Chichester Local Jan 2016

January 2016

CHICHESTER LOCAL and events to 7,000 5,900 homes homes in in this this area area every every month month through the door LocalLocal newsnews and events to over through the door

TIME 4 CHILDREN

Local charity helping troubled youngsters

LOCAL NEWS

Charity & Community

GARDENING Brave the chill...

WIN!

Joe Brown tickets Books; Cook Wright & Fighter Station at War

WHAT’S ON

January events

PLUS

Local Walks, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Local Groups, Local trades & services, Local Business Directory

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January 2016 Cover Photo Chichester canal kindly supplied by Scott Younger www.portraitsbyyounger.com

Welcome...

So a brand new year is upon us. Here’s hoping it will be a happy and healthy one for you and yours.

This month we are very excited to be able to give away tickets to see Joe Brown in concert, see page 11 for how to win. Also this month you can win Leonie Wright’s healthy recipe book ‘Cook Wright’ see page 12 - perfect if you wish to atone for any Christmas over indulgence! There is also a copy of ‘A Fighter Command Station at War’ to be won. Fontwell author Mark Hillier looks at the role of RAF Westhampnett during WW11 - see page 12. Also, do give our prize crossword a go, you can win a £30 beauty voucher see page 24. So much to win!

Don’t forget to keep our What’s On guide (page 4) handy and if you ‘Like’ us on Facebook you can receive What’s On updates in your Facebook news feed.

This month’s recipe is a ’show stopper’ dessert - well January can’t be all about abstinence... See page 26.

Our main article is a profile of a very worthy charity called Time 4 Children, starting on page 28. We love giving publicity to local good causes so please get in touch if you have any ideas for future articles.

Happy New Year!

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..................................................................What’s On ................Win! Tickets to see Joe Brown in Worthing .............................................Win! Book: Cook Wright ..............................Win! Book: Fighter Station at War ..........................................................In Your Garden ...............................................................Local Walks .......................................Charity & Community News .........................................................Prize Crossword ........................................................................Recipe ................................Time 4 Children - Charity Profile ......................................................Business Directory ...................................................Index of Advertisers

February Deadlines Bookings, editorial - 1st January Finished artwork, events - 7th Jan

SUSSEX & CHICHESTER LOCAL 01903 868 474

info@sussexlocal.net www.sussexlocal.net Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH Sussex Local & Chichester Local magazines are published monthly and delivered free of charge to over 30,800 homes and businesses in West Sussex. There are five editions and display advertising starts at just £23 a month per edition.

Kris & Jeff

Words of Wit "Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t."

- ERICA JONG Disclaimer - Whilst advertisements are printed in good faith, Sussex Local (Kay Publishing Ltd) is an independent company and does not endorse products or services that appear in this magazine. Sussex Local cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions or claims made by contributors. The views and opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Arundel edition - Arundel, Barnham, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total homes - 7,000 Chichester edition - Chichester suburbs Total homes - 7,000 Findon edition - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total homes - 6,000 Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common. Total homes - 4,800 Storrington edition - Storrington, Amberley, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total homes - 6,000 The combined circulation of all five editions is over 30,800 homes.

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Competition 11

Win a pair of tickets to see Joe Brown at The Pavilion Theatre Worthing on Monday 8th February Joe Brown MBE hits the road again this Autumn on his first UK outing this year. Accompanied by his four strong band it’s a major tour that takes him up to Christmas and then on into 2016 for another two months.

Since his very first hit Joe has toured, performed and entertained like the master he is – a man with a musical skill set to be envied and totally at home with the quickfire gag and the effortless repartee that’s now part and parcel of the cheeky chappie .

Much has been written of Joe’s role as a UK guitar pioneer and rightly so. His guitar playing has been lauded by many including George Harrison, Mark Knopfler and Keith Richards. His receipt of a coveted Mojo Award a few years back proved one of the most popular awards of the night.

