Latest news from Hastings Voluntary Action

News and updates and useful information from Hastings Voluntary Action.

Hastings Community Creates Food Safety Net for Residents in Need
The people of Hastings always pull together in a crisis and the Hastings Emergency Food Response Group is a classic example of the community spirit in our town. Find out more here.

National Volunteers Week: 1 – 7 June
According to a study released today, one in five adults has volunteered for community activities or organisations since the start of the lockdown on March 23, totaling 10 million people each contributing an average of 3 hours per week. Read more in The Times.

1-7 June is National Volunteers Week and Hastings Voluntary Action will be celebrating how the community has come together to help and support each other with our first ever Virtual Volunteers Fair via Zoom (Wednesday 3rd June from 11-12.30). To register a time slot for your organisation to promote volunteer opportunities or celebrate volunteer stories and achievements please contact Debby on debby@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk or by phone on 01424 444010. Book a place at the Virtual Fair here.

Food Project – Volunteers Needed
Four Courts Food Project is a new partnership initiative between Doms Food Mission, Optivo and Hastings Voluntary Action. In2Play will also be supporting the launch of this project by providing activity packs for all food bags. We are looking for six volunteers to help out with preparation and distribution of food bags to Four Courts residents in Hollington. Volunteers need to be available regularly on a Friday from 10-2 when the project launches in a few weeks time. Strict social distancing procedures will be in place to ensure the safety of all involved. For more details contact debby@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk or call 07513 234 307

Arts on Prescription 
Arts on Prescription have begun to deliver weekly art for well-being sessions via zoom.  They have have now also received specific funding to allow them to buy and distribute Art and Wellbeing packs to people who are the most vulnerable and in need. More here.

Covid19 Special Interest Groups
As part of the Hastings Covid 19 Community Response Hub, specific groups have been established to discuss particular issues. If your organisation would like to join any of these virtual ‘meetings’, please contact the relevant person:
Mental Health & Wellbeing: contact Su Barnicoat at su@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk
Emergency Response Food Network: contact Natalie Williams at natalie.williams@kings1066.org
Children, Young People and Families: contact Carole Dixon at carole@educationfuturestrust.org
Running a Community Building: contact Peter Thorpe at peter@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk

Online Care for the Carers Conference

Care for the Carers invites all East Sussex carers to take part in its online Carers Voices Conference

Giving carers the opportunity to have their say, at a time when many carers are even more hidden and isolated, the online conference takes place online throughout July, with an online market place, a range of keynote speakers, a live Q&A and a series of carer workshops.  The free conference is open to all unpaid carers in East Sussex, including parent carers and young carers. To find out more, visit this link.

Small Business Grants and Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grants
Is your charity, community group or social enterprise eligible for a Government grant in recognition of the disruption caused by COVID-19? Check out this link.

Crisis Funding for Groups
Funding is available for charities, community groups and social enterprises in the Hastings area that are affected by, or responding to, the coronavirus pandemic. Check out this link.

Tell us your good news stories!
During the past couple of months many charities and community groups have overcome adversity to support their clients; thousands of people in Hastings have stepped forward to volunteer; and people have made a greater effort to look out for their friends and neighbours. We are keen to promote some of the uplifting stories of positive things that are happening in our area. Let us know by emailing Matt at matt@hastingvoluntaryaction.org.uk or connect to our Facebook page.

Coronavirus Advice
Our coronavirus resources news page has been updated with the latest information on keeping safe, supporting others and useful information for groups and organisations, including easy-read guidance on how to support those most likely to get poorly from coronavirus. Check out this link.

Groups & Organisations 
Is your group or organisation seeking new volunteers to support your current provision? Or are you looking for volunteers as part of new plans you are putting in place? If so, please let us know by emailing debby@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk or by call calling 01424 444010.

Foodbanks
The latest information about Foodbanks in Hastings & St Leonards is available on our website.

Feeling isolated, anxious or lonely and need someone to talk to?
CONNECT IN is HVA’s Telephone Befriending Service.  If you know someone who would benefit from having someone to chat to, visit this link  or call 01424 444010.

Hastings Relief Fund
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to the Hastings Relief Fund so far. Many local residents have been supported by charities and community initiatives that have responded rapidly over the past few weeks, for example with food deliveries to the doorstep, or a friendly telephone call to someone who is isolated. You can find out more and donate to the Hastings Relief Fund here.

Hastings Covid-19 Community Support Hotline
Do you or does someone you know need help? Residents of Hastings and St Leonards, or their friends, family or carers, can contact Hastings Borough Council on a special helpline: 01424 451019. Open 9am – 5pm Monday – Thursday, 9am – 4.30 pm Friday. More info and an online form for non-urgent enquiries is available here.

HVA will be regularly updating their website and social media pages and providing weekly e-bulletins with the latest information. For inclusion in future e-bulletins, please contact matt@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk with two sentences and a link to further information.

Also in: Hastings People

« Making Caring Visible this Carers Week
Patricia ‘Paddy’ Stephenson: public benefactor »