Our Hall is more than just a venue — it is a vital part of our charitable mission to serve, uplift and support our community.
Located in central Gosport, The Henry Cook Centre (home of Cook’s Bethel, otherwise Seamen’s Bethel — Reg. Charity 243256) exists to preserve the legacy of Henry Cook while responding to the evolving needs of the local population. Today, our hall plays a key role in that mission by offering a flexible, accessible space for practical help, personal growth, and compassionate outreach.
Our Hall is designed to serve the community in two distinct but complementary ways:
From Monday to Friday, The Hall is available to local charities, support groups, and community-based initiatives that align with the charity’s governing documents. These weekday activities are non-religious in nature and seek to:
Our priority is to create a safe, welcoming environment for people facing some of life’s toughest challenges. We particularly support vulnerable adults, including those in recovery, those navigating social isolation, or those living with learning differences or mental health conditions.
The weekends are reserved for Christian faith-led activities that reflect our founder’s original Gospel mission. These include Christian group meetings, guest speakers, and activities connected with Churches Together in Gosport (CTiG) and other local Christian initiatives.
Our weekend sessions focus on:
All weekend use is aligned with the charitable objects of the organisation, ensuring spiritual support complements — not competes with — our broader community mission.
The Hall is approx. 10.5m x 6m (35 ft x 20ft) and can safely accommodate:
Note: The Centre actively manages on-site parking for groups using the hall. “Henry Cook Parking Permits” are issued but do not guarantee a parking space. The charity is not responsible for damage or theft from vehicles.
There is a public parking area adjacent to the hall, with a pay-and-display machine. The first hour is free.
We do not generally accommodate private parties, political campaigning, or commercial hires. Our focus is on charitable and faith-aligned use.
In 2018, our Hall was officially nominated as a ‘Place of Safety’ under the Emergency Action Plan led by Gosport Borough Council, Gosport Voluntary Action and local emergency services. This status highlights the trust placed in our Centre as a reliable, community-focused space in times of need — both everyday and critical. Due to a lack of volunteers, it is currently on hold, but it remains a safe space.
We strive to keep our booking process fair, accessible, and straightforward for all users.
Complete our online booking form or email us at contact@thehenrycookcentre.org with:
Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email with all relevant details. We are happy to arrange an initial tour of the space if you’ve not visited before.
Every booking directly supports our wider work — enabling us to continue serving the poor, the isolated, and those who feel forgotten. In using Our Hall, you become part of something bigger: a compassionate network of volunteers and neighbours dedicated to local renewal.
