Welcome to Youth Work Week

"This week is Youth Work Week, and as well as celebrating all the brilliant youth work we deliver ourselves and with partners, we are planning to share snippets with you all week on this year’s theme “Youth Work in every place and space”.  Thank you for your year-round support, and please be in touch if you’d like to know more."

Adam, Director of Youth Work, TDC.

TDC are dedicated to supporting young people around the city with a wide variety of different projects that engage with them and meet their individual needs. Check our blog every day this week for a short blog post from a TDC Youth Worker giving a glimpse into a different TDC Youth Work project.

Find out more about TDC's Youth Work in schools and hospitals, our brand new Youth bus and our Turnaround project. 

 

How a Few Words Saved My Life

When Irene was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2020, she was so grateful for all her family support. However, she was even more grateful to the kind words of encouragement that prompted her to check her breasts.

 

A nurse prompted me to check myself 

I was initially prompted to examine my breasts after going for a routine smear test. Jenny, the nurse, asked if I’d checked myself recently, and I joked that, ‘I wouldn’t know what was a lump or a bump’. Being well-endowed, I’d just relied on routine mammograms to check for anything. 

‘Just check,’ the nurse said as I walked out the door. 

Later, I thought more about it. I go for smear tests and mammograms regularly, so why don’t I also check my breasts myself? I went for a shower and found a distinct lump straight away. Thinking back, I’d been feeling some unusual sensations in my breast, but I put it down to hormones. 

I was diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer in February 2020.  

 

Self examination is so important

If I hadn’t checked myself my I wouldn’t be here now. That’s why I’m a volunteer for Act on Cancer Together

ACT was formed to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms cancer in Brighton and Hove. It has also been promoting the importance of self examination and screening, with volunteers sharing their individual experiences of cancer.   

I will always remember that it was only because Jenny prompted me that I checked myself. If I hadn’t, things could have been very different. She might have saved my life.  

I feel that I can make my own cancer experience a positive one if I can help other people be more aware and encourage them to check themselves. I want to be that voice for someone else, the one that prompted me to ‘just do it’  That is why ACT is so important.

If you'd like to join Irene as a volunteer for ACT and help support local people with cancer prevention and support, get in touch. 

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Act on Cancer Together will be busy this month encouraging people in Brighton and Hove to examine their chest regularly for anything that isn't normal for them. To get a free monthly text reminder to check yourself text REMIND ME to 82228 or go to this sign up page and register for alerts. 

If breast cancer is found early at stage one 95% of people will go on to survive for 5 years, but if it is found later at stage four, this rate drops to 25%. This is why early detection is so important and why we are encouraging everyone to check their own bodies and go for breast screening when invited*. 

This month we need your help!  If you would like to help spread the important message about self examination then please get in touch at http://actoncancertogether.org.uk

Keep an eye on our social channels and share the message with your friends and family. Let's #actoncancertogether 

*Figures from Cancer Research UK

Our Summer Community Health Event continues in East Brighton.

The Community Summer Event at Robert Lodge was on a beautiful August day, with sunshine, food and activities in both the communal gardens and in the community rooms. This event was to celebrate the reopening of the community rooms, bring people together and share information around health and wellbeing.

Around 140 people attended and there was a great atmosphere. We had circus skills, dressing up, music, arts and gardening activities from different local groups and organisations, bringing fun to all ages, as well as a range of health and wellbeing information stalls and activities for residents. We had wellbeing offers like Indian head massages and hand massages from local holistic therapists, goody packs from the diabetes group as well as snack packs for families, a pamper hamper raffle, Act on Cancer Together stall, smarter uniforms and contributions from Mind and the Healthy Lifestyles team.

Gladrags brought nostalgia boxes for people to explore, Jay played the piano and people danced and sang! Young people made smoothies and graffiti inspired canvas with the youth team, littles ones enjoyed songs and storytelling with Adriana and Mosiac.

Residents also had the chance to try taster activities such as Chair Yoga, Gentle stretch exercise and Boccia.

People chatted, drank tea and enjoyed themselves; the community really came together.

Great Results From the Event:

  • Promoting the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund – a chance for small community groups and residents to apply for a small grant to kickstart healthy activities they want to have in their area. 
  • Get people's feedback about health and wellbeing in the area and let them know about the local health forum
  • Connecting residents and sharing information
  • Helping develop strong networks of residents and organisations working towards a more inclusive, healthy, happy neighbourhood

Highlights from the TDC Team

Seeing different residents have fun and meet each other while they showcased the brilliant stuff they have been doing locally.

