Community News and Events
Funds for Rural Rother
Friends Altogether in Rother (FAiR) delivers services to communities in rural Rother and has announced that they have recently been awarded £19,900 by The National Lottery Community fund. FAiR’s mission is to reduce isolation and loneliness through providing community engagement opportunities.
The award means their services can remain free for service users and will allow them to continue their monthly Tilling, Tea & Cake meetings and develop their new Companionship Calls telephone befriending service over the next 12 months.
At their most recent meeting, 34 participants heard about the opportunities to be enjoyed by joining U3A and also listened to Jeff Penfold speaking about the wonderful ‘Charity For Kids’. Five attendees received hand massages provided by volunteers from A Touch of Gentleness who support the group’s events.
The next event is on Saturday 16 November 10-12pm at Tilling Green Community Centre. Check the FAiR Facebook, Instagram and Next Door pages for regular news and updates.
A Chance to Remember Loved Ones
St Michael’s Hospice offers a chance to remember those we miss at their annual remembrance celebrations, Lights of Love in December. The events are open to the whole community to attend and provide an opportunity for those who have lost someone to spend time with others who are experiencing similar feelings at this time of year.
You are invited to decorate a personal star dedication for one of the Lights of Love trees at the venue of your choice. The stars can be picked up from any of the Hospice shops, over the phone on 01424 453696, or requested online at stmichaelshospice.com/lights
Tree lighting ceremonies will take place directly after each celebration, followed by refreshments and mince pies.
Cheryl, who attends Lights of Love every year with her family, says: “I’ve been attending Lights of Love since we lost our beautiful mum. It’s another way of keeping her memory alive and it is comforting knowing people are there for the same reason.”
Lights of Love celebrations will take place between 1-8 December at venues in Battle, Bexhill on Sea, Hastings, St Leonards on Sea, and Rye. For more information go to stmichaelshospice.com/event/lights
Raising Awareness of HARC
21-25 October is National Advice week, and Advice UK was commemorated by launching a new campaign: Advice Saves. The campaign aims to highlight the transformational work of advice-giving organisations throughout the UK.
One such local advice charity is Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC) which works hard to improve the lives of those in our local community by providing specialist Welfare benefit advice and representation, and income maximisation support. It provides a free and confidential service that aims to address inequalities, relieve poverty, and improve the quality of life for vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
According to Wendy Knowles, Development Manager of HARC: “In the year to the end of March 2024 we dealt with over 19,000 client contacts and raised over £6.2 million for our clients in previously unclaimed, enhanced, and reinstated welfare benefits and other incomes.
“We have recently invited Helena Dollimore to visit HARC to gain a better understanding of the vital work we do and ensure that our cause, and the need for our work amongst local residents, remains high on the political agenda.”
For more information visit harcuk.com or email [email protected]
ESC Helps Pensioners with Winter Fuel Payment Advice
Community energy co-operative Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) has launched a series of new community drop-in sessions at Hastings and Eastbourne libraries, as well as the Community Info Hub in Hastings Town Hall.
ESC urges East Sussex residents to check if anyone they know is entitled to pension credit, and (if they are eligible) to make sure they apply for the benefit before the 21 December deadline. The call comes in the wake of the government’s decision to means-test pensioners’ access to the Winter Fuel Payment, which last year provided over 11 million pensioners with between £100 – £300 in assistance.
For most UK pensioners, access to the Winter Fuel Payment will now depend on whether or not they are receiving pension credit. However, Age UK estimates that roughly 1 million pensioners who are entitled to receive it don’t currently claim the benefit.
Anyone wanting to check their eligibility can do so using Age UK’s free benefits calculator (benefitscheck.ageuk.org.uk/Home/Start) or (if they need further help) by ringing Age UK’s free advice line: 0800 678 1602.For days, times and full information about the ESC drop-in advice sessions go to tinyurl.com/energyadviceoct24
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