Closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Wednesday 22 May 2013.  Date for interviews - Monday 3 June and Tuesday 4 June 2013.

To find out more about the process and criteria to bid for this fund you are invited to attend one of these 1/2 day workshops as follows:
Wednesday 5^th June 10am-12.30pm Crawley Library
Thursday 6^th June 10am -12.30pm Chichester, County Hall
Monday 10^th June 10am-12.30pm Billingshurst Community and Conference Centre
Tuesday 11^th June 10am-12.30pm Worthing Leisure Centre

To help you develop ideas, a business plan and a budget for your bid you are invited to attend one of these full day workshops as follows:
Tuesday 2^nd July  Bognor Regis, Salvation Army
Friday 5^th July Horsham, County Hall North

To book your place at any of these workshops please email social.enterprise@westsussex.gov.uk, indicating clearly the date and venue of the workshop you wish to attend in addition to your contact details (name, organisation, email and telephone number).  

Please note there is a limited number of places for these events and they will be allocated on a first come first served basis. These workshops are to assist you with your potential bid for the SEF and we look forward to seeing you then.  

You may submit a bid irrespective of whether you attend one of these workshops.

Interest in collective oil buying of heating oil is on the rise, as we become more aware of the need to be as efficient as possible with our energy.  The concept is simply to buy heating oil together to achieve the lowest price for the community.  Collective buying reduces the number of tanker journeys, bringing down the delivery cost, also saving carbon and minimising wear on local roads.  It also encourages rural villages to work together for communal benefit, and offers support and protection for more vulnerable or low income residents.

A document identifying West Sussex Local buying groups has been produced by the West Sussex district councils and Action in rural Sussex to provide you with information on local oil buying groups (also know as oil clubs, oil syndicates, and oil or fuel co-ops) across the County (see link below).  it aims to provide you with a starting point to help you assess whether you would like to join a buying group, and if so to decide which may be the best option for you and your community, or possibly decide to set up a group in your own community.

To download the list of West Sussex Heating Oil Buying Groups please click here.

A new book from Action in rural Sussex and Brighton Permaculture Trust, by Brian Short and produced with the help of the National lottery

This book offers practical advice on planting your own apple trees, on joining a community orchard, and on how to find and enjoy locally grown fruit, juice and cider. It describes how orchards can help to fight climate change while boosting social wellbeing and personal health, and provide a beautiful green place for people to enjoy.

The book is aimed at a broad readership including general readers, those interested in fruit growing and cooking, those interested in local history, community activists, volunteers, and professional growers. The book is exquisitely illustrated and would make an ideal gift.

To order our beautiful new book Apples and Orchards in Sussex, please send your details, and a cheque payable to ‘Action in rural Sussex’ for £17, to Anne Marie Bur, Action in rural Sussex, 212 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2NH.

ISBN 978-1-873850-23-7

For more details about the book please contact Anne-Marie Bur via email: anne-marie.bur@ruralsussex.org.uk

This book is a great introduction for children to apples and orchards.  It will make young readers want to plant apple trees, eat apples, cook apples, make apple juice and maybe even make apple monsters or an apple embroidery, etc.

To obtain a copy please contact the main AirS office on 01273 473422 or email info@ruralsussex.org.uk.

Welcome to our September newsletter. The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness arrived all of a sudden, and with it our beautiful new book, Apples and Orchards in Sussex. This month we feature two themes very close to our hearts: local food and rural community buildings.

Contents

1. Apples and Orchards in Sussex

2. Save Our Village Halls!

3. Local Catch

1.    Apples and Orchards in Sussex

Ever wondered who is growing traditional Sussex apple varieties such as Dr Hogg, Saltcote Pippin and Knobby Russet? Or where can you buy them, or get young trees so you can grow your own? The history of apple-growing in Sussex is rich and varied, and now you can read for yourself this intriguing account, written by Prof. Brian Short of the University of Sussex. We are launching the book on Apple Day, 30^th September, at Stanmer Park near Brighton.