Sara

Residents dancing with the Act on Cancer Together team to golden oldies!

Hannah

Getting young people engaged in the smoothie bike which was lots of fun, having a young person volunteer his time to help the event was amazing and he really got stuck in and the smoothies was a massive hit. Also just networking with parents around the area, letting them know what was on for their children.

Isla

My highlight would be the how popular the Courgette soup was, which was catered for by local Project, Feedback and Sussex Surplus, I was amazed how many people asked for the recipe as it literally flew out of the kitchen!

I have asked Ingrid and Phil for the recipe (if its not a trade secret of course!)

Claire

Introducing our new Youth Bus

We're delighted that our new and brightly-coloured youth bus is out on the streets of Brighton. The bus will be out and about supporting local young people as part of our detached youth work with Brighton Streets. The bus has been painted in an eye-catching graffiti inspired design created in consultation with some of the young people from our youth clubs. 

The bus has already been in use throughout the summer, including at Brighton Pride. 

Look out for us on the streets. And do say hi if you see the bus around and want a chat with a youth worker. 

Healthy Neighbourhood Fund 2022/23 Review

In 2022/23 TDC’s Healthy Neighbourhood Fund gave out over 90 grants, supporting over 4,000 people.

We supported local community partners to form panels and make funding decisions, giving support to projects right across the city. In each area local communities decided how the grants were awarded.

All the projects support the health of local communities. Many of them do this is more ways that one, but looking at the main focus of each:

21 will increase active living.
19 will support healthy starts for children & young people.
15 will support healthy ageing.
14 will reduce loneliness & isolation.
12 will improve nutrition.
11 will improve mental health & wellbeing.

If you would like to find out more about applying for a grant to help your community, get in touch with the Community Development Worker for your area. Contact details are included at the end of each section.

 

In Bevendean

Action for Bevendean

Friends of Bevendean School £400

Provide winter event at the school to bring parents, guardians, teachers and pupils together to provide fun and learning activities and reduce isolation in the winter

New Bevendean Chomp £400

Bringing food and activities to families during the holidays to help those struggling and on school meals throughout half terms and summer by providing warm meals.

Lotus Yoga £500

Low-cost yoga activities weekly in the community. Mainly targeted at older people (50+)

Bevendean Foodbank £500

Providing emergency food to local residents in Bevendean and surrounding areas.

On Your Way Job Club and Digital Inclusion £500

Supporting people into work and training, signposting to local services but aiming at reducing isolation to older people through digital connecting.

Bevendean Community Garden £500

Community food growing activities regularly, learning opportunities.

Very Local Food Hubs £500

Affordable Fresh food provision for local families under financial pressure over winter months.

Fernee Forest Club £500

Young people and children’s outdoor and forest school activities – for food, equipment.

Cooking with Carly £500

Providing accessible and free cooking workshops, in foodbank, community garden. Especially cooking with items provided by foodbank and that are usually underutilised but easy to cook with.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Bevendean  contact your local Community Development Worker Anke Thurm on 07449 464 695 or email [email protected]

 

In Bristol Estate, Whitehawk and Manor Farm

Due East Neighbourhood Council

Benditlikebuddha £300

Provide increased physical activity for older people.

Manor Boccia £300

Provide gentle activity sessions suitable for those 50+ or with mobility challenges.

Manor Xmas Event £300

To provide an event for children and families on low incomes.

Whitehawk Arts Collective £300

To provide opportunities for families to be included in the arts by providing art based activities for local children.

Hawks Community Cafe £500

To provide informal community space for children, families and older people to meet and socialise and get community information.

Making Our Mark £300

To provide art activity for healthy eating workshops in partnership with WCFP for young people.

Jasmine Club £500

To provide a community club and activities for a women’s 50+ group. The membership is primarily black and minority ethnic women, many of which are isolated and or suffer disabilities.

Diabetes Group £440

It provides a space for residents living with diabetes and other related health conditions to get together and share ways to manage the condition better and with more confidence.

People into Permaculture £500

Create a community and supportive network of marginalised groups which supports and develop individual skills of community members – we engage members from across out LGBTQI* and Disabled community networks.