Joe’s last album “The Ukulele Album” demonstrated his love of that instrument, one he’s cham-

pioned for many years, but he also plays mandolin, mandola, fiddle, trumpet, banjo and, of course, electric and acoustic guitar.

So what’s in store? A great musical evening, a hugely enjoyable one and probably a complete revelation. An inspiring tour de force - that’s Joe Brown for you!

For full list of dates see http://www.joebrown.co.uk

Win a pair of tickets to see Joe Brown Q: What was Joe's last album called? a) The Guitar Album b) The Ukulele Album or c) The Piano Album Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: ‘Joe Brown’ Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@ sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after the closing date 31st January 2016. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

CHICHESTER LOCAL

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Win ’Cook Wright’ Recipe book 100+ no added sugar recipes CookWright is a no added sugar recipe book with more than 100 recipes designed for those that want to diminish their sugar intake. It gives you ideas for breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner. Inspired by her own personal journey with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and migraines Leonie wrote this recipe book to help you on your way to better health. The book is perfect for you if:  You’re starting your sugar-free experiment.  You’re fed up with feeling tired and sluggish.  You want to lose weight, have more energy, a sharper focus and a clearer skin.  You are not sure about how to cook and eat healthily.  You are ready to make some lifestyle changes.

For more information about author Leonie Wright or to buy a copy of her book ’CookWright’ visit www.eatwright.co.uk or telephone 01372 386028

Win a copy of CookWright

by Leonie Wright RRP £15 5 copies available as prizes Q: A) 50

How many recipes are in the book?

B) 300

C) Over 100

Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: ‘CookWright’ Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after the closing date 31st January 2016. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

A Fighter Command Station at War Based in Fontwell, Mark Hillier is a chartered surveyor who has a deep knowledge of the history of the RAF, with a particular focus on the Second World War. He is also a qualified pilot, having flown more than twenty-two years. Mark currently flies from Goodwood Aerodrome, the former RAF Westhampnett. It is this location that has inspired him to write his latest book, A Fighter Command Station at War. It looks at RAF Westhampnett during the Second World War, which was at the forefront of the hectic combats of the Battle of Britain. Covered in detail are many well-known operations such as the Channel Dash, the Dieppe Raid and in due course, the D -Day landings. PAcked with more than 250 wartime photographs and accompanied by a detailed history of the fighting as seen through the eyes of many of the surviving pilots and groundcrew,

A Fighter Command Station at War not only brings to life those exciting but dangerous days, but helps to ensure that one airfield's role in the Second World War is not forgotten.

A Fighter Command Station at War is available from Pen & Sword books for £25.00 Hardback, ISBN: 9781473844681. Contact: 01226 734679

Win a copy of A Fighter Command Station at War Simply answer the following question to be in with a chance of winning Q: RAF Westhampnett is now known as?

A) Goodwood Aerodrome B) Tangmere Aerodrome C) Shoreham Airport Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: Fighter Station at War Competition PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email your answer and full contact details to: competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after closing date 31st January 2016. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.

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Gardening 15

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Shakespeares Landscapes  

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Garden Design Patios & Driveways Water Features

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Soft & Hard Landscaping Fencing & Oak Construction

01243 553 083 07879 460 364 www.shakespeareslandscapes.co.uk

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Gardening 17

01243 850076 01903 890129

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CHICHESTER LOCAL

Local Walks - January

These walks are supported by Chichester District Council, are led by volunteers and are designed to cater for all ages and abilities. No booking is required but please arrive 10 minutes before the walk is due to start. Dogs are welcome unless otherwise stated but must be kept on the lead. If the weather is poor the walk may be cancelled, if unsure please check.