Apples and Orchards in Sussex was commissioned by AirS and Brighton Permaculture Trust, with help from the National Lottery, in response to the current challenges facing fruit growers and fruit consumers – the disappearance of commercial orchards, the scarcity of heritage varieties of apples associated with Sussex, and the domination of our supermarket shelves by imports. After years of creating community orchards, we wanted to share what we know about our fruit-growing past and to look at ways in which people today might get involved in orchards both as a treasured landscape feature and as a source of fruit.

Prof. Short has trawled the archives of the Kew Gardens, the Royal Horticultural Society and local museums to build up a detailed picture of how orchards originally came to England and to Sussex. Oral historians have gathered the stories of people across Sussex with inside knowledge of fruit-growing in our past.

The book provides an overview of where we are now, and how we all can contribute and benefit from locally grown fruit in the future. Professional growers in Sussex are listed, together with details of where we can buy their apples. It also celebrates the current upsurge in the creation of community orchards, showing where they are, and where to learn how to plant a single apple tree in a small urban garden or indeed a whole orchard.

The book is aimed at a broad readership, including general readers, those interested in fruit growing and cooking, those interested in local history, community and local food activists, volunteers, and professional growers. It is beautifully illustrated and would make an ideal gift.

Apples and Orchards in Sussex costs £15 and will be available from bookshops, ISBN 978-1-873850-23-7

Advance copies can be ordered direct from AirS by sending your name, address and a cheque payable to ‘Action in Rural Sussex’ for £17 (inc. P&P) to:

Anne Marie Bur

Action in Rural Sussex

Sussex House

212 High Street

Lewes

East Sussex BN7 2NH

anne-marie.bur@ruralsussex.org.uk

Trade orders should go to:

sales@vinehouseuk.co.uk

T. 01825 767396

F. 01825 765649

2.    National Village Halls Campaign

There are over 10,000 village halls in England – 256 of them in Sussex. Each is a vital shared community resource, often for communities where no other such resources exist. Across the country, demand for the skills, experience and knowledge provided by Village Halls advisors such as our own Louise Beaton is growing – while funding is being cut.

Action for Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and its 38 member organisations, of which AirS is one, ask that you support the forthcoming ACRE campaign in support of resources for village halls such as those we provide through the Rural Community Action Network (RCAN).

Please write or speak to your local authority, your local councillor or your MP – let them know how you value the services we provide. Make sure they know that halls are normally 100% run by volunteers, and that hall trustees accept 100% responsibility for the building. Expert support in legal and liability issues, fundraising, planning, consultation and much else besides for such committed volunteers is essential.

ACRE believes that government, local authorities and others need to work together to manage reduced resources wisely and maintain RCAN’s irreplaceable Village Halls support service.

You can also email your support direct to us here at AirS via louise.beaton@ruralsussex.org.uk or to ACRE, who will keep you informed of progress on their campaign: villagehalls@acre.org.uk

3.    Local Catch

And finally here’s a gem we spotted in the Ebiz newsletter of Chichester District Council:

South East Seafood
South East Seafood has launched Local Catch, its seafood ‘App’, to make it easy for consumers and buyers to find the local catch of the day. Amongst other things the app allows seafood lovers to find out where they can buy fresh seafood and also alerts consumers with information about the latest catch, special offers and seafood events.

For more information and to download the app on to your phone, go to:

www.localcatch.co.uk

Tell us your news! Email emma.drew@ruralsussex.org.uk

If you no longer wish to receive this email newsletter please email ‘unsubscribe’ to info@ruralsussex.org.uk

AirS contact details:

Action in rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2NH

Tel: 01273 473422

Email: info@ruralsussex.org.uk

Website: www.ruralsussex.org.uk

Registered charity no. 1035401

Company registered in England no. 2907172

END

Contents

1.       Affinity Sutton and Airs: Your Bus Your Call project for Young People

2.       Young Heritage Task Group

3.       TIES Project: helping us to help you

4.       Action for Change

5.       Village Hall Workshops

6.       Alternatives to A&E

7.       Macmillan Welfare Benefits Advice

8.       Police and Crime Commissioner Update

9.       LEADER Grants in West Sussex and Lewes

10.     East Sussex Carers Survey

11.    Joseph Rowntree Foundation minimum income standards

1.    Affinity Sutton and AirS Partnership for Young People

Your Bus Your Call:

Health and Wellbeing Support for Young People

The Affinity Sutton and AirS partnership project Your Bus Your Call is a hive of activity, reaching out to young people and their families. With the support of Affinity Sutton, AirS is able to take our Youth Bus out across Mid-Sussex, offering health and wellbeing advice, support and learning activities.