Learn the secret £300

To provide a therapeutic green space for those suffering cancer and relatives effected by cancer.

Whitehawk Home and Allotment Group £400

To provide home educated families the opportunity to learn together to grow and make healthy food and learn about sustainability.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Bristol Estate and Whitehawk contact your local Community Development Worker Claire Burchell on 07089 829 734 or email [email protected]

 

In Coldean

Coldean Forum

Coldean Community Allotment £300

Community allotment. Grow food and tend the allotment.

Coldean Residents Association £300

Local Newsletter.

Coldean Women's Group £200

Monthly healthy living sessions - Health and Wellbeing.

Coldean ARC £300

Weekly community restoration of rare species rich chalk grassland by bringing people outside and up into the hills.

Coldean Community Organisation: Coldean Youth Group £227

Coldean Youth Club Community Garden - primary school age children, 4 - 11 years old.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Coldean contact your local Community Development Worker Anke Thurm on 07449 464 695 or email [email protected]

 

In Craven Vale

Craven Vale Community Association

CVCA Over 50s Group £500

For some years now the Fifty Plus Group has been running for residents of both the Craven Vale Estate and the Pankhurst Avenue Estate. Anyone over that age is welcome to join for a monthly activity (or occasional excursion), at the Vale on the last Thursday of each month between 10 and 12. Lifts can be arranged for anyone with mobility issues. It’s free, and a mid-morning snack is usually followed by an activity or reminiscences about last the century!

Food Bank £350

Every Friday between 12 and 1pm “Friends on Friday” Food bank runs for residents and surrounding areas. Providing food support in exchange for a small donation.

Garden Group £250

The Gardens group was set up to improve the new access path and block borders. They hold regular garden sessions where any residents can come and take part in gardening a making the area more appealing.

Soup Group £150

Soup group was an idea for volunteers to make soup and distribute to locals.

Gentle Gym £350

Gentle Gym provides physical activity for older people. Gentle Gym purchased a wide range of gym equipment which is now being used in the Vale Community Centre every Monday and Wednesday between 11.30 and 1pm by people who wish to have gentle exercise close to home for free.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Craven Vale contact your local Community Development Worker Claire Burchell on 07089 829 734 or email [email protected]

 

In Hangleton and Knoll

The Hangleton and Knoll Project

Hangleton and Knoll Yoga for Well-Being £468

The funding paid for 9 weekly yoga classes open to the whole community to access with no cost to participants. We worked with Brighton Yoga Foundation who provided the tutor, and all sessions were held at St Richard’s Community Centre as a local accessible venue. This project engaged older people and people from ethnically diverse communities.

50+ Steering Group and Film Project

The group ran three in-person film screenings of historic footage about Brighton and Hove (from the archives in Hove Museum) followed by a healthy lunch and group conversation, for local people aged 50 and over. This project also engaged 4 people living with Dementia with targeted promotion by the CD Worker.

Hangleton Youth Club £500

HKP Youth team delivered a weekly term time youth club at Hangleton Community Centre. Every Wednesday young people aged 13-19 have taken part in planning and organising their own activities. The group have tried new healthy foods such as stirfry, cooked up by young volunteers. They have been able to access physical exercise in the form of football, table tennis and Spike Ball games. Additionally, the group have been able to make new friends and relationships.

Benfield Valley Project £379.29

The grant enabled the group to hold a nature event at the Benfield Valley to encourage the community to connect with nature and utilise the space though activities.

HKP Youth Team - Safe Out in the Summer Project £500

As part of the HKP Youth summer programme we ran open access youth sessions in Hangleton for ages 11-19 (25 with SEND. As part of the project young people took part in sports, music and arts activities to keep healthy, make friends and connect over summer. In addition, a community arts project to redesign the old basketball court took places over two days lead by a local graffiti artist.

Hangleton Community Centre Fun Day £365

This grant paid for a free fun day for the local community, with bouncy castle, face painting, Arts and crafts and smoothie bike. The whole event was free including refreshments.

Egyptian Coptic Group Cookery Classes £487.71

The group ran a regular program of cooking classes in Hangleton community centre covering everything from patisserie to fermentation. mainly Italian and Egyptian food.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Hangleton and Knoll contact the Hangleton and Knoll Project

 

In Hollingbury

Old Boat Community Association

Older People Activities Group £250

Try new activities for group of older people (50+) at Old Boat – marmalade making, line dancing, seated yoga, trip to One Garden.