01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk. L = Walk Leader Mon 4th January 10.30am WILDHAMS WOOD L: Andrew 2 hours 4 miles A walk up through Wildhams Wood to Bow Hill. Meet: Forestry Commission car park east of (SU815126) Thurs 7th January 10.30am BURPHAM L: Jane 2 hours Hilly walk with some stiles. Lovely views. Meet: The public car park behind the George at Burpham

4 miles

Fri 8th January 10.30am ARUNDEL PARK L: Andrew 2 hours 30 mins 5 miles A walk through the Park to South Stoke and the Arun riverbank. Meet: Arundel Museum entrance, Mill Road Sun 10th January 10.30am WHITEWAYS A walk along Monarch Way Meet: Whiteways car park on A29

L: Dominic

1 hour 30 mins

3.5 miles

Mon 11th January 10.30am EMSWORTH A flat, leisurely stroll. Meet: Emsworth town square

L:Anne

1 hour 30 mins

2.5 miles

Tues 12th January 10:30am CHARLTON L:Andrew 1 hour 30 mins 3 miles Walk up North Lane, and back along River Lavant meadows. Meet: 'Fox Goes Free' car park, Charlton village Fri 15th January 10.30am PAGHAM L: Jane 1 hour 2 miles Taking in Pagham Beach and Lagoon. Flat, no stiles. Meet: Car park at the junction of Sea Lane and The Parade Mon 18th January 10.30am CHANCTONBURY HILL L: Peter Br 2 hours 4 miles Walk to Chanctonbury Ring hill fort and return via Washington village with some steep gradients. Not for beginners.

Meet: Frankland Arms pub (map ref TQ122130) Wed 20th January 10.30am WOOLBEDING MARSH HILL L: Fiona 1 hour 30 mins 3 miles New route around Woolbeding which includes sections of Lipchis Wayand the Serpent Trail. Meet: Marsh Hill car park grid ref: SU 864254 Fri 22nd January 10.30am NUTBOURNE TO PRINSTED L: Jane 2 hours 4 miles Flat walk through woodland to the harbour shoreline and back through farmland and fields. Meet: At the entrance to Maybush Copse, 200yds down Cot Lane on the right hand side Mon 25th January 10.30am WEST DEAN L: Andrew 2 hours 30 mins 4 miles Up the hilly Downs on West Dean minor lanes and paths. Meet: Alongside the River Lavant in West Dean village, grid ref. 858124 Wed 27th January 10.30am HEYSHOTT L: Bruce 2 hours 10 mins 4.6 miles Ascent 70m . Exceptional heathland. Can be muddy. Meet: Heyshott - Village Hall GU29 0DJ Thurs 28th January 10.30am WATERGATE PARK L: Jane 2 hours 15 mins 5 miles Walk through woods and fields. 3 steepish climbs and the walk does include stiles.Meet: At the junction of the B2146 and the Walderton Stoughton Road – where parking is available on the grass verge by the River Ems Fri 29th January 10.30am AMBERLEY L: Peter 2 hours 4 miles Walk through Amberley village and back round the castle and along the river Arun. Meet: Car park at Amberley Sun 31st January 10.30am BINSTED WOODS L: Dominic 45 minutes 1.5miles Mainly flat headland path, grass, gravel. Meet: Walberton Village Hall car park, The Street, Walberton, BN18 0PQ

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20 Charity & Community Sussex Snippets Henry Smith MP has welcomed the announcement that from this month, Oyster and contactless payments will be accepted at Gatwick Airport station. This will mean more convenience and flexibility for commuters and visitors alike, with pay -as-you-go fares offering improved value for money in many cases, and reduced crowding at stations – it will also allow seamless onward connections to London’s transport network and National Rail services.

Following its record fundraising year – with £100,000 raised for community good causes and 200,000 people enjoying the parade in 2015 – and its winning a Biggest contribution to Sussex Charity Award at the prestigious Sussex Business Awards 2015, Brighton Pride has announced the date for Pride weekend 2016. The weekend is Friday 5th - Sunday 7th August with the main Community Parade and Pride Festival being held on Saturday 6th August. Early bird tickets are now on sale from: Brighton-Pride.org The voices of more than 20,000 young people have recently been heard in the UK’s largest youth consultation –‘Make Your Mark’ is a national survey which gives young people the chance to decide what the UK Youth Parliament debates.

