Charity&Community News

Community news from across the counties

Two Velocity road patching machines are being deployed across West Sussex to proactively seek and fill potholes before the regular inspections by Highways teams. In the first four weeks of the 2022/23 financial year the machines completed just over 1,100 repairs. Over 60 disadvantaged children and families will receive help and support, thanks to a grant of £30,000 from Sussex Freemasons to the charity Family Support Work (FSW). FSW supports disadvantaged families and their children who live in isolated rural areas or deprived seaside towns in Sussex. www.sussexmasons.org.uk. Sussex homeless charity Turning Tides are hosting t h e i r b i g g e s t SleepOut yet on Saturday 18th June to raise vital funds to support the life-saving services they provide. Participants will receive a light evening meal, breakfast, and unlimited hot drinks before spending the night under the stars within the grounds of Worthing Football Club. Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship and can receive lots of support with this from the fundraising team. You can book your place online - www.turningtides.org.uk. Do you have 30 – 45 minutes available each week to make, from your home, a Teleph one B efr ien ding Call? These telephone calls are to people who say they are socially isolated or feel alone and who would welcome the opportunity to chat with a lovely volunteer. Calls cover hobbies, interests, memories and are focused on the recipient so require empathetic listening skills. For more information about this rewarding volunteering role, please email Deborah Hollywood, via sc-tr.voluntaryservicesbefriending@nhs.net or call 07435 732957 The West Sussex children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House, has launched a new challenge event – Wild Wood Swim – and is looking for participants to take on a 1km, 3km or 5km open water swim to raise vital funds. Wild Wood Swim is taking place on bank holiday, Monday 29th August, at the picturesque Weir Wood Reservoir in the Ashdown Forest. www.chestnut.org.uk. On 29th April, the charity Carers Support West Sussex, West Sussex County Council, local NHS, and partners welcomed more than 150 West Sussex unpaid family and friend carers, and health professionals, to the One Big Day event at Fontwell Park. The event was developed by carers, for carers and focussed on them being seen, heard, included, and supported in a world where finances are a challenge and systems, and services are stretched to the limit. Activities which carers enjoyed included reiki, satin hand moisturising, reflexology and mini-gel manicure, and an introduction to mindfulness, mini terracotta plant pot painting. Young carers aged under 18 enjoyed a dance and a film-making workshop. www.carerssupport.org.uk. 30 Days Wild is The Wildlife Trusts' annual nature challenge to do one 'wild' thing a day every day throughout June. Your daily wild activities can be anything you like - you might be having breakfast with the birds on Monday, feeling the grass between your toes on Tuesday, and watching wildlife webcams on Wednesday. There’s no set structure, so you can take part in a way that suits you. Anyone can take part, and on signing up you will receive a free pack in the post, plus lots of inspiration for activities. For details visit sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/discover/30-days-wild Building Heroes Education Foundation, a charity based in West Sussex, has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise accolade. Founded in 2014, the charity works with military service leavers, veterans, and families to support skills development, employment and new careers opportunities, specifically in the construction industry. Budding writers are being invited to submit their poetry and short stories for new books celebrating both East Sussex and West Sussex. The deadline is July 28, with publication scheduled for late 2022/early 2023. Email your entries to: tsaunderspubs@gmail.com

Storrington Defibrillator

Care South, a not-forprofit charity and provider of residential and care at home services across the south of England, has selected RAFA Housing Ltd as one of the latest beneficiaries of its Chairman’s 2020 Fund, awarding the charity £774.50 to install a brand-new public access defibrillator. The new defibrillator has been installed at Stanmore House in Storrington for use by the Sussexdown care home, the RAFA Housing Ltd retirement complex and the general public. Pictured are Nikki Magness (Care South) and Pat Glue (RAFA Housing). www.care-south.co.uk Free Parent Information Sessions

Storrington Parish Council are organising free sessions for Year 6 / Secondary parents in June. Staying safe online and in the community. Delivered by PC Sally Scott and Shelley Gosden (Horsham District Council) 16th/17th June from 9:30am-10:30am. Storrington Football Pavilion (to the rear of Chanctonbury Leisure Centre) No need to book - just come along. Understanding Young People’s Mental Health. A series of friendly, confidential and relaxed online workshops where participants will discuss the challenges to young people’s mental health, gain confidence in having conversations about how they are thinking and feeling, and explore ways to help young people with emotional difficulties. A number of dates are available , visit www.westsussexmind.org Understanding Teenage Behaviour A course aiming to give parents tips and strategies for improving communication and setting boundaries with their teenagers. 8th & 9th June from 7pm9:30pm (need to attend both sessions) at Storrington Football Pavilion. To sign up for the course email shelley.gosden@horsham.gov.uk or call 07734 231040 All sessions are being delivered as part of community development work that is being led by Horsham District Council, Storrington & Sullington Parish Council and local organisations.

Charity & Community News

Storrington Conservation News

At the meeting on 7th May the plan was to clear the Riverside Walk banks and stream for the benefit the Duck Race, but as there was no race this year, instead the group met at Hurston Warren SSSI to control invasive bracken, preparation of the site for sand lizards. The next meeting is on 4th June at 10.00 am at The Glade to carry out the annual path clearance there. All are welcome to come and enjoy fresh air and friendly company – and a break for coffee. For information about this and other activities, or on becoming a member, (no subscription is required, donations welcome) please call Chairman Mick Denness on 01903 745971 or visit www.storringtonconservation.org.uk Ashington Festival Princess 2022

The 2022 Ashington Carnival Princess was chosen at the annual Children's Disco at Ashington Community Centre on 1st May. There were a lot of children and parents that attended making a great atmosphere at the disco with all the children joining in with the dance competitions and dancing around the hall full of excitement for the lucky draw raffle. This year’s Carnival Princess is 10 year old Angela Collins. Angela will lead the Carnival procession at the Ashington Festival on 20th August and will be supported by attendants Ellie Willard (7) and Eleanor Durnan (5) plus pageboys Toby Utting (5) and Finley Pearson (5). The children were all chosen by a lucky draw. The Carnival procession starts at 1.30 and follows a route through Ashington Village to finish on the Recreation Ground where an amazing line up of activities and stage acts feature all afternoon and into the evening. There will also be the usual favourites including a car boot sale, classic cars, fun dog show, funfair and all kinds of stalls plus, of course, food and drink. See our preview in the August issue, and follow progress by visiting www.ashingtonfestival.co.uk