We have held regular sessions for young people in Hurstpierpoint, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and at Downlands School, and have built good relationships with our young people. We have been working closely with them around some common teenage health issues, including smoking, alcohol, substance misuse, sexual health and keeping healthy and well. 

Our cookery workshops with Community Chef Robin van Creveld have proven particularly popular! Young people and others in the community have experimented with new foods and tried their hand at a range of cooking skills, and Robin helped people think about ways to achieve a healthier lifestyle. He has previously worked in numerous ‘deprived’ areas and was interested to discover how many of the same issues are prevalent in rural Sussex. Robin was delighted in the enthusiasm the young people showed for learning new skills. He says: 

‘I feel this project has worked exceptionally well and that the relaxed and informal approach we adopted proved most effective with a diverse group of participants. It was a pleasure to work along side the YBYC team - they have the trust and respect of the young people’.

More activities for young people are planned as the YBYC project looks to build on progress so far.

For information contact Lorretta Hepburn lorretta.hepburn@ruralsussex.org.uk

Tel: 01273 407319

2.    Young Heritage Task Group

We welcome to AirS new colleague Paul Fawcett, who will be taking care of our forthcoming Young Heritage project. Paul says:

‘The Young Heritage Task Group Project will launch this autumn. A group of around 20 young adults, recruited from local schools and youth groups, will volunteer with heritage partner organisations.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the year-long project will improve engagement between young people living in rural areas and our local heritage sites, historic collections and archives. The group will be volunteering with Steyning Downland scheme, Worthing Library, Pevensey Castle, Newhaven Fort and the South Downs National Park.

The volunteers will promote wider engagement with heritage sites and activities among young people, and will also gain with new experiences, knowledge and skills that can support them in higher education or in the work environment.

Stay posted for further updates!’

For more information contact paul.fawcett@ruralsussex.org.uk     Tel: 01273 407309

3.    TIES Project: Helping us to help you

As part of our ongoing partnership with 3VA, Rother Voluntary Action and Hastings Voluntary Action, we want to know what your voluntary or community group needs help with – the survey is still open, so do fill it in here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LKBWLM6

And 3VA are looking in addition at how satisfied you are with the range of existing voluntary sector support services available to you, and whether you have ideas for improvements. Fill in their survey here:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TZQCHFN

Your help is much appreciated – it means that from the autumn we will be able to come back to you with offers of support that are better designed to meet your needs.

4.    Action for Change

Our friends at Action for Change have asked us to pass on some information:

Lacking in energy, forgetful, depressed, unable to sleep, anxious?

It could be you are drinking too much

Action for Change provides a comprehensive service across the whole of East Sussex for anyone who is concerned about their drinking, concerned about someone else’s drinking, or is a carer or looking after someone who is an alcohol or drug misuser.

Our services are all free; they are confidential too (though if you or someone else, especially a child, is at risk as a result of your behaviour, we ask you to share that information with the correct authorities.

Our services are a mixture of advice and information, help and support, and specialist treatment. Some people only use our service once, some use for much longer periods - it very much depends on your individual situation.

To contact us, call 0300 111 2470 (all calls are charged at local rate, even from a mobile) or go online to www.action-for-change.org

5.    Village Hall Workshops

We are running two more of our popular Village Hall workshops, giving volunteers and committees the chance to learn about key topics like insurance cover and environmental health compliance, and to hear from each other about successful projects such as the new Community Café at Washington Village Hall.

Washington Village Hall, West Sussex, Monday 15 October 6.45pm to 9.30pm

Crowborough Community Centre, East Sussex, Tuesday 16 October 12.45pm to 4pm

To book contact harry.forster@ruralsussex.org.uk  Tel: 01273 407325

6.  Who do you call? Alternatives to A&E

The Clinical Commissioning Group for High Weald and Lewes-Havens are circulating consumer information on alternatives to Accident & Emergency such as Out of Hours Surgeries, Minor Injuries Units and NHS Direct.

