Charity&CommunityNews

Community news from across the counties

The National Garden Scheme (NGS) doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity, they are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. They also support charities and help community gardening projects. They have donated over £63 million to nursing and health charities and made an annual donation of over £3 million in 2021. Their core beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute. For more information and to view all the open gardens near you, visit www.ngs.org.uk. Nature-friendly road verges are helping pollinators across West Sussex. If you notice a verge with grass that’s longer than you’d expect, it’s likely to have been left to help nature. Inspired by the council’s Pollinator Action Plan, which aims to increase the number of crucial pollinating insects - bees and moths – this has become a much higher priority in recent years. Friends of South Downs are focussed on the pollution caused by plastic tree guards. On 21 May their band of volunteers collected over 700 plastic tree Guards for recycling in Singleton Forest in partnership with Forestry England. Details on: www.friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk/ban-plastic -tree-guards Sussex Search & Rescue, a team of volunteers that support Sussex Police in searching for vulnerable missing people, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award that can be given to voluntary groups in the UK. More information on the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and all winners can be found at www.gov.uk/queens-award -for-voluntary-service The end-of-life charity Marie Curie is calling on people in Sussex to throw a Blooming Great Tea Party in July to help fund vital care and support for those living with a terminal illness, and their families. Simply set a date and invite family, friends, or colleagues to tuck into a treat and catch-up over a cuppa. Every penny raised will go towards ensuring more people have access to the care and support they need at the end of life. More details at: www.mariecurie.org.uk/ teaparty or contact your local Community Fundraiser Clara Gill on Clara.Gill@mariecurie.org.uk / 07717 480602. Arundel & South Downs MP, Andrew Griffith, is leading a bid for West Sussex to pioneer trialling new acoustic cameras to catch anti-social road users in the act. The Department of Transport confirmed it would be trialling four innovative noise cameras across England and Wales. Andrew Griffith MP has joined forces with Sussex Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, West Sussex County Council, Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and local campaign groups, to make the case for a camera to be located on the noise ‘hotspot’ on the A29 at Bury Hill. West Sussex Libraries are looking for volunteers from age 14 up to support children with the Summer Reading Challenge in libraries. The ideal commitment is a minimum of 10 hours from July to September but there can be flexibility in choosing days and times. Young applicants could also use this volunteering opportunity as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award, (must be agreed with the library in advance). For more details and to apply visit www.westsussex.gov.uk and search for ‘Summer Reading Challenge volunteer’. S tu den ts from West Sussex Alternative Provision College (WSAPC) brought a sustainability and recycling stall to the “Goodwoof” dog event at Goodwood recently. Students teamed up to make a range of products from recycled materials, including dog toys, bandanas and waste bag pouches; they raised a total of £2,012 for WSAPC’s College Enterprise Fund. WSAPC delivers the equivalent of 292 full time places for children and young people from West Sussex who have been permanently excluded, those at risk of exclusion and those out of school for medical reasons.

Tapestry Day Club

The Tapestry Day Club is a not-for-profit social enterprise offering unique day support across West Sussex. Their guests, who are living with early-stage dementia and/or struggling with loneliness and isolation, enjoy a stimulating and engaging day of companionship, optional activities and a delicious home cooked lunch, all in hosts’ own homes, with transport included. The organisation has a team of empathetic and comm i t t e d h o s t s (pictured). One g u e s t ’ s f a m i l y member said: “My mum looks forward to going each week to fill her otherwise empty day with a reason to get out of bed, the excitement of meeting her new friends, the satisfaction of being well nourished without having to cook and the anticipation of a fun filled day. This is what keeps her independent and healthy in mind and spirit”. If you know of someone who might benefit from a regular, social, and engaging day out, you can get information is available on their website at www.tapestrydayclub.co.uk/a-day-with-tdc. Sight Loss Peer Group

A peer group for people with sight loss, living in and around Storrington, is encouraging people to join its monthly meetings to help retain their independence and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. The meetings, currently taking place over the telephone, are organised by leading sight loss charity the Macular Society, in partnership with members of the Storrington Macular Society Support Group. The aim of the group is to offer information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease –the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. Philippa Wrightson, group leader says “There are many people living with sight loss in the Storrington area, please don’t feel alone and get in touch with us.” Information 01903 743 182. Stories to info@sussexlocal.net

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Water Dam for Canal

In a first for the Wey & Arun Canal Trust a w a t e r-i n fl a t e d dam usually used to protect against flooding has been put to use in a restoration project. AquaDam’s SpeedyDam model has been installed at the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s latest major restoration project at Birtley, near Bramley in Surrey, where a lift bridge is set to be constructed. Volunteers positioned the sausageshaped device on the towpath in its rolled up state and filled it by pumping in water, causing the dam to roll out and push across the canal, much quicker than building one with material. The dam means volunteers can now dig a trench below the canal bed and build a temporary footpath and bridleway diversion needed here ahead of constructing work on the bridge.

3 Peak Challenge for Maxwell

Maxwell Smith is an amazing 10 year old boy from Thakeham who suffers from a life limiting condition called mitochondrial disease. He needs a specialist wheelchair to enable him to sit upright, move independently and allow him to light com- Maxwell with Darren pletely flat for emergency treatment. Maxwell is looking for as many sponsors as possible to make this happen and transform both his own life and his family’s lives. On 8th August, friend Darren Dumigan is taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge to raise money for Maxwell, cycling 450 miles up Ben Nevis, Skafell Pike and Snowdon. A sponsorship page is available at www.just giving.com/Darren-dumigan2. Stories to info@sussexlocal.net

Sunflower Memories

Remember your loved ones and support your local hospice

To take part in our Sunflower Memories Appeal, please visit www.stbh.org.uk/sunflower-memories. Alternatively, scan the QR code to find out more about the appeal.