The UnityMK Hub – Building Hope and Home

Homelessness and housing insecurity remain significant challenges in Milton Keynes, with around 1,707 people estimated to be homeless and many more at risk.

The UnityMK Hub is our bold response. Through our Building Hope and Home project, we are transforming a former railway training building in Wolverton into a new community hub that will help prevent homelessness, support recovery, and create pathways to a brighter future.

The need is urgent. With notice to leave our current premises at Unity Park Station, we must complete Phase 2 of the Hub and relocate our day services by spring 2027. This phase will create dedicated spaces for support, counselling, training, and recovery, ensuring vital services can continue without interruption.

Interested in supporting The UnityMK Hub? We'd love to hear from individuals, businesses, trusts and foundations who want to be part of this transformational project. Email [email protected] to find out more.

Together, we can build hope and home.

Arrow

Real Lives, Real Change

Every day, we see lives transformed when people receive the right support at the right time. These words from our guests remind us why building The UnityMK Hub is so important:

“If it wasn't for this charity, I would still be on the streets. Everyone is absolutely amazing and goes above and beyond to help people. I have nothing but good things to say.” — Rachel*

After an unexpected eviction left Rachel sleeping rough in Campbell Park, UnityMK provided support at a critical time. Today, she has a home of her own and has successfully rebuilt her life.

“Thank you for all your support, the chats, and just being there. You helped me get back on my feet — I've stayed away from drink and drugs, completed a course, passed an exam, and been awarded a flat. You really do change lives for the better.” — Josh*

A welcoming space, trusted relationships, and ongoing encouragement helped Josh move forward from homelessness. Today, he has a home of his own, volunteers in the community, and is looking ahead with confidence.

*Names have been changed to protect anonymity.

A UnityMK guest at our current centre.

Why this matters now

Homelessness does not happen in isolation. It is often the result of a series of setbacks—job loss, soaring rents , ill health, relationship breakdown, or simply a lack of support at the right time.

In recent years, rising living costs and acute housing pressures have pushed more people into crisis. We are seeing a surge in demand: our frontline teams see an average of 200 people accessing our services each week.

Without early intervention, many more people will reach the point of homelessness. But it does not have to be this way. With the right support at the right time, homelessness can be prevented.

Can you help us respond to the growing need? Contact [email protected] to learn more about supporting The UnityMK Hub.

Arrow

Over a Decade of Proven Impact

The UnityMK Hub is built on a foundation of deeply trusted, life-changing services. In the last year alone, operating from our current home at Unity Park Station and our seasonal Winter Night Shelter, our community achieved incredible milestones:

  • 18,000+ hot, hearty meals were prepared and served to those in need.

  • 1,995 lifesaving beds were provided during the coldest winter months , supporting 38 individuals off the streets.

  • An exceptional 79% positive move-on rate was achieved for winter shelter guests transitioning into stable accommodation.

  • 2,000 showers and essential hygiene facilities were provided to restore dignity and help guests maintain stability.

  • 172 hours of dedicated, on-site professional counselling were delivered to support mental health and recovery.

  • 450 active volunteers power our mission, providing a compassionate, non-judgmental space where people feel valued.

A UnityMK guest at our current centre.

What the UnityMK Hub will deliver

The UnityMK Hub will bring together prevention, crisis support, and recovery under one roof. It will provide a safe, welcoming space for people experiencing homelessness, individuals at risk of losing their home, and those rebuilding their lives.

Moving beyond immediate crisis support, the 10,000 sq ft Hub will act as a launchpad for our 4 Pathways Approach to Prevention & Recovery: Accommodation, Community, Personal Development, and Meaningful Work.

This expanded capacity will enable us to:

  • Reach people earlier, long before they hit crisis point.

  • Provide coordinated, holistic care by hosting external partner organisations under one roof to deliver welfare, housing, and addiction and mental health support.

  • Empower long-term stability through tailored pathways, helping guests transition from temporary shelter into private rentals, supported housing, training, and employment.

Reduce repeat homelessness by maintaining support frameworks and community, even after a person finds a home.

Arrow

Transforming a building into hope

The Hub is being created within a former railway training building in Wolverton. Once a place of learning and development, it will once again serve a purpose rooted in growth, opportunity, and futures.

This transformation is not just physical—it is deeply symbolic. We are taking a disused building and turning it into a place where people can rebuild their lives.

Our progress so far on the Building Hope and Home project is well underway, backed by charitable trusts, corporate partners, and the National Lottery.

  • Phase 1 is complete: A new roof, replacement windows, and structural fire safety upgrades have made the building safe, secure, and watertight.

  • Phase 2 is now in development: We are designing flexible spaces for one-to-one support, training and recovery rooms, counselling offices, and operational facilities.

This phase is critical. MKDP has given us notice to leave our current premises at Unity Park Station. We must deliver Phase 2 and prepare the Wolverton Hub for full day-service relocation by spring 2027 to ensure there is no gap in these lifesaving services.

We're still raising the funds needed to bring this vision to life. If you would like to support The UnityMK Hub, please contact [email protected].

A site visit from CRASH, whose support is helping bring the UnityMK Hub to life.

What happens next depends on support

The UnityMK Hub will only be possible with continued investment. We are now seeking support from trusts, foundations, businesses, and individual donors to complete Phase 2 and bring the Hub into full operation.

Your support will directly help us:

  • Prevent homelessness before it begins

  • Support people into stable housing and meaningful work

  • Reduce repeat homelessness and help people rebuild their lives with confidence and stability

  • Move closer to ending homelessness in our city

The UnityMK Hub is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how homelessness is tackled in Milton Keynes. If you would like to support the project or explore partnership opportunities, we'd love to hear from you.

Email [email protected] to start the conversation.

Together, we can build hope and home.

    Charity Number: 1149480

    Company Number: 08232340

    Registered Address: The Ridgeway Centre, Featherstone Road, Wolverton Mill South, Milton Keynes, MK12 5TH

    Charity Web Design