The West Sussex Youth Cabinet and UK Youth Parliament worked with the county council’s Young People’s Service and 45 schools, colleges and youth groups to find out what matters to local young people. www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk or www.yourspacewestsussex.co.uk Ferring Country Centre, a local charity for people with learning difficulties, has been celebrated for its work in raising disability awareness at an awards ceremony hosted by Arun Business Partnership, supported by Arun District Council’s Economic Development Unit. The Disability Awareness Award is awarded to companies who can demonstrate how they treat everyone equally and the award focuses on the company’s beliefs and values and how it drives success, measures customer and staff satisfaction and the achievements and barriers it has overcome.

Ferring Country Centre: 01903 245078 or 07766 515146 or e-mail: gm@ferringcountrycentre.org www.ferringcountrycentre.org There is still time to visit West Sussex County Council’s social media campaign to showcase the variety of services it provides for residents.

CHICHESTER LOCAL Launched in early December, the #WestSussexMatters campaign sees infographics being posted on Twitter and Facebook over 50 days. Residents can keep track of the campaign by following @WSCCNews on Twitter, and West Sussex Matters on Facebook.

West Sussex Young Carers Service and Your Space Therapies Partnership was honoured to receive a ‘highly commended’ at the prestigious Children & Young People Now Awards 2015, held at the Hurlingham Club, London, in a ceremony hosted by Cerrie Burnell, children’s author and presenter for CBeebies. They were nominated in the Young Carers Award category, which looked for the team that has done the most to support children, young people or young adults who care for a family member or friend with an illness, disability, mental health problem or addiction.

Information: Young carers – 01903 270300 or send an email to youngcarers@westsussex.gov.uk or www.westsussex.gov.uk. Your Space Therapies: Suzanne Ryan on 01903 209991, email suzanneryan@yourspacetherapies.org.

Voluntary Action Award Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) has been awarded the PQASSO Quality Mark at Level 2.

Quality marks are not just for big companies or organisations, they have their place in the voluntary sector.

Quality is about trying to do better – both in the services offered and the way organisations are run.

PQASSO is a self-assessment tool with twelve topics or quality areas covering the main aspects required to run an organisation well. The whole required a team effort and relied upon good communication amongst staff, trustees and volunteers, and the end result is that VAAC is able to announce: “Our Charity has been assessed using a quality system endorsed by the Charity Commission.” If you are an organisation in Arun or Chichester that would like support from the VAAC development team then fill in the simple form on the website www.vaac.org.uk or telephone 01243 840305.

Please send your community notices to info@sussexlocal.net Please enter events on our website www.sussexlocal.net for print and social media feeds

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Charity & Community 21

22 Charity & Community University Caretaker Rescues Falcon

A caretaker has spoken of his relief after rescuing a missing bird of prey found at the University of Chichester.

Simon Wootton, a facilities manager at the institution, discovered the peregrine falcon perched outside a student accommodation block at the Bognor Regis campus.

Noticing that the bird was ringed and wearing a short lead, Simon persuaded the falcon onto his arm and then sat with it for nearly an hour, whilst university staff contacted Brent Lodge Bird and Wildlife Trust, who later reunited the bird with her owner.

Simon said that he was sad to see the falcon go, as “… she was very friendly considering we had just met.” A few days later, Simon repeated his ornithological experience when a wounded pigeon was found on campus. “That story didn’t end so happily,” he said, “… it would have been more convenient if it had happened a few days earlier, as I had a very hungry falcon.” www.chi.ac.uk.

