Newsletter 16/12/22
16 December 2022
Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.
Driving the Message of Dementia Support Throughout West Sussex
(Sent by Carers Support to all major stakeholders within West Sussex)
Fifty community transport minibuses and volunteer cars will be wrapped in Carers Support West Sussex and Alzheimer’s Society branding to highlight support services to those caring for people with dementia across the county.
This initiative was made possible by the West Sussex Joint Dementia Strategy to provide opportunities and services for people to live in inclusive and compassionate communities and to reduce inequalities.
Contact details for the two organisations will also be included on each community transport vehicle.
With rates of dementia in West Sussex set to increase rapidly, Carers Support West Sussex and Alzheimer’s Society have joined forces to raise awareness of the support on offer.
There are currently more than 16,000 people with dementia in West Sussex and this is set to rise to 22,000 by 2030.
The first branded vehicles will set off from Community Transport (CT) Sussex Crawley depot during December 2022. Matt Roberts, CEO of CT Sussex added “we are delighted to work with Cares Support West Sussex and The Alzheimers Society in getting their message of support out to all corners of the county using our vehicles and those of other local voluntary car schemes”
People passing the vehicles will be able to scan a QR code to go directly to West Sussex’s Connect to Support website, which includes details about accessing a memory assessment.
Carers Support West Sussex has nearly 30,000 carers registered, of which 5,200 carers are supporting someone living with dementia. In the UK, a silent army of 1.8 million friends and relatives save the UK economy £13.9 billion per year.
Sonia Mangan, Carers Support CEO, added “What great partnership work in guiding those living with dementia to the help and support available for them and their carers”
Caring for someone with dementia can put a huge strain on a person’s finances, physical and mental health, whilst straining relationships with other family members. An unpaid carer also needs support, so they can continue enabling their cared for to live well with dementia.
Alzheimer’s Society is a vital source of support and a powerful force for change for everyone affected by dementia. The charity provides help and hope.
Ryan Tyler, Dementia Connect Local Service Manager for Alzheimer’s Society in West Sussex added: “Caring for someone with dementia can be rewarding. It can also be tough and isolating at times but help is available.
“We want everyone affected by dementia in West Sussex to know that whoever you are, whatever you are going through, you can turn to Alzheimer’s Society for practical advice, emotional support, and guidance. That is why increasing visibility of our work locally is so important.
“Life does not end with a diagnosis of dementia and with the right support people can continue to live fulfilling lives. Carers Support Groups allows carers to socialise and share experiences. Often if one person is dealing with a particular situation or challenge, it’s likely someone else has already dealt with it.”
To find out more about Alzheimer’s Society services contact our phoneline on 0333 150 3456.
Update – Gas Network Upgrade – Portland Road Area – East Grinstead
(Sent by SGN to all major stakeholders)
We are writing to give you an update on our project to upgrade our old metal gas mains and services with new plastic pipe in the Portland Road area of East Grinstead. This essential work will ensure your community continues to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.
Following consultation with West Sussex Highways and at the request of residents, our contractor, 360 Group of Companies, have postponed work in Portland Road until after Christmas.
Due to this there will be some adjustments to dates we will be working on the other roads on the project. After Christmas we will return to:
- Complete work in Portland Road using two-way traffic lights
- Phase 2 – Hermitage Lane. From opposite number 46 to the junction with The Rise. From 23rd January for approximately 8 weeks.
- Phase 3 – Ship Street – Entire Road. From 6th March for approximately 10 weeks.
Due to the position of the pipes in the road, and to ensure the safety of everyone around our worksite we will need to manage the traffic as follows:
- Phase 2 – We will need to close Hermitage Lane to through traffic. There will be a signed diversion route in place. The existing one-way order will be temporarily lifted to allow access for residents and businesses. Additional signage will be placed to advise and warn drivers that traffic is temporarily two way.
- Phase 3 – Traffic will be controlled on Ship Street using temporary lights.
We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks, and therefore we only use traffic management that we feel is efficient enough to complete these works safely for ourselves and the public.
