St George's Health and Wellbeing Hub
The St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub represents one of the most ambitious healthcare developments in Havering in recent years. Located on Suttons Lane in Hornchurch, the purpose-built facility was created to transform how health, social care and community services are delivered. The hub combines GP services, diagnostics, mental health provision, community healthcare, social care and voluntary sector support in a single integrated environment. It was designed with dedicated spaces for voluntary and community organisations, educational facilities, a community café, meeting rooms and a sensory dementia-friendly garden, ensuring that wellbeing extends beyond traditional medical treatment.
While the physical construction of the hub involved NHS partners, local authorities and developers, the success of the project has always depended on ensuring that people entering the building experience more than just clinical care. Havering Volunteer Centre has played a crucial role in shaping this community-focused approach, helping to ensure that volunteering and community engagement were integral elements of the hub’s development and future operation.
As the hub moved from concept to reality, Havering Volunteer Centre worked alongside health and care partners to develop a volunteer model that would complement professional services while enhancing the patient experience. This partnership approach recognised that volunteers could provide something uniquely valuable: time, reassurance, companionship and a warm welcome that can make a significant difference to people accessing healthcare services.
Since the hub opened, Havering Volunteer Centre has been responsible for recruiting, training and supporting a dedicated team of volunteers who operate throughout the building seven days a week. Volunteers are often the first people patients and visitors encounter when they arrive, helping to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
The role of volunteers at St George’s goes beyond wayfinding and information sharing. They act as a bridge between healthcare services and the wider community. By helping people connect with local organisations, wellbeing activities and social support networks, volunteers contribute directly to the hub’s wider aim of improving long-term health outcomes and reducing social isolation.
The hub now offers a range of volunteering opportunities, including specialist roles within services such as the Ageing Well Centre, where volunteers provide companionship and reassurance to older patients. These roles help strengthen community resilience while enhancing the support available to service users.
Today, the relationship between St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub and Havering Volunteer Centre stands as an example of how voluntary organisations can contribute to the success of major public services. As the hub continues to grow and evolve, the contribution of volunteers remains fundamental. They embody the hub’s commitment to person-centred care, helping residents feel welcomed, supported and connected.
If you would like more information on volunteering at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub, email volunteering@haveringvc.org.uk