30th Brighton Scout Group £200

To subsidise costs for an Easter trip for 10–14-year-olds.

EDGE £200

Host a dinner at a restaurant for people living with disabilities. The group runs regular activities, this is a one-off trip.

7th Hollingbury Patcham Brownies £200

Water and sports activities for young girls during the holiday.

B-RIGHT-ON Basketball Club £200

School holiday basketball camps to subsidise costs for kids from low income households

Carden Primary School PTA £200

To help breakfast club at school, to make sure young primary school kids get breakfast.

In Mind Memory Cafe Group £250

To provide a safe, welcoming space for people with early onset dementia and mild to moderate dementia and their carers. To run meaningful activities, including arts and crafts sessions on a weekly basis To build a dementia friendly community and a place for carers to have some time out.

5th Patcham Brownies £200

Holiday adventure for young people aged 7–10-year-old girls.

5th Patcham Guides £200

Overnight camp and activities for girls 10-14 years old attending guides group. Costs will be reduced and made more affordable.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Hollingbury contact your local Community Development Worker Anke Thurm on 07449 464 695 or email [email protected]

 

In Hollingdean

Hollingdean Development Trust

Lindfield Court Gardening Group £191

Weekly group run by residents at Lindfield Court - a Sheltered Accommodation scheme for people over 65.

Growing Our Community £500

We want to increase the number of people actively involved in growing food and gardening in Hollingdean, particularly on the estate.

Active Living Listing Hollingdean £500

Hollingdean News - single full page in each issue to be a dedicated sports and healthy-living activities listings.

Cook Around the Community £498

Introduction to budget cookery course - Cook and Eat sessions.

Hollingdean Wednesdays £476

Hollingdean Wednesdays - cooking & eating sessions, workshops to sing and play music together and poetry & creative writing workshops.

The Hollingdean Yoga Group £500

Low cost, inclusive and friendly Yoga class to residents in Hollingdean.

What is Normality? A Laburnum Grove Art Group Project £487

Weekly tutor led art group. Engaging wider older community in art sessions at Laburnum Grove - a Sheltered Accommodation scheme for people over 65.

Healing With Music £490

Free mutual support groups for people who want to learn and play guitar together to alleviate isolation, anxiety and stress.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Hollingdean contact your local Community Development Worker Anke Thurm on 07449 464 695 or email [email protected]

 

In Moulsecoomb and Bates Estate

Moulsecoomb Local Action Team

Noor-ul Huda £300

Fortnightly Sunday sessions for Muslim mums and children with tea & snacks, space to talk, play and seek advice and fun activities.

Communitas Dance £300

New Latin dance workshops for all abilities and ages.

Moulsecoomb and Bevendean Arts and Crafts Groups £300

Fortnightly arts & crafts groups that enables people to try out new skills/art forms given by qualified tutors.

26th Boys Brigade and Girls Association £300

Free activities for 4–11-year-olds. The funding is especially to purchase equipment for 16 children with additional needs (headphones, specially tailored games).

Sunflower Support Group £300

Bringing together local parents of children with additional needs monthly for peer and service support. In partnership with Amaze.

High Bevendean Advent Window Trail £150

Winter window trail in Moulsecoomb during advent with involvement of community.

Raj Community Acupuncture £250

Low-cost acupuncture for local and older people in the community

Bevy Seniors Club £150

50+ Lunch club at the Bevy every Friday. With activities.

Flamenco and Spanish Group £300

Weekly Flamenco sessions to increase physical activities and dance skills, mainly to older generations.

Broadfields Community Group £300

Weekly coffee morning at Broadfields Supported Housing for older people with arts & crafts.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Moulsecoomb and Bates Estate contact your local Community Development Worker Anke Thurm on 07449 464 695 or email [email protected]

 

In Pankhurst Area

Pankhurst Area Community Association

The World Food Project £500

Soup corner at the pantry. The project ran for 8 weeks before Christmas and provided healthy soup and fresh bread to everyone who attended the weekly Pankhurst Pantry sessions.

Christmas Event £500

Christmas community event.