We’re writing to residents and other local stakeholders to make them aware of our project and explain the details of our work. Please feel free to also share this information with anyone you think may be impacted by our project.
Community Mental Health Transformation Webinar
(Sent by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to all West Sussex Town & Parish Councils)
Get involved: community mental health transformation
The community transformation will bring local services across Sussex together, including mental health, partners from social care, primary care, local authority, and voluntary community and social enterprise services (VCSE). The new services will be designed around the needs of the local community and developed in collaboration with the people who will use and work in them.
To keep everyone informed about these exciting developments, we have launched a monthly webinar about the community transformation programme. Open to all, these webinars are a great way to find out the latest news and updates, as well as an opportunity to ask any questions! The next webinar will take place on Wednesday 21 December at 12pm: sign up
There is also a monthly newsletter that you can subscribe to here, or for further details about the community transformation, click here.
Planning Application & Decisions
Mid Sussex Secures £1 Million from Shared Prosperity Fund
(Excerpt Taken From PR 2484)
Mid Sussex District Council has been awarded funding of £1 million from Government to invest in local parks, community hubs and youth employment support over the next three years.
The Government has introduced the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to enable Councils to support the levelling up agenda at a local level. Funding is being provided to support projects that boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards, improve public services, empower local leaders and communities, or restore a sense of community and local pride. The UKSPF succeeds the old European Union structural funds.
Mid Sussex has received a UKSPF allocation of £1 million for the next three years and the Government has now approved an Investment Plan submitted by the Council, which sets out measurable outcomes that meet local needs.
The Council is focussing the UKSPF investment on the improvement of local parks and community hubs.
The Investment Plan sets money aside to help Sussex Clubs for Young People utilise a refurbished and expanded pavilion at Barn Cottage Green to grow the community services provided by the Bentswood Community Hub.
Mid Sussex Voluntary Action will receive funding for the community support they provide from The Cherry Tree Centre in Burgess Hill, which includes drop-in support for Ukrainian refugee families and their hosts and digital assistance for vulnerable people to help them access health services, council support, shop online and anything else they might need.
Quarry Café and Community Fridge in East Grinstead will also benefit from the UKSPF allocation, with funding helping them to relocate to new premises and expand their range of community services. The group helps residents in East Grinstead and the surrounding villages by providing a low-cost community café where people can socialise and access support services, as well as a community fridge that turns surplus food into ready meals and shares them with local people in need of a helping hand.
The funding will also support the delivery of the Council’s parks masterplans to improve play facilities, sports provision and accessibility at Mount Noddy in East Grinstead, Victoria Park in Haywards Heath and St John’s Park in Burgess Hill. Grant funding will be provided to support events within the three parks that bring the community together and make best use of the facilities.
There will also be funding to support young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said:
“The Shared Prosperity Fund will help us to enhance our local area, build on our strengths, and ensure Mid Sussex remains a place we are proud to live and work. Our investment plan focuses on improving our local parks and community hubs because they make such a big difference to our quality of life.
“Public open spaces not only provide us with somewhere beautiful to relax and unwind, but they are also a hub for sports activities and are important places for people to come together and socialise. We’re proposing to invest in one major park in each of our three towns to ensure people right across the District benefit from improved facilities and an enhanced environment.
“Local voluntary groups also make a massive contribution to our local community. We’re so fortunate to have a dedicated and diverse army of volunteers here in Mid Sussex and this funding will help them to continue and expand on the excellent work they are already doing to support those in need.”
The bid was supported in Westminster by Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies, who said:
“I’m absolutely delighted that Mid Sussex will receive £1 million through the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund over the next three years provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It reflects the quality of our bid, and that Mid Sussex will be part of this important next stage as we look to level up the country. I look forward to seeing the projects brought forward focused around investment in community hubs, parks and events alongside additional support for young people who are seeking employment. I look forward to seeing the difference it makes to our communities and how this will impact brilliant projects and organisations who deliver great things in our community”.
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Parish, Town and District Appendices Following Meeting