In the heart of Grimsby, on Victoria Street, a profound transformation has taken place within the walls of the old Royal Bank of Scotland building. Once a forlorn and forgotten structure, it has been meticulously restored over three years to its original Victorian grandeur. This resurrection was not for a commercial venture or a private club, but for a purpose both noble and revolutionary: to serve as a sanctuary for people experiencing homelessness. The space, named the CARE Hub, now gleams with polished walnut, luxury furnishings, and vintage chairs. Most strikingly, its ceiling is adorned with Morris & Co.’s famed ‘Bird’ wallpaper, bestowing an atmosphere reminiscent of a stately home or a five-star hotel. On a significant day, this environment, crafted with intentional beauty and dignity, was deemed fit for a royal visitor—King Charles III. Yet its true purpose is to offer a radical, humane alternative to traditional homeless services, centered on a “public living room” where beauty is not an extravagance but a fundamental tool for healing.
The philosophy driving the CARE Hub is articulated by its CEO, Anne Bickerstaffe, for whom this project represents a deep labour of love. She explains that the luxurious and generous design is a deliberate departure from the often institutional, unwelcoming feel of typical service centres. Grounded in the principles of neuro-aesthetics—the science of how beauty affects our brains and bodies—the space is designed to actively reduce stress. In this calm and beautiful environment, people’s breathing slows and their guard lowers, allowing the space itself to begin the work of building safety and trust before a single word is exchanged by staff. This approach has yielded tangible results: since opening in this location, daily attendance has surged from 10 people to over 100. It attracts individuals who might otherwise remain hidden, avoiding conventional services, thereby allowing for crucial preventative work before a crisis point is reached.
During his visit, King Charles III experienced this soothing environment firsthand. He met with individuals whose lives have been changed by the hub, such as 26-year-old Liam Atkinson. After his marriage ended, Liam lost both his home and his job within a year. He found his way to the CARE Hub for a simple cup of tea and discovered a lifeline. With the support of staff he describes as “absolutely amazing,” he regained his footing, securing a flat for himself and his three-year-old son. He told the King that the hub made him feel like a human being who matters—a sentiment at the core of the project’s mission. Liam was struck by the King’s down-to-earth and considerate nature, viewing the encounter as the fulfilment of a wish his grandmother had always held. The King’s engagement went beyond a formal visit; he unveiled a plaque and even selected a wallpaper—the calming ‘Stumpery’ design from his Highgrove Collection—for the hub’s next phase of development, a gesture Anne believes confers immense value and dignity upon the entire community.
The daily reality within the hub is one of gentle, respectful support. On a typical day, acoustic music plays softly while individuals—from those sleeping rough to families in crisis—help themselves to tea in a neat kitchenette. Crisis support workers like Briony Chestnut and Angel Farmer chat with visitors and advocate for them with other services. This stands in stark contrast to the concept of “hostile architecture,” such as anti-homeless spikes, which is designed to deter and displace. Instead, the hub’s comfortable sofas and uplifting surroundings act as a balm for people who are often traumatised and accustomed to spaces that implicitly reject them. The environment encourages people to stay, engage, and begin their journey toward stability on their own terms, without having to immediately ask for help or prove their worth.
The stories of those who find refuge here underscore the complex crises facing many. Kevin Klimpton, 75, a former ambulance service first responder, and his partner Brenda Drifil, 65, visited after a community open day. They live in a privately rented flat plagued by dangerous damp and mould, which exacerbates Kevin’s severe COPD, asthma, and heart conditions. Brenda is also disabled, and their beloved dog, Evie, adds another layer of complexity to their housing needs. For them, the hub and its compassionate staff represent a beacon of hope. They see workers like Angel and Briony as “angels” who are actively helping them navigate a path out of their dire situation. This highlights the hub’s holistic approach: it sees beyond immediate problems to the worth, skills, and potential of each person, even celebrating the things they are proud of, such as their children.
The £2 million renovation, funded by 16 different donors, is an ongoing testament to community generosity and visionary design. Future plans include adding medical rooms and showers upstairs. The furnishings are largely second-hand donations from locals, while companies have donated wallpapers and fabrics. For Anne Bickerstaffe, the project is deeply personal; her husband suffered a brain haemorrhage while installing the very ceiling panels that now symbolise hope. His recovery mirrors the restorative mission of the hub itself. In a world where services often build in ordeal to limit demand, the CARE Hub stands as a bold invitation. It proves that spaces for the most vulnerable need not be bleak or defensive. By marrying opulent beauty with profound compassion, the hub has opened a door—much like the wardrobe to Narnia from Anne’s previous work with children—to a world where dignity is restored, and every individual is treated as if they were royalty.