CHICHESTER LOCAL Enterprising Women Conference

A call to young women to take the initiative and become the country’s next generation of trailblazers has been made by a group of female business leaders. Senior figures from major organisations located across the south coast made the plea during an innovative conference held recently at the University of Chichester. The Enterprising Women conference aimed to inspire hundreds of female pupils from West Sussex and Hampshire schools to develop long-standing careers among the country’s top professions. The conference, held in conjunction with the Girls’ Network, a national charity that promotes positive female role models, was timed to coincide with Global Enterprising Week (GEW) aiming to help young people start their own businesses. Among those attending included senior figures of global business and brands, such as computer giants IBM, and construction firm Willmott Dixon. The conference also provided the students with an opportunity to interview the businesswomen to learn about their careers. www.chi.ac.uk/ enterprisingwomen. www.gew.org.uk.

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Wildlife Trust’s New Landrover

Working with local business is important to the Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) and thanks to their latest p a r tn e r shi p w it h Caffyns Land Rover Sussex Wildlife Trust, based at Woods Mill, Henfield, has been able to buy a Defender 110XS Land Rover at generous discounted price. The vehicle will be used on a daily basis to take up to six volunteers to SWTs nature reserves all over the county to carry out vital conservation work. Without volunteer support, this work would cost SWT tens of thousands of pounds in contractors’ fees each year. Volunteer support is vital to maintain and safeguard habitats and the wildlife living on nature reserves.

The Land Rover’s special features include a ceramic paint coating, which prevents mud and grime sticking to the vehicle, making the volunteers’ last task of a hard physical day – namely, washing the vehicle – so much easier as it can now be rinsed clean in a matter of moments.

To volunteer telephone 01273 497562 or send an email to: lizfrancis@sussexwt.org.uk For more info on SWT visit: www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk

Charity & Community 23 Business Broadband Grants

Groups of businesses across West Sussex are encouraged to apply for a grant which will help them access superfast broadband services, as part of a pilot grant project to improve connectivity for groups of businesses in West Sussex that are without access to superfast broadband.

This capital grant scheme will support superfast connection for groups of businesses not planned for inclusion in either the commercial or publiclyfunded rollouts of broadband infrastructure.

Business estates or clusters in West Sussex have until 5pm on 15th January 2016, to apply to the new Digital Connectivity Grant Programme, which will provide up to 40 per cent of the cost of getting connected. This funding comes from Coast to Capital’s Local Growth Fund under their ‘Growth is Digital’ key project but is being managed by West Sussex County Council.

To be eligible, businesses must not have current access to superfast broadband services or be included in the planned delivery of the publicly funded roll out by Better Connected. Information: can be seen on: www.coast2capital.org.uk or send an email to: broadband@southdowns.gov.uk

CHICHESTER LOCAL

24 Crossword

Prize Crossword

Win a £30 Toucan Beauty voucher

Chichester January 16 November 2015 solution shown below.

ACROSS: 7) Oppose, 8) Exempt, 9) Vex, 10) Waste, 11) Zoo, 14) Chaff, 15) Lectern, 17) Caterer, 19) Yearn, 22) Ape, 23) Skill, 24) Ago, 27) Vacate, 28) Turkey.

DOWN: 1) Speech, 2) Hoe, 3) Legal, 4) Kestrel, 5) Jet, 6) Uproar, 12) Offer, 13) Utter, 16) Heckler, 18) Appeal, 20) Regret, 21) Elite, 25) Yam, 26) Cry. Winner: Mrs K E Robertson from Chichester. Congratulations and thank you to all who entered.

Entries to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or scan and email the page to crosswords@sussexlocal.net.

Across

Down

7 Courageous (4) 8 Pet from Beijing (8) 9 Crimson (3) 10 Knife handle (4) 11) Time span (4) 13 Small force (6) 14 Water horses (6) 15 Cad (6) 18 Ice cream dish (6) 20 Check (4) 21 Alter slightly (4) 22 Large number (3) 24 Pub hostess (8) 25 Facility (4)

1 Short jacket (6)

Closing date: 31st January 2016.

Good luck!

