The following article appeared in Sussex World on 27th March 2023 and we thank Jane O’Sullivan for promoting the event so widely:

On Sunday March 27 Holy Trinity Church, Rushams Road, in conjunction with the Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council and The Horsham Green Gym, hosted a very successful Tidy Trafalgar Litter Pick.

About 65 pickers collected a huge amount of rubbish. The areas shown in green on the map were all covered.

Two Beavers groups and a Squirrels group helped out, along with many of the members of the Neighbourhood Council.

The Horsham Green Gym helped enormously by providing extra picking equipment and disposing of the bags of rubbish afterwards.

The pickers arrived back at the church hall an hour or so later to be welcomed by drinks and home made cakes.

It was a very enjoyable community event which they hope to repeat in the future.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING
A REALLY BIG DIFFERENCE! 

This year, the ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ message was simple; join our #BigBagChallenge and pledge to pick up as much litter as you can!

#LitterHeroes responded in droves to show their pride in their communities and public spaces, and pledged to pick more than 400,000 bags. 

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who got involved – whether you picked up litter, organised clean-ups, or loaned equipment, your role in supporting your local community is vital. 

Every bag of litter removed from the environment makes a huge difference – to the environment, to our communities, and to the wildlife that call the great outdoors their home.

So far, The Homes for Ukraine Scheme has supported tens of thousands of refugees fleeing from war in Ukraine by providing housing in the UK.

Existing guests in the UK are not always able to stay with a host after the initial six months, and hope to find a new host to ensure they still have a safe place to live. Whilst many arrangements are made locally, West Sussex County Council aims to support guests and hosts with finding a new place to live in the county.

The Ukraine Support Team in Horsham are promoting the need for new hosts who can provide a safe place for a guest or guests in West Sussex. They particularly need to find housing for a number of larger families with grandparents and children.

Anyone in the UK can offer to host if;

They can offer a spare room or home for at least 3 months,
If they are not a British citizen, but have ‘leave to remain in the UK’ status for at least 6 months,
They do not have a criminal record

Anyone can record their expression of interest online through the government website Homes for Ukraine: record your interest or email ukrainesupport@westsussex.gov.uk and a member of the local team will be in contact for a no obligation chat about the scheme.

Launching Saturday 29th April 10am – 2.30pm at the Horsham Repair Cafe/Sussex Green Hub.

This month you can just turn up but from Saturday 27th May you will be able to book a 30 minute appointment. Following inspection, our bike repair volunteer Earl may need to give people links to buy components and then rebook for the repair the following month. 

Saturday 27th May at 1pm Earl will be running a bike maintenance talk, just turn up, voluntary donations welcome.

Repairs will take place in St John’s arches opposite the United Reformed Church. On the last Saturday of every month.

When: Last Saturday of the month 10am – 2.30pm 

Location: Sussex Green Hub is at United Reformed Church, 45 Springfield Road, Horsham, RH12 1PT (near Wilko off West Street and the Lynd Cross pub), bike repairs will be opposite in St John the Evangelist Church arches

Learn more here https://www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/sussex-green-hub/and https://www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/cafes-forums/horsham-repair-cafe/

We hope as residents you have enjoyed receiving your small packet of seeds with the Spring edition of the Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council newsletters this week – if you are not able to use your seeds, these would be most welcome for the Cootes Pond area and can be dropped at 2 Fairview RH12 2PY. Thank you!

Residents may also be interested to learn that they may apply for a licence to plant and maintain shrubs, flowerbeds or grass on highway land if it is adjacent to their property. There is no charge for this licence and the application can be found here.

Carers Support West Sussex launches new fundraising appeal to give young carers the support and skills they need to cope

Today, a new campaign ‘Give Back Childhood’ was launched by Carers Support West Sussex, a charity working in partnership with schools and local services to support 2,400 children and young carers in West Sussex – some as young as five.

A young carer is anyone under the age of 18 who takes on the personal, practical or emotional care of a parent or sibling who is unwell, disabled or has mental health problems.

The campaign is raising awareness of the impact being a young carer can have and raising funds so the Young Carers Partnership, who work with schools and local services, can continue to provide young carers with much-needed skills to cope through activities, holiday programmes and regular support groups.

Sonia Mangan, Chief Executive of Carers Support West Sussex, said: “Being a carer at any age can be lonely and tough, but when you’re a child it’s even tougher. Many children in West Sussex are missing out on the experience of childhood – swapping playtime and precious memories to take on responsibility way beyond their years to look after someone they love.

“Without support, the impact often takes a huge toll on young people’s stress levels, schoolwork, confidence and even career prospects. Our ‘Give Back Childhood’ campaign is aiming to raise funds to make sure young carers have the chance to experience significant moments of childhood – the fun, the hobbies, the exploration and the friendships – before it’s too late.

“These are amazing children, doing an amazing job and often very proud of what they do – but they deserve the time and space to be children.”

Amy, a young carer aged seventeen, has been caring for her mum since she was eight and attends the Carers Support weekly carer’s group: “The support I’ve had has been amazing and I have made so many friends who understand what I’m going through, throughout the years. The staff are there to listen to you, they can help, and they’re all caring. If I hadn’t had the group I wouldn’t have been able to cope.”

The campaign highlights the realities of young people taking on the role of full-time carer, part-time child and the urgency of ensuring children don’t miss out on their childhood.

Here’s how your donation could help:

• £20 could fund a young carer to attend a young carer group, connecting them to a network of peer support
• £50 could help us to identify and support a new child who is a carer
• £200 could fund weekly daytime holiday activities for four 8 to 11 year-olds

To find out more about the campaign or to make a donation, visit the Carers Support West Sussex JustGiving page atwww.carerssupport.org.uk/childhood

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*names have been changed to protect anonymity

Horsham District Befriends (HDB) is a new service in Horsham District, which helps support people over 18 who are feeling lonely or isolated, or have anxieties about leaving the house, by matching them with a Volunteer Befriender and connecting them to a community group of their choice.  

We know that loneliness and isolation can affect anyone in life, whatever their age and whatever their situation. It is possible to feel alone even if you have friends and family around you, sometimes it really helps to talk to someone new who can just listen and support.