Our History & Background

History

People’s wellbeing and safety have been our priority since 1985, as we have been established as a charity for over 35 years and a Company Limited by Guarantee since September 1996.

Since the closure of the County Asylum psychiatric hospital in Hellingly, a number of individuals really struggled to adjust into society outside of an institutional setting. Many were left feeling as if they were living on the margins of a society which didn’t really understand them and were in need of advocacy and support as a homelessness crisis began to incur.

Seaview began as a true community based response to expressed needs and has continued to support people on the edges of society for a wide range of reasons.

Today, Seaview and its activities are funded from a mix of statutory funding, grants and charitable donations, and delivered with open access and an inclusive approach. We reach out to individuals experiencing a range of issues including mental health, learning disabilities, substance misuse, physical disabilities, social isolation, rough sleeping and homelessness.

(Historical photos credit of the late photographer Penny Tweedie who visited us in 1988)

Helping people get back on their feet

Seaview’s range of support services helps marginalised people with addiction problems, mental health issues, ex-and at-risk offenders and rough sleepers achieve personal growth and fulfilment.

Our former Chief Executive, the late John Evans, put his heart and soul into the foundations of Seaview and what it stands for, with these ethics and values transpiring to today.

John was a tireless advocate for a client group whose needs have often been overlooked, and the fact there is still a thriving Seaview Project is a real tribute to John’s determination and sheer hard work.

John kept a blog after retirement, where he occasionally wrote about Seaview and his time there. You can find the blog by clicking this link.