If you can help circulate these leaflets more widely please contact Clare Potts, Primary Care Senior Support Officer: c.potts@nhs.net  Tel: 01273 485411 

7.  Macmillan Welfare Benefits Advice

Our friends at Macmillan offer a free, confidential welfare benefits and money advice service to people living with cancer, their families and carers.

Get in touch

To arrange an appointment, please contact: East Sussex Macmillan Welfare Benefits Advice Service at macmillan@moneyadviceplus.com or Tel: 01323 635989  

Further support

Questions about living with cancer? Call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00

(Mon to Fri 9am to 8pm)

Alternatively, visit www.macmillan.org.uk

Hard of hearing? Use textphone 0808 808 0121, or Text Relay

Non English speaker? Interpreters are available.

8.    Police and Crime Commissioner Update

We decide! Help shape the future of Sussex police

The election of the Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Police Crime Panel (PCP) on 14 November 2012 is approaching quickly. Major changes will come with the introduction of this new role.

Sussex Safer Future Communities (SSFC) is a network of Community Safety organisations across Sussex working together to prepare for the arrival of the new PCC. A VCS positioning statement is currently being developed to reflect the sector’s perspective. Don’t delay, get in touch through the email address or website below and have your say!

How can voluntary sector organisations influence decisions the PCC and PCP are going to make? How can we make the PCC aware of the issues in the Voluntary & Community Sector? Will there be opportunities to get funding from the PCC?

Now is the time to get involved because PCC candidates will be visiting local groups to learn more about VCS and their invaluable contribution to community safety. 

Need more information? Want to be part of the Sussex Safer Future Communities Network? Keep up to date by visiting our website at www.askcasper.org.uk/speakup/pcc and following SpeakUp on Twitter @SpeakUpForum

The Sussex Police website giving further information is here:  http://www.sussexpcc.co.uk/index.aspx

9.  LEADER Grants in West Sussex and Lewes

The Sussex Downs & Low Weald and Three Harbours & Coastal Plain LEADER programmes have now awarded more than £2.25m to help 122 projects supporting businesses and communities across rural West Sussex and Lewes District.

Grants for community projects have included £322,000 to help 15 village halls, £116,000 for community shops and £280,000 towards recreational and educational facilities. LEADER is now in its last full year of funding, so organisations with project ideas and interested in LEADER funding should contact the West Sussex LEADER Team without delay.

Contact Richard Chalk on 01243 756606 or rdpeleader@westsussex.gov.uk

www.westsussex.gov.uk/rdpeleader

10.  East Sussex Carers Survey

East Sussex County Council wants to improve services for carers around the county – let them know about your experiences and views here:

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/consultation/2012/carers/jointcarerssurvey.htm

The survey closes on 11 August 2012.

11.  Joseph Rowntree Foundation Minimum Income Standard

In case you missed it in July, the JRF published their latest report on the minimum income standard – what you might need to survive, according to where you live and your personal circumstances. Evidence of the rural/urban split in cost of living is stark: a young adult living in a villageis likely to require an annual income of £19,820. The urban equivalent is £16,383.

See more here:http://www.jrf.org.uk/focus-issue/minimum-income-standards

Tell us your news! Email emma.drew@ruralsussex.org.uk

If you no longer wish to receive this email newsletter please email ‘unsubscribe’ to info@ruralsussex.org.uk

AirS contact details:

Action in rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2NH

Tel: 01273 473422

Email:  info@ruralsussex.org.uk

Website:  www.ruralsussex.org.uk

Registered charity no. 1035401

Company registered in England no. 2907172

END

Welcome to our July newsletter. The news has been coming in thick and fast this month - thanks to the NFU we now know that inflation has hit rural areas harder than urban ones, a local MP comments on one of our community growing partnership projects with Brighton Permaculture Trust, plus a call for grant applications and more. Read on.