2 Unusual (3) 3 Run fast (6) 4 Rough drawing (6) 5 Very healthy (2, 3, 4) 6 False (6) 12 Strong courage (9) 16 Test (6) 17 Show (6) 18 Homeless animals (6) 19 Raise up (6) 23 Limb (3)

Name: ...................................................................................................

Full address: ........................................................................................ ..............................................................................................................

Postcode:..............................................................................................

Email: ....................................................................................................

Phone:...................................................................................................

Mobile: .................................................................................................

Win a £30 Voucher from Toucan Beauty Honest and Effective Beauty for Ladies and Gentlemen 01243 530696 www.toucanbeauty.co.uk 4, Stockbridge Place, Stockbridge Road, Donnington, PO19 8QH

Chichester Local & Toucan Beauty may wish to keep in touch with occasional information and offers. We will never share your details with third parties. Please tick here if you consent to receive information.

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26 Recipe

CHICHESTER LOCAL

Blackberry and Ginger Tiers This show stopper dessert is made in minutes, but best not assembled until you are ready to serve.

Ingredients (serves 4): Lime, 1 small orange, 2 small ripe pears, peeled cored and quartered, 35g caster sugar, 250g blackberries or other berries, 16 brandy snaps, 250g mascarpone or ricotta cheese, 1-2tsp Amaretto or other liqueur

Method: 1 Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/gas mark 5.

Finely grate lime & orange zest and squeeze the juices into a medium pan. Add sugar and warm until it has dissolved.

2 If the pears are firm cook them for 2-3 minutes in the syrup then transfer to a plate to cool. Add the blackberries to syrup, cook for 1-2 minutes and then cool.

3 Put four brandy snaps on a non-stick baking

tray well apart. Bake for 1 minute or until flattened out into circles. Cool on a wire rack. Repeat with the rest.

4 Drain fruit and simmer the juices (with extra sugar to taste) for a minute or two until syrupy and cool well.

5 Blend mascarpone and Amaretto until creamy, then spread over twelve of the brandy circles. Arrange four on serving plates, layer up with the fruit and the rest of the biscuits and mascarpone. Finish with the plain biscuit, a few pieces of fruit and a drizzle of cooled sauce just before serving.

Cookery Classes for all in Tangmere Why not give a VOUCHER for the perfect Gift Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk

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28 Local Charity

Making Time4Children Providing troubled children with a listening ear. By Lynn Smith

Many children find themselves facing issues or situations that they are ill-equipped to handle – issues arising through the upheaval of a family breakdown or parental illness, someone in their family is misusing drugs and/or alcohol, or maybe the child is a victim of bullying. Whatever the reason, children may experience difficulties in expressing their thoughts and feelings about these issues. Sussex based charity Time4Children (T4C) supports vulnerable and needy children who are unable to communicate their feelings and thoughts positively.

It was whilst working with Children’s Hours Trust, piloting a school listening project in Mid Sussex, that T4Cs founder Vicky Chalmers realised that there was little support for children who had suffered emotional upsets or behavioural problems and who needed someone to listen to them. Vicky, who had trained as a Practitioner of Non-Directive Play techniques and Creative Learning with The Children’s Hours Trust before becoming an Accredited Trainer, set up T4C in 2005, so that children could have the help and support of a “listening ear” when they needed one.

The charity’s mission is to offer an open ended session to those children and its methods are specific – T4Cs team of volunteers practitioners employ “Reflective Listening” and “Non-Directive Play” techniques, in

order to support and help children who are referred to t he m . V ic ky C hal m e r s explains Reflective Listening as, “ not asking questions, not even ‘have you had a good weekend?’” But instead, “observing body language and facial expressions.” Whilst Non-Directive play involves, “lots of toys, a sand tray and objects the child may not have at home.” Vicky finds that most children are drawn to the sand tray, and that they will often, “build their own worlds in the sand tray.” The volunteer practitioner’s role is to observe and comment on what the child is doing in a gentle, non-threatening manner; and the benefits of the techniques have been summed up in the comments of one T4C child: “When you’ve got so much going on in your head and you can’t work hard at school [because of this], having someone who listens and you can safely talk to, means you can go away and get on with school.”

