visit to support the Community Hub, based at the Megacentre on the Brook Road industrial estate in Rayleigh.

The Community Hub, which was established to provide community support during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, is the only one of its kind still operating in Essex, despite the County now emerging from the Lockdown. The Community Hub brings together a variety of public, private and voluntary sector organisations, which can enhance their effectiveness by operating collectively under one roof. 

The Community Hub was set up in 2020 with support from Rochford District Council, a number of local voluntary groups including the Active Christian Trust (ACT) who own the Megacentre and also several local churches, including Holy Trinity, Rayleigh and Rayleigh Baptist Church. The Hub is led by Scott Williamson, the former pastor at Rayleigh Baptist Church.

The Hub provides a meeting point for a number of local organisations, as well as outreach services, such as helping to co-ordinate food deliveries for people in particular need across both the wider Castle Point and Rochford Districts. It is hoped that the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) may also be able to lay on a number of services from the Hub in the future. Speaking about his visit to this important community resource Mark Francois said:

“I was very pleased to visit the Community Hub and see the good work which they are undertaking on behalf of local residents for myself. The Hub, which was born of adversity during the pandemic, is now evolving into a “one stop shop” for local people needing help and advice and as such is a valuable asset. I wish Scott and all his team at the Hub all the very best for the future.”