HARC is a registered charity and provides free welfare benefits advice, representation at tribunals, home visits for elderly and disabled people and advice surgeries for all residents of Hastings Borough and Rother District.

HARC has two charity shops in Hastings and St Leonards where your unwanted items will always be gratefully received. The HARC charity shop in Queens Road, Hastings has been extended and now has a furniture department selling good quality furniture and household goods. A wide range of furniture is also available at the HARC shop in London Road, St Leonards.

After over 25 years of growth, HARC continues to develop and saw 12,983 clients in 2006/2007 - an increase of 833 on the previous year. Our outreach projects which offer home visits for elderly and disabled people, raised £963,033 in previously unclaimed benefits.

In 2005, HARC was awarded a Department for Work and Pensions contract and an additional Legal Services Commission contract which HARC still manage.

In recent years, various improvements have been made to HARC offices and shops, either to accommodate additional advice staff, or provide improved facilities for clients and customers.

Obtaining the correct benefit entitlement for local people.         Increasing income for those in need.         Contributing to local regeneration.         Providing education and training for work.         Obtaining uniforms, tools and fares for returnees to employment.         Assisting elderly and disabled people to live independently.         Providing opportunities for volunteering.         Employing local people.