Date: 10/09/25
Written by Alankrita Singh (Research Fellow, CO-ACTION)
CO-REACH visits Shekinah’s Stonehouse Creek Centre
Ten months into CO-ACTION, the connections we’ve made with local charities, VCSEs, and communities are starting to grow. In my last post, I wrote about my “arty” contribution to the Stoke Village Funday. It was at this community event that I met a community listener who supports people with their mental health through counselling and linking them to local activities. We spoke about the overlaps between their work and what CO-ACTION is exploring — especially since mental health often goes hand in hand with other long-term physical health conditions.
One thing I heard, from many, during the visit really stayed with me: ’the divide between mental” and physical” health feels artificial’. For these members of the community, a person is whole and cannot be split into parts and what happens in the body and in the mind is deeply connected. That perspective resonated strongly with me and with the Co-ACTION approach. To take the connection forward, I was e-introduced to other colleagues at Shekinah in Stonehouse.
My visit to Shekinah’s Stonehouse Creek Centre
Shekinah is a Devon-based charity that works with people facing challenges such as homelessness, mental health issues, substance use, and social isolation. Their aim is to offer support, training, and opportunities that help people move forward in their lives. The Stonehouse Creek Centre in Plymouth is one of their community hubs. It provides a welcoming space where people can access practical support, take part in courses and activities, and connect with others in a safe, supportive environment (Shekinah, 2024).
What started as an email soon turned into a visit to the Shekinah Centre at Stonehouse Creek, coordinated for me by Rosanna, Quality assurance Coordinator at Shekinah. At the door I was welcomed by Mike, the greeter, who cheerfully greets everyone dropping in to the centre, and enters their name in a register. He introduced me to Rosanna, who kindly gave me a tour of the centre. Even at 9 am on a rainy morning the place was lively — people were coming in for a hot breakfast, relaxing on the sofas, using the showers and laundry, or spending time reading and working on the computers. The rooms were bright and spacious, with large windows looking out onto the gardens. The kitchen and dining area were busy, but there were also quiet rooms available for anyone who needed some peace.
We then sat down in the training room. Rosanna showed me their calendar of activities — yoga, art, animation, and more. I found it interesting that all sessions were open to walk-ins. They explained that avoiding sign-up forms helps remove barriers for people who might otherwise miss out.
Next, I met John, the CEO of Shekinah. Over a cuppa, he shared the vision behind the Stonehouse Creek Centre: to create a space that feels welcoming, respectful, and useful for everyone. The centre is open to all, no referral needed. Services include GP clinics twice a week, nursing support three times a week, and access to counselling, de-addiction support, occupational therapy, and more. John reflected on how, since COVID, much of their work has focused on urgent needs and emergency support for people who have fallen through the cracks. They would also like to do more preventative and long-term work, but resources remain a challenge.
I also met Briony, a drop-in support worker, who told me about Shekinah’s efforts to provide continuity of care. If someone misses an appointment or doesn’t answer their phone, staff don’t stop there — they go out and try to find them. It’s about showing people they matter and won’t be left behind.