Charity&Community News

Charity & Community news from across the counties

Steven Rushmer, age 17 from West Sussex has been given The British Citizen Youth Award. Now in its eighth year, the award honours 25 young people from across the UK who have made a difference in their communities and society as a whole. For the past three years Steven has given up his weekends leading up to Remembrance Day to volunteer by selling Poppies for the Royal British Legion. 4Sight Vision Support, which offers support to blind and sight impaired residents of all ages throughout West Sussex, provides specialist advisors who guide its clients through the process of identifying and accessing benefits and concessions to which they may be entitled. If you or someone you know needs support accessing benefits and concessions call 01243 828555 or visit www.4sight.org.uk West Sussex County County (WSCC) has renewable energy systems - including two solar farms and many more solar panels on its buildings - which generated more than 16,000 MWh of clean electricity last year. That’s enough to power more than 5,500 average UK homes. This prevented 3,700 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere compared to generating the same amount of electricity from fossil fuels. The Warmer Homes programme is still available to residents in West Sussex and aims to help raise the energy efficiency of low-income and low -energy performance homes. Funding is available for things like roof, underfloor, wall and park home insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, storage heaters and heating controls. Apply quickly so you don't miss out and please pass this information to anyone you think may benefit from this programme. More details at www.warmerhomes.org.uk/programme Applications are now open for children who start in reception at primary and infant schools in September 2023. The quickest and easiest way is to apply is online and the deadline for applications is 15 January 2023. Search for Starting School Places at www.westsussex.gov.uk. The next major fundraiser for Air Ambulance charity Kent Sussex Surrey (KSS) is Host a Roast in which people invite friends, family or colleagues in November to enjoy a roast and, through donations, raise vital funds. To find out more about Host a Roast or other opportunities to support KSS, please visit www.aakss.org.uk David Bathurst, author of several walking guides both local and national, has just written a guide called “Exploring the Bridleways of Sussex”. It is the definitive practical and armchair guide to Sussex bridleways which provide the perfect means of exploring the countryside. The book costs £15 and all profits will be donated to Friends of Sussex Hospices. David will be signing copies at Shoreham Art Gallery BN43 5WA (just by Shoreham railway station) between 11am and 3pm on Saturday November 12th. The Macmillan Cancer Information & Support Centre (Portsmouth) is for anyone affected by cancer, patients and loved ones. It helps with emotional support, counselling, financial advice, self-management workshops and signposting to other professional or voluntary services – all free of charge. The charity is looking for Meet & Greet Volunteers to welcome visitors in by offering refreshments and a listening ear to all that come through the door. If you have a friendly disposition, and want to spend some spare time helping others feel supported, then this could be perfect for you. If you can help please email macmillancentre@porthosp.nhs.uk or give them a call on 02392 283 323 for more information. Community stories are printed free of charge. Please email info@sussexlocal.net

Charity & Community News

Boxgrove Christmas market Sun 27th Nov 12-4pm Visit Boxgrove Village Hall for a Christmas market selling locally made gifts and decorations. Entertainment includes festive steel drums, Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Rock Choir alongside local community performance groups, children’s rides, Anna and Elsa festive photoshoots and Santa with his sleigh. Plus seasonal refreshments and a licensed bar. community@boxgrovevillagehall.co.uk “Talk to us” say Bognor & Chi Samaritans Around 22,000 Samaritans volunteers in around 200 branches support callers in significant distress. 7/10 callers said they felt the call had a positive impact on them. Levels of stress, anxiety and depression increased due to Covid-19, and concerns about cost of living are increasing levels of worry. Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit, or see samaritans.org Hidden Garden National Garden Scheme Award The Hidden Garden, a community garden in Selsey, was presented with an award by West Sussex County Organisers for The National Garden Scheme. The garden encourages people to work with nature and learn about growing fruit and veg and plants in their own garden. Contact Paul 07815 790770 / paul@selseycommunityforum.uk Not-for-profit Counselling in Chichester Chichester Counselling Service welcomes new clients for weekly 1:1 counselling. Counsellors can help with a range of issues and their counsellors are DBS checked and qualified or in the final stages of training. This local organisation have supported Chichester and surrounding villages for over 40 years. As a not-for-profit organisation, their fees just cover running costs. 01243 789200 or visit ccs-counselling.org.uk Christmas Cards now available to support hospice St Wilfrid's has 18 Christmas Card designs available. They have no foil/plastic on them to make them better for the environment. Last year they raised over £37k selling Christmas Cards, which could help pay the hospice running costs for almost two days. Please buy your cards in their charity shops or online stwh.co.uk/online-shop

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Charity & Community News

The Cat & Rabbit Rescue Centre Pet of the Month The Cat & Rabbit Rescue Centre’s pet of the month is a male guinea pig called Galaxy. Galaxy is just over a year old and has been at The Centre since April 2022 and has suffered with issues with his stools. They have now found him the right environment and diet. Their vet was unsure if his issue could spread to other animals so they decided he would be best suited to a home where he is the only pet. Galaxy enjoys human company and sitting on a lap. If you think you can offer Galaxy a home, call 01243 967111 or visit www.crrc.co.uk. Cards For Good Causes Chichester pop-up shop This year, Cards for Good Causes at The Old Court Room, The Council House, High Street is opening its pop-up shop with the help of volunteers. The doors will be open from 10th Oct to 17th Dec 2022 and will sell a range of Christmas cards and gifts, which raise money for charity. The full list of pop-up shops can be found here: www.cardsforcharity.co.uk/look-for-a-card-shop

With the help of supporters, Cards For Good Causes festive shops aim to raise £500k this Christmas in aid of 70 local and national charities. Open Studios 2023 registration 1-30th Nov Registration for 2023 Chichester Open Studios Galaxy the Guinea Pig (formerly the Art Trail) opens on 1st Nov and closes with last entries by midnight on 30th Nov 2022. Chichester Open Studios 2023 will take place on 29th and 30th April 2023. Gina braves the shave for Cancer Research UK An employee from Covers Timber & Builders Merchants in Chichester has raised over £7,500 for Cancer Research UK, following her own breast cancer diagnosis in March of this year. Gina Trusler, Administration Manager at Covers head office in Chichester, underwent a mastectomy earlier this year and took the decision to shave off her hair before losing it due to chemotherapy treatment. Gina set up the Bald Babes for Breast Cancer fundraising initiative, which has so far raised £7,532.