Contents

1.                  AirS Family Support: Job Advert

2.                  Village Care Update

3.                  Local Food & Growing Project – video link

4.                  Affordable Warmth & Reducing Fuel Poverty

5.                  Village Hall Workshops

6.                  Rural Inflation

7.                  Events in Chichester

8.                  WARR Partnership Call for Grant Applications

9.                  Brede Community Club 16th July

10.             Wealden Business Expo

11.             Eastbourne Youth Bank Grant Scheme

1.    AirS Family Support: COPES Project

We are recruiting a

Family Outreach Worker (Ref: FOW)

Annual Salary on a scale starting at £22,730 (pro rata for part-time)

Fixed term contract to 31 March 2013 - 21 hours per week – based in Lewes

28 days (pro rata) annual holiday and contributory pension scheme

Due to expansion we have a vacancy for an experienced family support worker in our COPES team in East Sussex. COPES is a team of 10 skilled and creative family support practitioners with the aim of enhancing the emotional development and wellbeing of children.

We offer regular supervision, good support, the opportunity for flexible working and a real chance to help improve the lives of vulnerable children and families through being part of an early intervention project.

For an informal discussion about this post please speak to Dave Ely on 07825 506653.

Closing Date:  Monday 16 July 2012 -  Interview Date:  Thursday 26 July 2012

This post requires an Enhanced CRB Disclosure and a full driving licence

We welcome applications from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.

For an application pack please telephone 01273 407314 or go to www.ruralsussex.org.uk

The quality of AirS’ work with families recently received national recognition on the Action for Children website: www.actionforchildren.org.uk

2.    Village Care: Caring Communities

AirS’ Village Care Programme supports rural communities to develop a wide range of projects and activities that improve the mental health and physical wellbeing of older residents.  Our team works alongside volunteers to set up groups and sessions such as gentle chair-based exercise classes, music and dance, and tai chi, with the aim of creating fun and social opportunities for older people. 

The programme is funded by East Sussex County Council and NHS East Sussex. If your East Sussex town or village is thinking of starting an older people’s project or you just want some new ideas, please contact:

Caroline Scotter on 01424 775400 or

email caroline.scotter@ruralsussex.org.uk   

3.    Local Growing Project

AirS’ partnership with Brighton Permaculture Trust is flourishing, and has attracted the attention of a local MP! To see how a community group took over some derelict station land and turned it into a Food Garden, see

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ayW9RW8cDk

4.    Affordable Warmth and Reducing Fuel Poverty

Interested in joining an oil bulk-buying scheme? West Sussex residents who don’t have access to mains gas supply and rely on oil for heating may be interested in joining a bulk fuel-buying scheme to help reduce the cost of heating oil, and lessen the environmental impact of delivery tanker journeys.

In partnership with the district councils in West Sussex, we would like to find out what interest there might be to either expand existing local schemes, or to join a county-wide initiative. At the moment this is just for oil but may be developed in the future to include other types of fuel.  

If you are interested in knowing more about the proposed initiative, or if you are already involved in an oil buying scheme which you would like to expand, please get in touch:

Rowena Tyler   01273 473422 / 07931 119907  rowena.tyler@ruralsussex.org.uk

If your district subscribes to the Rural Services Network, you can find out more about how fuel poverty affects your area by going to:

http://www.rsnonline.org.uk/portal-pages/individual-authority-homepages

5.    Village Hall Workshops

There will be an opportunity for community building committee members to learn about current issues affecting village halls, including environmental health and insurance requirements, at our autumn workshops – and an opportunity to look at new facilities in Washingotn and Crowborough.

Monday 15 October, Washington Village Hall, West Sussex 6:45pm for 7pm – 9:30pm

Tuesday 16 October, Crowborough Community Centre, East Sussex 12:45pm lunch for 1:30pm – 4.00pm

We hope committee members will be interested to see the new Community Café at Washington Village Hall and the newly rebuilt Crowborough Community Centre, both of which have received lottery funding. There will be time to share experience with other halls and ask questions about a variety of subjects.

There is a small charge per person. At Washington this includes tea/coffee on arrival and interval tea/coffee and will be £9 for AirS Village Hall service subscribers and £20 for non subscribers. The charge for the Crowborough workshop includes a light buffet lunch and will be £15 for members and £25 non subscribers. 

