At Hubs by G., our core mission is to uplift people, communities, and animals. We are a small, dedicated operation with charity at its heart, and our commitment is deeply personal. Every member of our team contributes to projects, giving of ourselves financially and through our time. We operate without salaries or expenses, channelling all contributions directly into our impactful work. Your support is vital, and if consistent contributions are received, we plan to formally register as a small business—still without taking salaries—to expand our reach and impact. If our mission resonates with you, please consider contributing.
The Genesis of Our Mission
Our journey to supporting communities began long before we officially formed. One of our founding members, Chris, experienced an early and unexpected path to financial freedom through a unique form of "snail mail crowdfunding" in the mid-1990s.
During his time at a college for individuals with profound disabilities, Chris and his classmates stumbled upon a curious "get-rich-quick" scheme circulating in early chat rooms and IRC. Despite their skepticism, the low cost—£6 plus postage—and the ability to print materials for free at college, made it an intriguing experiment.
The scheme involved a letter listing six addresses. Participants would send £1 to each address, then rewrite the letter, moving their own address to the top and removing the last one. Copies were then made and distributed. While most might dismiss such mail as junk, Chris hand-delivered over 5,000 copies in his hometown. Within a month, he received £2,200, followed by a steady stream of envelopes containing currency from various countries.
A year later, at 18, Chris replicated the process. While on a touring holiday in the UK, he distributed several thousand more copies, achieving even greater success. He then initiated a new circulation, placing his name at the top and his friends' names below, distributing them across the country wherever he travelled. This, too, proved successful.
The income generated was strategically invested in stocks, premium bonds, precious metals, and property, leading to the successful launch of several businesses and financial independence before the age of 20.
In the early 2000s, with the rise of the internet and secure online payment systems like PayPal, Chris attempted to digitise this crowdfunding model. Despite the potential for greater efficiency and international reach through emails and mailing lists, these attempts were unsuccessful.
Chris's friends embarked on global adventures, but Chris chose to focus on personal growth, seeking support for his disability and building confidence to overcome isolation. During this time, his focus profoundly shifted towards charitable endeavours, particularly those promoting social inclusion and the well-being of both people and animals.
Who We Are: Embracing "DiffAbility"
The individuals behind Hubs by G. are a diverse group of friends. Due to past verbal and physical attacks, we have temporarily removed much of our personal information to ensure our safety.
Our core team formed in a support group for non-verbal individuals. The reasons for our non-verbal states are varied, ranging from congenital conditions to emotional trauma. For some, regaining speech would require extensive physiotherapy and speech therapy. We are also supported by verbal friends who contribute to other projects, and who also navigate their own challenges, including learning difficulties and other physical and mental differences. We are committed to achieving as much as possible independently.
We choose not to use the term "disabled." Instead, we embrace "Different Differences" or "DiffAbled," signifying "Differently Abled." This positive reframing highlights our capabilities and our determination to thrive and innovate. We do not seek sympathy or attention for our actions; our efforts are not about us, but about you and those we can assist through our shared goals and objectives.
Today, our group comprises 16 individuals based in various countries, collaboratively working to expand our positive impact globally.
Our Journey of Impact: From Local to Global
In 2006, we formally established our charitable group to serve people, animals, and communities. Over the years, we've launched numerous initiatives and projects. While some have been temporarily paused since the 2020 lockdown or have evolved, our primary focus remains on assisting those facing significant challenges.
Here's a glimpse into some of our past and ongoing projects:
● Animal Sanctuary: Providing a safe haven for farm and domestic animals.
● Residential Recovery Clinic: Offered support for mental health recovery (closed due to lack of volunteer professionals).
● Seed-to-Stomach: A nine-month farming-based education program focused on food chains, nutrition, and healthy eating for individuals with food-related challenges.
● Micro Wildlife Habitats: Transforming unused spaces into ecologically diverse, wildlife-friendly areas.
● Community Brewery: Specialising in "healthy brews" like kombucha, water kefir, and naturally fermented botanical drinks.
● Better Travel: A unique long-term rental platform for seamless relocation and flexible living while travelling.
● Rural Mesh: A small mesh communication system designed to connect rural communities with internet access and off-grid communication.
● Sustainable Energy: A fundraising initiative exploring the generation of electricity from inland waterways, with potential for grid stabilisation through battery storage pylons.
● Soup Kitchens: A network of over 30 venues across four continents, which ceased operations in 2018 due to reduced funding and government grants.
● Gardeners Retreat: Providing homegrown, homemade foods (stocks and soups) and plant/soil tonics to enhance garden and wildlife area bioactivity.
In 2013, with support from Christian and Sikh places of worship, shopping malls, and YouTube creators, we embarked on a humanitarian mission to the Philippines. Our focus was on helping farmers replant their land after Typhoon Haiyan ("Super Typhoon Yolanda"), repairing homes, and establishing safe aid routes.
In 2019, we launched "Heat or Eat (hEat)" to assist the elderly during cold weather and provide year-round support to those in need. Within months, this project evolved into "All Against Poverty," succeeding our Soup Kitchens initiative.
Since 2020, our primary focus has been on assisting with food and grocery expenses. We provide batch-cooked, fresh home meals to locals and distribute grocery store gift cards to those living further afield, allowing families to purchase food tailored to their dietary needs. Additionally, we help with prescription costs, supply baby formula and food, provide essential clothing, and assist with expensive school uniforms.
Our initiatives continually evolve to meet pressing needs, and we are committed to reintroducing our past projects as resources allow.