Shine’s new address, Bert House, is located on Bull Ring in Horncastle, in the building of an old bank. When Shine took the keys, the two-storey building was still very much a formal, albeit somewhat tired, retail space that needed far more than a lick of paint. Cue weeks of 12 hour days, funding applications, designs (and re-designs), planning applications and a considerable amount of trial and error and Rachel’s vision began to take shape. Tiles were lifted, carpets fitted, toilets were scrubbed and painted, flat packs were assembled, doors were labelled, electrics were wired. Over 2 months everything was given due attention, from the free book library, public computer areas and large meeting rooms to the comfortable chairs in the private 1-2-1 space, the pool table for when a cheerful distraction with good company is required, and the friendly wall-art featuring the charity’s mascot, Bert. 

Now Bert house is a thriving community hub open four days a week for the community to access support, signposting, groups and free refreshments. We have a range of facilities and activities available when our hub is open such as crafts, books, pool table, table tennis, air hockey, free Wi-Fi and public computers.