Pankhurst Pantry £350

Pankhurst Pantry, weekly social supermarket - provision of additional healthy snacks for school age children.

Community Gardening £80

Community gardening.

Older People's Group for Craven Vale and Pankhurst

Older peoples group for CV & Pankhurst - monthly older people's group.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Pankhurst Area contact your local Community Development Worker Ceza da Luz on 07366605790 or email [email protected]

 

 

In Portland Road

West Hove Forum

Friends of Davis Park £500

To contribute towards the cost of a new bench as part of our sensory garden project. The park is a peaceful space and is much enjoyed by local residents and other visitors. We feel an additional bench would be welcomed by all park users but particularly older people who regularly visit.

At present there are just two benches on the north side of the park and both are in direct sunlight. We think this bench would help to make the park more welcoming and accessible, particularly in the summer, to people who may wish to enjoy the peace of the park while resting out of the strong sunshine.

Friends of Hove Lagoon £500

To install a bench by the north-west Hove Lagoon pavilion overlooking the garden, to provide peace and quiet for visitors and a temporary resting place for volunteer gardeners. It would be located under the eaves of the pavilion, in the shade and sheltered from the wind and rain. To plant a row of spring bulbs beneath the boundary hedge at the north of the Lagoon, at a bulb planting day with refreshments. To buy some edging and weeding tools, which would cost around.

Friends of West Hove Infant School £500

The site of the former swimming pool at West Hove Infant School has been made into a greener space called “Saplings” for the children to experience a different type of learning. The swimming pool was filled in with concrete and fenced off. Contractors built a cabin, a log path and log circle, with raised planters, a mucky kitchen and bug hotels etc. It encourages the teaching of nature study, outdoor skills, growing and planting. Parents are also involved in activities there after school. It’s been up and running for a year and is used by all the children in the school. The group would like funding to make it slightly larger and create more vegetable beds. They also want to have a tarpaulin on wooden posts to provide shade and shelter, as well as improving access. The quotes from the original contractors were the best value for money and the work would be done at a slightly reduced rate.

The Secret Garden £500

The Secret Garden has been going since 2014 and this year has been probably the most challenging. There has been a high level of vandalism, which is an ongoing
issue, and they’ve had to shut the garden outside working times, which is a real shame as they used to get over 100 visitors during the week. The group would like to apply for £500 towards repairing the damage and working on the pond, and ongoing planting and maintenance work in the garden. There are 9-15 volunteers who work in the garden every
weekend. The pond project still needs to be completed - that’s the area that got the most vandalism. The apiary needs to be refurbished. The trees are quite high now and need to be cut back to improve the sunlight.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Portland Road contact your local Community Development Worker Amy Allison on 07477 972 455 or email [email protected]

 

In Portslade

Portslade Community Forum

Sudanese Society in Brighton and Hove £500

Football tournament for members of the Sudanese community. 8 teams from different neighbourhoods including Portslade. To bring together members of the Sudanese community to help emphasise the importance of teamwork. Many of the beneficiaries are refugees and asylum seekers who are battling with trauma and loss. The football tournament will encourage connection in a positive and fun activity.

Portslade Women Wellbeing £500

8-week women only wellbeing group that will include gentle exercise (qigong) plus a breathing exercise for overall health and energy. Each session will end with a healthy herbal tea and time to chat.

Sanctuary £500

A weekly opportunity to gather with others and improve and maintain health. Includes a mix of gentle movement, awareness and guided meditation practices which is suitable for all ages but particularly older people. Need funds for venue hire and portable speaker.

Portslade and Mile Oak over 50's Friendship Group £200

Purchase a kodak camera and film to use at the 50 plus group coronation event. The camera will be used to create ‘memory cards’ which members can take home with them as a memento. Several members have dementia or Alzheimer's so creating memory cards will be extra special for them particularly as physical photos aren’t
used much anymore. The camera will also be used to take photos for future publicity and at other events and the monthly group sessions

Fresh Start Portslade £380

Provide a gardening project for Portslade residents by recreating a medieval/Tudor herb and medicinal garden at Portslade medieval manor ruins. The project plans to include sessions dedicated to older people, school children and local residents. The funding will pay towards building the herb garden and buying the plants which will be a mix of young plants and seeds.