Vicky Chalmers believes that Time4Children is the only charity in Sussex to provide a free emotional listening support service, offering long term one to one support for as long as the child needs it. Not only are the services provided by Time4Children free of charge, they are easy to access for individuals. A child may be referred by a teacher, nurse, family support workers, Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) or by the child’s parents/carers. If a child is referred by anyone other than his or her parent/guardian or carer then T4C will visit the child’s home to talk to the parent/ carer and obtain permission to continue. T4C’s sessions always take place in the child’s school and during school-time, with meetings lasting from 45 minutes to one hour, once a week – for as many sessions as the individual child requires. If T4C feels a child needs more than they are able to provide they will raise this with the child’s school and parent/carer and will help the child get the support he or she needs. Because sessions always take place within the safe environment of the child’s school only children of school age can be referred to the charity.

To a greater degree the work of T4C is confidential, however, should T4C be worried about something a child says, or reveals to them, then they will discuss their concerns with the school or parent before taking appropriate action.

through the door T4Cs volunteer practitioners may come from all walks of life and backgrounds, but an essential requirement is that they need to understand the emotional needs of children. In order to provide volunteers with a high standard of training, T4C runs annual Volunteer Practitioner training courses, the 2015 course admitted fourteen volunteers, all of whom would have gone through a strict vetting process, including reference checks, DBS clearance and GP clearance, before being cleared to work with vulnerable children. Not all of the trainees decide to become practitioner volunteers but may go on to become fundraisers or trustees.

In addition to the training course for volunteers, the charity offers a workshop for parents and carers, providing them with the basic skills of Reflective Listening and Non-Directive Play so that they can better engage and communicate with their children. All of which costs money – the cost of the 12-day Volunteer Practitioner training course and volunteer recruitment process is £5,000 and the charity needs £45,000 per year just to cover overheads, such as salaries and support costs.

(The charity currently has one full- and one parttime employee, the latter being part funded by a generous donation from Child Help Hassocks.)

Local Charity 29 T4C receives no government aid and is responsible for raising all of its own funds, which come from a variety of sources. These include local businesses – including a partnership with a local supermarket; fundraising events ¬– for instance September 2015’s Nut Challenge; and financial donations and other gifts – such as supporters developing the charity’s new website or supplying it with a new laptop. Recently, Brighton College has chosen T4C to be one of the charities it will support for two years.

However, the charity’s tenth anniversary, celebrated in 2015, is to be closely followed by the end of the five year grant awarded by the Big Lottery, which finishes in June 2016. The grant has allowed the charity to grow and develop and its loss leaves Vicky Chalmers with the task of filling a funding gap. Although the charity is well-known

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CHICHESTER LOCAL

through the educational system and by local authorities, it is hoping to raise its profile further and now has a Facebook page.

T4C has recently been awarded an “Approved Provider Standard” through the Monitoring and Befriending Foundation, following what Vicky Chalmers calls a “huge assessment,” likening the assessment process to “Offsted going into a school.” As part of the assessment, individuals from each level of the charity’s work were interviewed – a parent, child, school, inclusion manager, volunteers and T4C’s chairperson. The prestigious award aside, the respect that the charity is held in is reflected in the fact that two of its trustees are retired child care professionals, former SENCOs, and the third is an inclusion manager.

In 2015 T4C supported 54 children, all of whom benefited from the opportunity to spend time with a trusted adult, something that they would not have been able to do without the charity and its volunteers. In the words of the Assistant Head

Teacher of a local school: “… the children have shown increased, self-esteem, a greater resilience to change, or their difficult background, we have noticed an increase in confidence and the ability to make their feelings know and to manage their feelings better.”

01444 413893 / time4childrencharitygmail.com, www.time4children.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Time-4-Children-Charity

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Business Directory / Advertiser Index 31

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