We Need More Space to Support Our Community

RUSH 2The DEN is a volunteer-led, independent charity based in Rushden, Northamptonshire. Each year, we support over 6,300 people through our two charities:

Founded in June 2014, RUSH 2The DEN was recently honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Our centre is run entirely by dedicated, DBS-checked volunteers and works in partnership with local organisations including Inner Wheel, Rotary, Rotaract, King’s Trust and Grace4Rushden.

We are open all year round (closing only on Christmas and Bank Holidays) and operate with a clear ethos:

The Problem: We’ve Outgrown Our Building

Our non-profit community building has just three rooms, plus a kitchen and toilets.

All rooms are used at full capacity. Every session is oversubscribed.

The Solution: A Mezzanine Second Floor

We have been granted planning permission to add a mezzanine floor within the existing building footprint.

This will create:

- Dedicated counselling room

- Family time & befriending rooms

- Additional hall for group work and training

- Space for:

The new floor will require:

Total project cost: £100,000

The entire expansion depends on this funding.

What We Do

Youth Support

We provide safe, welcoming spaces where young people can build confidence, skills and positive life choices. Our youth provision includes:

- Age-specific youth clubs: 5-7s, 8-10s, 11-14s, 15-17s

- Freedom SEND (Primary & Seniors)

- IndepenDENce (15-21s) - supporting young people towards independent living

Focus areas for IndepenDENce include:

- AEGIS (LGBTQ+) - a free, weekly support group offering a safe, supportive space for young people to be themselves, away from bullying and hate crime

Alongside weekly sessions (50 weeks per year), young people also take part in life-changing activities such as camps, challenge weeks, bike maintenance, rambles and residential stays.

Challenge Week

Each year, we take 10 young people aged 11-17 on a physically and mentally challenging week away. Past challenges include Snowdon, the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and coastal routes. In 2026, we will walk the 68-mile Isle of Wight coastal route.

Costs are kept low by volunteers leading and funding their own participation. Around 60% of participants are from low-income families. These challenges consistently deliver lasting improvements in confidence, resilience, teamwork and self-esteem.

Tots & Adults Support

Our daytime provision supports babies, toddlers, parents and carers, helping to reduce isolation and improve mental wellbeing.

Sessions include:

Adults are welcomed with refreshments and access to befriending, counselling, baby self-weigh services, and peer support.

Practical Support for Families

Support is open to everyone who needs it, including people experiencing homelessness.

Why This Matters Now

Rushden is classed as a highly deprived area, with rising crime and limited youth provision. Many young people currently gather in unsafe public spaces simply because there is nowhere else to go.

With more space, RUSH 2The DEN can:

We can do more. We just need the room to do it.

Thank you for taking the time to consider our request and support our vision for a safer, stronger community.