Storrington & Sullington Wardens

through the door

57 Community

Storrington & Sullington Neighbourhood Wardens

Happy New Year! It has been a pleasure to meet and greet Storrington and Sullington residents over the past eight months and we really appreciate all the support we have received. In December we launched the ‘Our Village Storrington’ initiative. Having spoken to a variety of adults and children we identified a need for having safe places (sanctuaries) where the vulnerable could go, to feel safe and confident when they are out and about in the village. The scheme is simple but crucial. How does the scheme work? The scheme consists of key shops, businesses and community services that are a welcoming place for people to go if they feel unsafe or lack confidence. Those places will have an Our Village Storrington window sticker. What should people do if they don’t feel safe or feel vulnerable in the village? They should go to a shop or business with an Our Village Storrington sticker in the window. Staff members will take a few moments to see what the problem is as the person may just need a few friendly

words of encouragement or a friendly face to reassure them to make them feel confident. If the person clearly needs more help, the staff member will call one of the numbers on the Our Village Storrington card that is given to everyone who signs up to the scheme, and let them know that the person is feeling vulnerable and may need assistance. Even if someone doesn’t have an Our Village Storrington card the shops will still know how to help and will offer to call someone on their behalf. How does someone get an Our Village card? Anyone who may feel vulnerable, unsafe or lacks confidence in a village centre location can apply for an Our Village Storrington card from either of the Neighbourhood Wardens. Together we can all support and reassure those who may need more help in our village. Warden contact details Chris Poore: 07795 046743 Steve Christian: 07789 943201 storrington-sullingtonwardens@horsham.gov.uk