Recstravaganza at Victoria Park £400

A poster competition and park event for young families.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Portslade contact your local Community Development Worker Amy Allison on 07477 972 455 or email [email protected]

 

In Tarner and Eastern Road

Albion Community Forum

Dorset Mews Residents Association £500

Greening the Dorset Mews Community Garden

Exploring Senses CIC £500

3D Pen Club for young people.

Fibroflys £500

Support for people living with Fibromyalgia -Food diaries and support groups sessions for members.

Leah Court Social £500

Christmas Events and trips for older residents.

Martlets Court Residents £500

Seated Yoga for Older residents.

Millwood Community Centre £500

Four weekly drop-ins over winter with games, toys, hot soup and drinks provided and information about local services and community information.

Patching Lodge Social Committee £500

Movement to Music – Chair based exercise for older people.

People into Permaculture £500

‘Grow Your Life’ - a peer support project using the principles of Permaculture to create a community of marginalised groups i.e., LGBTQI* or people with a disability with the aim of developing individual skills and mutual support.

Tarner Community Project £500

Environmental improvement and Young People working together on a creative project.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Tarner and Eastern Road contact your local Community Development Worker Ceza da Luz on 07366605790 or email [email protected]

 

In Woodingdean

Woodingdean Community Association

Winter Warmers Reminiscence Group £250

Xmas card making and a Xmas tea party with activities.

Woodingdean Community Association Volunteers £250

Levelling & concreting a path between two greenhouses at the Centre.

Woodingdean Wilderness Group £250

Wilder Woodingdean Community Meeting.

Brighton Choir £250

The purchase of 25 new music folders replacing the old ones.

WCA Food Hub £900

Secure food storage and packs for meals for food hub users. Provide 24+ families of 4, The choice of 4 types of meals, put into kits with recipe sheets.

To apply to the next round of the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund in Woodingdean contact your local Community Development Worker Claire Burchell on 07089 829 734 or email [email protected]

Our Summer Community Event in Moulsecoomb and Bevendean Brings Everyone Together

On Saturday July 22nd Moulsecoomb Local Action Team and Action on Bevendean supported by TDC, ran a Sumer Health Event for the local community. It was the first time for both local action teams to do a joint event covering both Moulsecoomb and Bevendean and was a chance for the local community to get together and find out about all the great activities happening in their area.  

The event was held at Moulsecoomb Hall, the library and the green on Moulsecomb Place. The day was a great success, with around 200 people enjoying the welcoming atmosphere, the entertainment and vital health information.

We had stalls and activities running for most of the local Healthy Neighbourhood funded groups, including the Good News Shed, Bevendean Foodbank, Sunflower SEN support group with Amaze and Communitas Dance Group, who showcased a great contemporary dance about community. The Moulsecoomb & Bevendean Arts & Crafts Project made masks with children in the library, the Flamenco dance group did a performance, the local affordable Lotus Yoga group ran yoga classes, Bevendean Community Garden did some gardening sessions.

Two local groups catered for the event with yummy food, and we had the smoothie bike up and running with support from Bevendean & Moulsecoomb Chomp groups. Fairshare, The Aquifer Partnership, Albion in the Community, Healthy Lifestyle Team, and public health information services including Bowel Cancer Screening, ACT on Cancer Together and blood pressure monitoring. Moulsecoomb Library ran their summer reading challenge, signing up more readers in one day than over the whole summer usually, and MOSAIC popped along for some fantastic story telling.  The newly elected councillors for the area came by as well to get to know more about the community. 

There was also a chance to win a pamper hamper worth over £100. 

Family entertainment was provided with a face painter, magician, chicken handling, the local fire services with the fire engine and football, and children’s games on the lawns. 

All in all it was a huge success for the community coming together, locals finding out what’s on in their area and gaining support, plus the providers networking and helping their groups become more known about. We also advertised the next rounds of Healthy Neighbourhood Funding for small local community groups in Moulsecoomb & Bevendean. You can find out more by contacting Esme Young [email protected] /07367360134 

One local person commented

Just wanted to say a big well done for all those who made the do at Moulsecoomb Hall such a warm and welcoming event. You should be proud of yourselves. It was really interesting to hear what all the local groups and partnerships do too, directly from the people that work for them.

Brighton and Hove’s Amazing Volunteers

We couldn't do what we do without volunteers supporting our work. Today we'd like to take a moment to thank some of them, and also to pay tribute to all the volunteers who work across Brighton and Hove.