Booking forms can be obtained from:

Harry Forster 01273 407325 harry.forster@ruralsussex.org.uk

Bookings should be received before 5 October 2012. Confirmation and a map will be sent to the address provided.

Village Halls and the Big Society

Mike Elliott, Secretary/Treasurer of Fittleworth Village Hall, joined representatives of Village Halls from across the country at a tea party at the House of Commons on 16 May. The event was organised by the National Village Halls Forum to highlight to MPs the increasing challenges facing volunteer trustees running these important community buildings.

Key issues were raised by Mike and five other representatives from the Sussex Village Halls Advisory Group, which is part of Action in rural Sussex. Very strong pleas were made for continued funding for advice services to community buildings provided by charities such as AirS, which are under threat from cuts in funding. AirS now charges a subscription fee to halls but setting charges that are affordable for small voluntary organisations means they only part-fund the cost.

6.    Inflation Hits Rural Areas Harder

Thanks to BBC South East and the NFU Twitter feed for alerting us to this new research, which shows that rural areas have been disproportionately affected by inflation during the downturn – the rural cost of living is rising nearly twice as fast as the annual inflation rate, and that is in places where wages in local jobs are typically lower than similar jobs in urban areas. For more information see:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2168084/Cost-living-rural-areas-rising-nearly-twice-fast-average-inflation-rate.html

7.    Events in Chichester

There seems to be a huge amount going on in Chichester District this month.

On Sunday 8 July at 10am the doors of the new museum, The Novium, opened to the public for the first time.

Located on Tower Street in the centre of Chichester, the new museum has been purpose-built to show the  remains of a Roman bath house, which are now uncovered for visitors to see for the first time. But the Roman baths are just one of the many wow factors you will see!

You can find out more at www.chichester.gov.uk/thenovium

Celebrate the Big Month of history, culture and sport in the Chichester District this July.

There are lots of exciting events taking place this July, including the opening of our new museum, a free open day at Westgate, the Olympic Torch arriving in the district, and Love Parks Week.

You can find out about all of our events, plus other events going on around the district such as the Chichester Festivities and Tangmere’s Tribute, on our website at www.chichester.gov.uk/bigmonth

8. WARR Partnership: LEADER Grant Applications

The WARR Partnership still has grant funding available for eligible projects, but there is now very limited time for you to submit your bid. The closing date for receiving completed applications is 31 December 2012.

Spend on approved projects will need to be completed by 31 May 2013, to enable claims to be processed by 30 June 2013. It can take up to two months to appraise and approve applications, so if your project is likely to take more than three months to deliver, your completed application will need to be submitted earlier than 31 December this year.

If you have any queries, please contact Anne Crone, Programme Manager on 01424 787401 or anne.crone@warrpartnership.org.uk

9.    Brede Community Club

Brede community club is opening its doors on 16 July, 1:00pm-4:00pm, to raise awareness of the club amongst the local community, local organisations and voluntary groups and also invite potential volunteers. There will be a chance to take part in a free Healthier Lifestyles workshop, chat to the club members and staff, pick up a range of leaflets and enjoy a cream tea too.

All queries should be addressed to Maureen Distin, 07850 987130 or Bernadine O’Connell, Social Hubs and Activities Manager, Age UK East Sussex, 07850 987128

10.           Wealden Business Expo

Wealden Business Expo 2012 will take place on Tuesday 16th October at State Hall, Heathfield.  Further details are available on the website www.wealdenbusinessexpo.co.uk.

The online booking system is now open to non-members. 

11.           Eastbourne Youth Bank Grant Scheme

Eastbourne YouthBank is a way of actively involving young people in their

community by giving them a say over the way that money designed to

benefit them is spent. The money from this grant scheme comes from Eastbourne Borough Council and East Sussex County Council (Targeted Youth Support – TYS). Applications must be in hard copy and forms can be obtained from:

Tracey Johnson

Targeted Youth Support

Ocean House, 2nd Floor

87 – 89 London Road

St Leonards on Sea

East Sussex 

TN37 6DH

Tel: 01424 726086 (Direct dial)

Mob: 0777 540 6718

Email: tracey.johnson@eastsussex.gov.uk

Please send your completed application form by 4pm on

Monday 23 July 2012 – do not send applications by email.

