René House, a new hub for people experiencing homelessness is opening on Mansfield Road, and there's just one month to transform the new space. We meet fundraiser Shani Jayawardena to learn how the community can help...
In an empty shopfront on Mansfield Road, supported housing organisation René House faces a race against time to set up The Hub, a space designed to be “welcoming, dignified, and genuinely useful” in the fight against homelessness. This comes in the form of digital inclusion support, employability activities, and wellbeing sessions for anyone experiencing homelessness or instability.
With the aim being to have The Hub up and running by the end of August, René House needs the community to rally behind them: a lack of outside funding means that the only way of establishing The Hub is through donations from the public. This may be through monetary donations, or expertise, such as in the case of a bespoke modular table. Each contribution will be recorded on a ‘wall of recognition’, as a constant reminder of the vital role of the public in creating The Hub, as well as shared on social media.
The site of The Hub, on Mansfield Road, is currently far from finished - it’s cosy, if mostly empty. Before I visited it, Shani Jayawardena, bid writer and fundraiser for René House, clarified that the space isn’t currently very exciting. Which is true, yet the space is also pregnant with possibility, and exciting in its own way. She pointed out where each donation would fit in, painting a picture of a space fostered by community. In Shani’s words: "all we can do is share our mission and hope there are people who want to see this happen."
René House’s aim is to “rewrite homelessness”- both in its public perception, and the approach to fighting it
The Hub will deliver a range of courses on topics such as CV building and money management, things that Shani acknowledged may seem “insignificant”, but can act as catalysts for change for people experiencing homelessness. Donated laptops are critically important for The Hub, as they will be used to teach the digital skills that are so essential in today’s employment market, to people who don’t have access to them at home. Shani pointed out that while many of us take technology for granted, teaching these skills may be the first step in homeless individuals finding employment and leaving homelessness behind.
René House’s aim is to “rewrite homelessness”- both in its public perception, and the approach to fighting it. With The Hub, the stigma of homelessness hopes to be dismantled by providing friendly and dignified for support for anyone that needs it. In terms of the support René House already provides, their approach is “residents first”, with Shani affirming that the organisation is full of people who “genuinely care” about the cause.
As well as setting up The Hub, for the past seven years René House has also provided accommodation and tailored support for those experiencing homelessness; this can include helping residents with physical or mental health problems, substance misuse, or offending histories. Shani emphasised that homelessness is a traumatic experience: beyond losing your home, it can lead to social isolation and destroy your sense of self. This is why “fostering independence” and “rebuilding confidence” is a key part of René House’s approach to aid individuals to overcome that trauma. The Hub is a central part of this, with the aim being to create a positive social network to help rebuild confidence and support residents out of homelessness. In 2025, René House provided accommodation for over 150 residents and delivered over 16,000 hours of tailored support.
Whilst primarily intended to support people struggling with homelessness, The Hub will also eventually open its doors to the wider community. A “multi-functional space”, it will host social events and workshops, covering health and wellbeing, and creativity and arts. This is part of a plan to create a positive cycle, using a space that was made possible by the community, for the community.
However, opening The Hub by the end of August will only be possible through support from the community: “Our plans and timeline to transform The Hub are ambitious, but when a community of people rally together and share their gifts, anything is possible!” Local businesses, as well as anyone that wants to make a difference, are encouraged to contribute either with monetary donations, through offering their expertise, or through donating old equipment to give it a new life.
Situated in the heart of Nottingham, The Hub will be “a space that changes lives”, existing to help the people of this city and make a real difference.
If you think you can help by donating time, skills or items, get in touch with the team today: info@renehousecic.com
Donation list:
- Bespoke modular table
- Adaptable/stackable seating
- Bespoke window seating with integrated storage
- Kitchenette (unit & installation)
- Dining ware (a set of plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, cutlery)
- Printer
- Projector and screen
- Repainting of the exterior shopfront
- Shopfront signage
- Commercial security
- Additional electrical work
- Flooring refresh (sanding of wooden floors)
- Decorative furnishings (rugs, plants, cushions)
- Workshop materials (creative materials, wellbeing resources, etc.)
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