We owe so much to the volunteers who work with TDC and all the volunteers that support our partner organisations and the community groups we work with. They are simply essential to our work tackling inequality in Brighton and Hove. There is no TDC without them. Everyone is important and everyone is included. 

"Thank you to Lee and the other community members who volunteered their time to beautify the new path and the green spaces on the Craven Vale estate. The seasonal changes in the flowers have brought the residents much joy."

George
Youth and Community Worker 

From all of us at TDC, thank you Lee and all the Craven Vale volunteers

"I would like to highlight the work of the Due East Brighton Trustees in Whitehawk during volunteer week.  They really stepped up to the plate and supported 2 new groups to apply for funding and held it for them as they didn’t have bank accounts. This would have been a massive barrier to running their needed activities for older people and children and families.  Both these groups are thriving with your support.

You went further and supported groups with donations towards their activities and events which were so needed last year to help people reconnect in green spaces.   A special thank you must go to Patrick and Mouyor who volunteered to do the catering at several events, your BBQ skills are something to behold and watching you catering for over 150 people was a learning curve!

The Trustees also held Healthy Neighbourhood Funding and gave small grants to local groups to support run activities to lessen isolation and funded a new East Brighton Directory of activities so residents across the area could have improved access to information and support.  Without your help many of these things might not have happened.   Sometimes, I don’t think you realise how instrumental you are locally, so I wanted to make sure you all received a very big thank you during volunteers week."

Claire Burchell
Community Development Manager

From all of us at TDC, thank you to the Due East Trustees

"We love the commitment and energy volunteers bring to youth sessions in the TDC Youth Team. Recently we have been super lucky to have some amazing volunteers supporting our youth sessions and we wanted to give them a shout out for Volunteers Week

Abi Angus supported our Curiosity Project in Whitehawk helping the young people to learn about science and technology and how we use them in the real world. Abi has also supported the Youth Wise event we had in February, getting young peoples opinions about the Cost of Living Crisis.

Matilda Bacon and Lucy Culham joined us from the University of Brighton for 3 months and got involved with a variety of work in the Youth Team. They joined in youth sessions in Moulsecoomb, Woodingdean and Whitehawk and also were a massive help on the Hospital Youth Work Project as they put together information and support packs for young people referred to the project.

Lauran Kinsey is our newest recruit. Having come to youth projects for the past 3 years, Lauran has now turned 18 and is learning the role of Young Leader with our youth session on the Bristol Estate."

 

Caroline Vitta 
Senior Youth Work Manager  

From all of us at TDC, thank you to Abi, Lucy, Matilda and Lauren

"I would like to thank the whole Hawks 50+ group for all your invaluable volunteering at the group in helping the group run smoothly. It's been an absolute pleasure working with you all."

Anita
Project SupportWorker

From all of us at TDC, thank you to the HAWKS 50+ Group

"Sami Ahmed started volunteering with the TDC Youth Team in February this year.  His first youth club session was making pancakes with the Junior Group at Woodingdean Youth Centre he did a brilliant job (at helping the young people cook and at dealing with their banter!).  Sami works at the Junior Youth Group every Tuesday and on Thursdays he works on the MY G (Moulsecoomb Young Mens Group). He has been a brilliant asset to our teams with his get stuck in attitude, humour and friendly nature.

We were really proud to read about his recent project ‘Do they Know It’s Eid’ and so wanted to give it a little shoutout. The project set out to deliver meals to homeless charities over Eid. What a fantastic idea! Read about it in here.

You can also follow the project on Instagram or Twitter"

Caroline Vitta 
Senior Youth Work Manager  

From all of us at TDC, thank you to Sami

"A big thank you to Katie, Olga and Christine for volunteering at St Cuthmans with the translation in Arabic, Ukranian and Russian. Your help has been truly invaluable. You have also been a hugh help gathering all the people in for the ESOL classes in the Hawks at Whitehawk library."

Anita
Community Development Worker

From all of us at TDC, thank you to Katie, Olga and Christine

"Huge big up and thanks to our amazing volunteers under the #ActOnCancerTogether project – Jilly, Stephen, Irene, Peter, and Darine.  Their generosity in sharing their time and experiences is awe-inspiring and essential to helping us get other people in the city diagnosed for cancer as early as possible.  Thank you guys!"