Tell us your news! Email emma.drew@ruralsussex.org.uk

If you no longer wish to receive this email newsletter please email ‘unsubscribe’ to info@ruralsussex.org.uk

AirS contact details:

Action in rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2NH

Tel: 01273 473422

Email:  info@ruralsussex.org.uk

Website:  www.ruralsussex.org.uk

Registered charity no. 1035401

Company registered in England no. 2907172

END

Debate about the effects of policy changes and the recent budget is in full flow. This month we have news about how this is playing out both locally and nationally. We hope you find this newsletter useful and welcome feedback.

Contents

1.      Help from businesses for community and voluntary organisations

2.      Housing and Planning workshops

3.      Managing your village hall in a time of austerity

4.      What charities think about public sector commissioning

5.      Refugee Week event

6.      Speaking Up for Disability

7.      Start Up Loans for young people

1.    Help from businesses for community and voluntary organisations

We are pleased to be working with our colleagues in the councils for voluntary services and with others across East Sussex on the TIES project, to find ways to increase the level of support for the voluntary sector from the business community, and to enable businesses to enjoy the many benefits that such relationships can bring.

Please help by telling us what the needs of your group or organisation are, so that we can work with you over the next year and half to identify the sources of support you need. We are keen to hear from informal groups, formal organisations and individual volunteers.

Fill out the very short survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LKBWLM6

And if you are a business person – don’t worry, we will be wanting to hear from you too! Watch this space.

Thank you!

2.    Housing and Local Planning Workshops

Alongside the Sussex Association of Local Councils, we are offering workshops for local communities in planning and housing on the afternoons of 14 June in Billingshurst and 19 June in Heathfield. For full details of the sessions, times, cost and booking slips please visit the Training page of the SALC Website www.sussexalc.org.uk

3.    Managing your Village Hall in a time of austerity

Icklesham Parish Council has taken the initiative to set up a training event at Icklesham Memorial Hall, 10.30am – 4.00pm on Tuesday 26 June, with the help of Action in rural Sussex, in order to support halls in the parish. The Parish Council is kindly opening it to other halls and councils for a small fee towards refreshments and costs. Those who would like to attend are asked to contact the Deputy Clerk by 18 June.

For more information please contact either the Deputy Clerk, Jocelyn Cannings, on 01424 445974, email jocelyn.cannings@yggdrasil.org.uk or Louise Beaton, AirS Village Halls Advisor louise.beaton@ruralsussex.org.uk

4.    What Charities Think about Public Sector Commissioning

5.    Refugee Week Film Screening and Discussion

People Can will be hosting a screening and post-film discussion of the critically acclaimed Robert Mugabe…What Happened? at the BMECP, 10a Fleet Street, Brighton BN1 4ZE from 6pm-9pm on Monday 25 June. For more information contact info@peoplecan.org.uk

6.    Speaking Up for Disability

Nicola Benge is the new Speaking up for Disability project co-ordinator at the charity Independent Living Association. Looking at disability history in West Sussex through the oral histories of disabled people and their families, this project gives people the chance to tell their own story thanks to a £49,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The project is looking for participants to have their experiences recorded, and volunteers interested in oral history training to get involved. Take a look at the new website www.speakingupfordisability.org.uk or get in touch to participate or volunteer. Contact nicola.benge@ilawestsussex.org or call 01903 219482

7.    Start Up Loans for Young People

We saw this recent announcement of new financial help for young people with enterprise ambitions – loans of up to £2500 are available to any young person (18-24) wanting to start a business. For more information go to:   http://www.startupbritain.org/loans

Tell us your news! Email emma.drew@ruralsussex.org.uk

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AirS contact details:

Action in rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2NH

Tel: 01273 473422

Email:  info@ruralsussex.org.uk

Website:  www.ruralsussex.org.uk

Registered charity no. 1035401

Company registered in England no. 2907172

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