Stories
Over 700 hundred people a year benefit from the wide range of services available at The Whitehawk Inn. Here are the stories of just a few of them.
Madeleine's story
After picking up a brochure, I discovered a place I could go to that was offering a wide variety of courses and activities, also available at a reduced cost for those on benefits, At the time I had been diagnosed for the second time with ME (also known as Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome). This had a major impact on my life as I had to stop dance teaching and physical activity had come to a standstill.
Frustrated, lonely, angry and upset, I was looking for something to keep me sane. After little help from my then doctor, I was reaching out for any help I could get. This came in the form of an Art Therapy Course, held by the Whitehawk Inn, and was an aid to the beginning of my long recovery. Since then I have done Spanish, Alexander Technique, Tai Chi, Pilates, Creative Writing, Colour workshop, Bellydance and soon, Life Coaching. I also made use of the alternative low cost therapies when I really needed this, carried out by volunteers. I have progressed in health terms, due partly to the ongoing support of this centre, which is often peaceful and offers a tranquil environment with use of the garden too.
The Whitehawk Inn has become a home from home. Always welcoming, and friendly, with personable staff who really care. That is so important, after dealing with ongoing paperwork and staff within the benefits system who don’t understand how hard illness can be to cope with! What a wonderful team of people, and a wonderful place. Bright, and colourful in so many ways, full of opportunity, like a shining light of hope! I still use the internet here and printing costs are cheaper than the library.
Now as a member of the fundraising team and still a member of the bellydance group (BD4U), I am looking to the future again, and gaining confidence in my abilities to live a near normal life. Recognising new skills within the fundraising sector and rekindling my love of dance and my passion to teach and choreograph again for performance.
Thank you, Whitehawk Inn, you are an invaluable member of this community.
Bob's story
Bob moved to Whitehawk with his wife Fran last year. In April they both popped in to see what goes on inside The Whitehawk Inn. A week later they both started UK Online IT Taster Sessions and have not looked back since!
“If it wasn’t for this place I wouldn’t have known how to search for jobs online. I have now completed my CV on the computer and regularly apply for jobs on the internet during Job Drop Inn”.
In four months Bob has completed an IT course, Level 2 Numeracy and has been successful at interview for an Access course, starting in September. “I’m looking forward to studying and can’t really believe how much I’ve done in four months. My certificate for numeracy was awarded to me by Caroline Lucas, so I’ve even met my local MP!”
Barry's story
“I haven't been in a classroom for over fifty years. My job was driving and involved no computer work and very little writing. I am now learning both at The Whitehawk Inn and if it wasn't here I wouldn't of even thought about returning to learning”
Barry has completed different computing here since 2007 and now he even has his own Facebook page and is a member of The Whitehawk Inn digital photography club. However it's not only the courses and the clubs Barry has enjoyed, he has also seen a number of other specialist advisers from different organisations. Barry has had appointments with MACS, Pat from The Friends Centre and Trevor from Learndirect.
“Pat was great and really put me at ease during my literacy assessment, after finding out my level and chatting about how I learn she put me in touch with Trevor who runs Learndirect courses at The Whitehawk Inn. Now I can learn English and computing at the same time and at my own pace. Trevor is very good and has helped build my confidence. Over the past three years here I have found if I have a problem or am not sure where I can go for help the staff will either help or make me an appointment with another adviser - they really are a Gateway Team!”
Mel's story
Mel came to The Whitehawk Inn at a low point in her life. She suddenly found she was a lone parent with a young child and was beginning to find it difficult to cope.
“The Whitehawk Inn has really helped me come out of myself. If it wasn't for this place, the courses and the people I don't know where I'd be right now. It's been my rock”
Over the past year and a half Mel has completed a number of courses from Tai Chi to computing as well as finding the specialist advice at The Whitehawk Inn absolutely invaluable. Mel found herself becoming more and more confused about Working Tax Credits so she booked an appointment to see St Luke's at the centre, after one of her courses:
“… the lady from St Luke's was very friendly and helpful and they helped explain Working Tax Credits in a way I could understand! If the Whitehawk Inn wasn't here I wouldn't have known where to go”.
