About The Town Hut Project

My name is Jay Brewerton, I am a Rother District Councillor, Business owner, and a Mother.

Last year I attended far too many funerals of young people who had died by suicide. Learning that many had been on the waiting list for mental health services for upto two years truly shocked me. We have so many support organisations locally but due to Covid, waiting times unfortunately have lengthened.

Since thinking about this project, talking to so many different services charities and organisations over the last few months, I have realised mental health impacts both individuals and especially those working supporting individuals mental health.

I wanted to make a difference, even if in only a small way for our local residents. My mental health retreat has always been the seafront, we have many beautiful miles of it locally, we are so blessed. I realised a beach hut on the seafront is therapy in itself, whatever the weather. My kids and I love using our one we rent.

And I thought being able to offer a free office space, on the beach in Bexhill on Sea, where you can watch the sea roll in and out, to Mental Health support organisations and Independent Counsellors, and their clients, operating seven days a week, 8am-8pm, will help to drive those waiting lists down.

I proposed the idea in November to several organisations, and had an over resounding response. Everyone loved it. So we did it, and a local school ran a competition, named our Beach Hut office, The Town Hut.