ImpactInitiatives,Sussex charitysupportinghealthy living

Supporting people living in Sussex to live healthy & fulfilling lives

Sussex Charity Impact Initiatives was founded over 40 years ago and has, CEO Caroline Ridley tells me, supported the people of Sussex to reach their potential and live healthy and fulfilling lives ever since. “‘Nothing quite like this has ever happened before’ were the words of the then Chair of the County Council as he addressed a conference at the University of Sussex in September 1977.” Caroline explains, “The reason for this conference was to explore the idea of creating a charitable body that Sussex could truly call its own through the participation and c ooper at i on o f di f fer en t churches, voluntary organisations and the local councils. “In the collaborative world we work in today it is hard to believe that those bodies coming together at that time was a first. The organisation that was borne out of that conference to ‘fill the gaps’ and ‘help the needy and dispossessed’ (not words we would now use) - remains today as Impact Initiatives.” Now working as an independent charity, Impact Initiatives supports over 8,000 people each year, through a team of over 90 staff who are in turn supported by a team of volunteers. The charity works with people of all ages across Sussex, the services are varied with a common thread of helping people to live healthy and fulfilling lives and reach their potential. Workability - supporting people with disabilities into employment for over 25 years One of a number of services aimed at Adults and Older People the Workability scheme has, Caroline Ridley explains, an expert team helping people with disabilities and carers to identify their specific skills and ambitions and match these to employment opportunities. “They then help people through the job search, application and interview processes and into employment that is realistic, focussed on their abilities, enjoyable and a positive experience.” “They told me I would never walk again but Heather at Workability had faith in me, not only that I would walk again but that I could work again” Workability user. Additionally, Caroline Ridley says, “Impact’s West Sussex Advocacy services have given people a voice since 1994 when the Grayling Well Hospital (now one of Chichester’s newer housing developments) closed, moving its long-term residents into their own homes. “We worked with 21 adults many of who had lived in the hospital for many years to ensure their voices were heard and they had choice in where they moved on to.” Since that time Impact has ensured that 1,000s of people with disabilities have had a voice in what matters to them including where they live, the support they receive and how they live as parents. The focus is on empowering and enabling people to speak up and live the lives they choose. Information on Advocacy referrals can be found on Impact’s website. Developing services to increase skills and, reduce loneliness and isolation Caroline Ridley tells me that over the years, Impact has continually developed services as the needs of local people have changed and this

was particularly apparent over the last few years when services had to be quickly developed through the Covid pandemic. Key being the ability to, “Provide and teach people how to use IT so they could maintain contact with [us], other support and their friends and family. Isolation was a huge issue for many and for more so for many people with disabilities as this was compounded by additional vulnerabilities, issues with getting out and about and less people being able to visit them.” This allowed Impact’s teams to keep in touch online and ensure vital support was in place and also to help groups set up online peer social groups, so they could support and give each other company. Some of these groups including the Self-Advocacy groups for people with Autism, continue online as they became a key part of people’s lives and continue to reduce loneliness and isolation. Impact’s Aspie Trainers offer training sessions to improve services for people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs); offering a range of training sessions to suit the needs of any team, organisation or individual working with, supporting or working alongside autistic individuals. During Covid, the Impact team quickly redesigned their training, so this could be delivered online. Other services include Ageing Well – a programme of services and activities for those aged 50+ living in Brighton and Hove, including support and information for people living with dementia, and Food Services working to make sure that nobody in Brighton and Hove has to go without food. 45 years on from that original conference Impact continue to ‘fill the gaps’ Caroline says, “We are now very excited to bring one of our longstanding Brighton based

Safe Hands

FUNERAL SERVICES LTD

Independently owned Funeral Directors in Storrington, bringing the best care and value, with kindness and compassion to families across Sussex and beyond. Visit us in our modern, inviting premises and we can chat through your options and discuss your wishes, allowing you to make choices that feel right for you.

We offer a choice of funerals to suit every need and circumstance from £1,495 fully inclusive.