Mel has had appointments with different services (including the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service and the Family Information Service) here and has found it more comfortable to meet them in place she knows well and likes the fact she doesn't have to travel into the centre of Brighton.
“There's so much information here, not just courses. The Family Information Service were great and helped me with advice on a career in childcare and gave me a list of activities for my daughter, Meghan. This place (the Whitehawk Inn) is wonderful and I've met so many new friends”.
Yvette's story
Last Christmas Yvette was made redundant after the Threshers group ceased to trade; she had worked with them for 22 years. It was an extremely difficult time for Yvette and her family and she was unsure about what to do next. “I came to The Whitehawk Inn for a careers appointment with a colleague who had also been made redundant; we had been told how helpful and friendly the place was for people wanting career guidance and motivation. They opened the centre especially for us as it was the 22nd December. It was a relief to be able to start working on a plan before Christmas and by the end of the session I had already enrolled on ECDL to start in the new year!”.
Yvette did really well and completed ECDL while continuing to look for work.
“Completing the course really boosted my confidence, I secured a job a few months later which required my new skills, and I am still really enjoying it!”
Dawn and Sacha's story
In March of last year Dawn sustained an injury at work while manual handling and in April she found she was looking for work. Dawn came to The Whitehawk Inn and had three advice appointments in which time she had written her CV.
“I hadn't written a CV for years as I have always worked, Becs helped me update it and gave me a template to work from”.
Dawn then started attending Job Drop Inn weekly. During one of these sessions Dawn applied for a support workers position and a week later Dawn had impressed them at interview and got the job.
“The Whitehawk Inn is a really good place, everyone is friendly. I learnt how to use a computer here eight years ago and when something changes in your life, like changing jobs, and you need support they're there.”
Dawn now comes to The Whitehawk Inn with Sacha, her friend, as she has started looking for work and Dawn wants her to get the same support she received.
Alvine's story
As a resident of Whitehawk, Alvine has attended several classes at the Whitehawk Inn over the last few years. In September 2009 she became involved with the Belly Dance group, BD4U and hasn't looked back since. She works full time with Brighton and Hove City Council and was looking for a healthy pastime to balance her busy working life. Alvine really enjoys the dance aspect of the club and never dreamt that it would lead her onto becoming more involved in the ‘volunteering in the community’ side of the group and developing many other skills. In February 2010 she decided to become more involved in the group's community work and volunteered to be the group Secretary. She has developed an avid interest in fundraising for the group and has attended several relevant training courses with the Working Together Project to enhance her skills and meet likeminded people from other local community groups. All this new confidence and acquired skills has resulted in Alvine embarking on one of her lifelong ambitions. In February 2011 she is off to Swaziland to do a 3 month volunteering placement at an orphanage and working with the local community there.
Martha's story
Martha recently set up The Whitehawk Inn Photo Club. Her passion for photography was re-kindled after completing a digital photography class at The Whitehawk Inn.
“I suddenly realised digital photography was making photography accessible again. I gave up a dark room years ago due to cost, but now I can take photos, manipulate images and not even have to buy film. I wanted everyone to be included in the club, if you have any type of camera even if it's on your mobile - that's good enough, come and join in!”
The group is growing and Martha and the team are working hard on a new heritage project.
“The Whitehawk Inn has been somewhere to rent space, but we could rent a room anywhere in Whitehawk. The Inn is different because of the people, so many different people use the centre, all with different stories and passions, but with one thing in common: they all want to learn something new”.
Martha has been a member here since 2003 and has completed a number of courses, including photography, computing and Tai Chi.
“Due to my health varying from day to day if The Whitehawk Inn wasn't here I wouldn't of started so many courses as the travelling would have been too much for me. It's a great local centre”.