Marie Benton
Senior Health and Communications Manager

From all of us at TDC, thank you to Jilly, Stephen, Irene, Peter and Darine

"A huge thank you to Dean for all of his help in the office. Dean has been such a core part of the central team and his help keeps the office running smoothly. Thanks Dean!"

Cerys Evans
Office Co-ordinator

From all of us at TDC, thank you to Dean.

Welcome to Volunteers Week 2023

It's Volunteer's Week and TDC will be celebrating the work of volunteers who do so much to support communities in Brighton and Hove.

Over the last 12 months volunteers have helped communities deal with the Cost of Living crisis, the long tail of Covid and much more. We've seen volunteers delivering food to people in need, supporting young people and helping out in our office with admin, IT and more. 

Over the next few days we'll be celebrating our volunteers who support us here at TDC and in the community groups we work with. 

A Visit to Brighton’s Long Running Repair Cafe

The Brighton Repair Cafe is one of the longest running repair cafe's in the UK. The monthly event has been running for over ten years at various locations and now has a home at the newly repainted St George's Hall in Moulsecoomb. 

The monthly drop-in offers light refreshments alongside the main attraction which is of course the repairs. Bring along something broken, take home something mended. Repairing broken items is saves money and resources, helping to protect the environment. Not everyone has the skills needed to repair electronic and mechanical items, or even to mend a pair of ripped jeans. But that is where the Repair Cafe comes in, bringing together people with broken items in need of repair with the people in their community with the skills to fix them.

When you first arrive at the Repair Cafe you will get a chance to sign in and let one of the team know what item you have brought along to repair. This will be marked up on the chalkboard and as the morning continues the repairs get checked off one by one. There's a chance to relax and chat with tea and biscuits while you wait for your turn to work with one of the repair experts on your item.

On the morning we visited the cafe items brought along for repair included a guitar, a santa suit, a DVD player, a lava lamp and a blender. All were in working order by lunchtime.

Brighton Repair Cafe runs on the first Saturday of the month 10am - 12 midday at St George's Hall. You can get in touch with them at [email protected]

It’s time to get fundraising for the Martlets Hospice- BAAAArilliant

It’s time to announce that TDC's Youth Team are involved with this years Martlets Shaun By the Sea Arts Trail. Woodingdean Youth Centre has it's very own SHAUN to decorate and display. We are super excited by this and are proud to be part of the 75 schools and community groups taking part in the project this year.

As well as getting Shaun ready to join his flock on tour in September we will be fundraising for the Martlets through a variety of different ways from now until October . We have a Just Giving page set up which you can donate to. Please help us reach our target of £600.

We also want to give huge thanks to the Downs Baptist Church in Woodingdean for their donation of £250 which has enabled us to buy our Shaun and will help us to get resources for our fundraising.

 

 

A Warm Welcome at Community Living Rooms

Last winter TDC partnered with BELTA, The Old Boat and Hollingdean Development Trust to run a four week pilot of Community Living Rooms. Community Living Rooms are drop-in warm spaces for local communities to help alleviate the Cost of Living crisis by providing a place people could go during the day, with relaxing activities, drinks, food and other support.

Communities were surveyed on what sort of activities they would like to do and a programme was drawn up. The Belta Community Hub ran on Tuesday afternoons. To make the space welcoming bunting was hung outside, posters were put up to promote the activities and a sign board outside gave details of what was available.

Support on offer included: games, hot soup, art activities, books, wifi, phone charging and a friendly warm welcome for everyone.

The offer of food was particularly well received, with the soup -- provided by local food project Sussex Surplus-- proving very popular. 

If you are a local community organisation who would like to run activities at BELTA's Community Living Room please get in touch with them via their website. Or contact Sara Fernee at TDC on [email protected] or call 07307683581.

"Chair yoga gives you a boost of energy. Its nice for people to come to the community centre and do it together as a group – it spurs you on."

"Tanya is a gentle and warm teacher. I found the movements manageable for a beginner. It made me feel really uplifted and calm."

“I noticed the activities helped to people relax in the space and stay a bit longer. They chatted and shared what they were making. This was especially true for people coming in for the first time, but also regulars got involved’.

Sara Fernee TDC Project Support Worker

We are currently evaluating the project and deciding how to build on its successful pilot scheme.

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