You’re in safe hands…

Always available when you need us, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Forge, 38 West Street, Storrington RH20 4EE Tel: 01903 741444

Penny Strachan

Funeral Director

Not connected to Safe Hands Plans – We are independent family owned Funeral Directors

was particularly apparent over the last few years when services had to be quickly developed through the Covid pandemic. Key being the ability to, “Provide and teach people how to use IT so they could maintain contact with [us], other support and their friends and family. Isolation was a huge issue for many and for more so for many people with disabilities as this was compounded by additional vulnerabilities, issues with getting out and about and less people being able to visit them.” This allowed Impact’s teams to keep in touch online and ensure vital support was in place and also to help groups set up online peer social groups, so they could support and give each other company. Some of these groups including the Self-Advocacy groups for people with Autism, continue online as they became a key part of people’s lives and continue to reduce loneliness and isolation. Impact’s Aspie Trainers offer training sessions to improve services for people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs); offering a range of training sessions to suit the needs of any team, organisation or individual working with, supporting or working alongside autistic individuals. During Covid, the Impact team quickly redesigned their training, so this could be delivered online. Other services include Ageing Well – a programme of services and activities for those aged 50+ living in Brighton and Hove, including support and information for people living with dementia, and Food Services working to make sure that nobody in Brighton and Hove has to go without food. 45 years on from that original conference Impact continue to ‘fill the gaps’ Caroline says, “We are now very excited to bring one of our longstanding Brighton based

WHY NOT USE YOUR SPARE ROOM FOR EXTRA INCOME? HOST FAMILIES WANTED FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Joining and working with Guardians International is completely free: Best UK rates paid Out of pocket expenses covered All information and hosting manuals provided Hosting & child safeguarding support provided Free enhanced DBS checks included (over 16s) WHY NOT USE YOUR SPARE ROOM FOR EXTRA INCOME? WHY NOT USE YOUR SPARE ROOM FOR EXTRA INCOME? WHY NOT USE YOUR SPARE ROOM FOR EXTRA INCOME? WHY NOT USE YOUR SPARE HOST FAMILIES WANTED FOR HOST FAMILIES WANTED FOR INTERESTED? Email at hosts@gis-uk.com or HOST FAMILIES WANTED FOR ROOM FOR EXTRA INCOME? INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS learn more about us at www.gis-uk.com INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Joining and working with Guardians International Joining and working with Guardians International Joining and working with Guardians International HOST FAMILIES WANTED FOR is completely free: Best UK rates paid INTERESTED? Email at is completely free: Best UK rates paid INTERESTED? Fully accredited and validated by:is completely free: Best UK rates paid INTERESTED? Email at INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS✓ Best UK rates paid INTERESTED? Email at Out of pocket expenses covered All information and hosting manuals provided Hosting & child safeguarding support provided Free enhanced DBS checks included (over 16s) hosts@gis-uk.com or learn more about us at www.gis-uk.com Out of pocket expenses covered All information and hosting manuals provided Hosting & child safeguarding support provided Free enhanced DBS checks included (over 16s) hosts@gis-uk.com or learn more about us at www.gis-uk.com Out of pocket expenses covered All information and hosting manuals provided Hosting & child safeguarding support provided Free enhanced DBS checks included (over 16s) hosts@gis-uk.com or learn more about us at www.gis-uk.com Joining and working with Guardians International is completely free: ✓ Out of pocket expenses covered ✓ All information and hosting manuals provided ✓ Hosting & child safeguarding hosts@gis-uk.com or learn more about us at www.gis-uk.com Best UK rates paid Out of pocket expenses covered INTERESTED? Email at hosts@gis-uk.com or support provided ✓ Free enhanced DBS checks included (over 16s) Fully accredited and validated by: Fully accredited and validated by: Fully accredited and validated by: learn more about us at Int All information and hosting manuals provided www.gis-uk.comerested? EmailHosting & child safeguarding support provided at hosts@gis-uk.com or learn more about us at www.gis-uk.com Free enhanced DBS checks included (over 16s) Fully accredited and validated by: