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Welcome to the June 2024 edition of our Residents’ eNewsletter, featuring the latest news and updates from your county council.
Celebrate Sussex Day this Sunday
It’s Sussex Day on Sunday (16 June) and we’ve got lots of last minute ideas for you to celebrate the wonderful county we live in.
Test your local knowledge with the Sussex Day Quiz compiled by our librarians or check out some quirky local facts about the county that might surprise you.
Our tourism partnership Experience West Sussex has highlighted a wide range of activities that you can enjoy, including fun watersports, glorious gardens, countryside nature discovery trails and seaside days out.
Let’s hope the sun shines on Sussex Day and you can get out and about to make the most of all our amazing county has to offer!
Caring for someone?
It’s Carers Week (10 to 16 June), and if you are an unpaid carer you could be eligible for free local support.
Anyone who provides unpaid care for a friend or family member who cannot cope without their support, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, can be classed as a family or friend carer.
Visit Carers Support West Sussex’s Carers Smart Search tool to find information and services.
Practical and emotional support for young carers aged under 18 is provided by our West Sussex Young Carers Service, and wellbeing support for a young person up to the age of 25 is available from e-wellbeing.
No excuse for domestic abuse during Euro 2024
Research shows that domestic abuse incidents can increase during major tournaments.
With Euro 2024 starting tonight, we want to remind anyone who experiences domestic abuse that there is support available in West Sussex through the WORTH Domestic Abuse Service, which is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0330 222 8181.
Outside of WORTH’s opening hours, anyone affected by domestic abuse can call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free on 0808 2000 247.
If anyone is at immediate risk of harm, they should always call 999 and press *55 to use the silent solution option if they are unable to speak openly.
Summer Reading Challenge starts next month
Exciting rewards await children aged four to 11 who take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge in their local library.
The theme is ‘Marvellous Makers’ and the fun starts on Saturday 13 July. If you're not a member yet, it’s free to join the library and free to take part!
The challenge is to choose and read some amazing library books over the school holiday.
Children who take part also receive a fab fold-out poster and scratch-and-sniff stickers to track their progress.
The more they read, the more exciting rewards they will receive!
There are fun activities too, including a Character Hunt with a prize draw.
Those who complete the challenge by Saturday 14 September are rewarded with a medal and certificate. There’s even a Mini Challenge for children under four.
Fight food waste and access affordable food!
Our West Sussex Recycles teams host seven Community Food Hubs, in collaboration with UKHarvest, once a month in each district and borough across the county.
The Hubs are designed to reduce surplus food from suppliers that would otherwise go to waste.
All residents are welcome to visit and fill a bag with rescued food for a suggested donation of £3.50.
The Hubs also offer recipes, food prevention hints and tips, and host information stands on various subjects including waste prevention, wellbeing and citizens advice.
Is your child summer ready? Check they’ve had their vaccinations
As we approach the end of the academic year, it’s a good time for parents and carers to make sure that their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations.
For younger children, their pre-school booster vaccinations will help to keep them protected against serious childhood diseases including measles and whooping cough (pertussis).
Measles and pertussis cases are rising in England – all children are at risk if they are not fully protected.
If in doubt about your child’s vaccine status check their 'Red Book' or contact their GP surgery.
Older children who have missed any vaccinations may be able to catch up at an in-school vaccination session. Ask your school for details.
Hard hitting film to tackle knife crime
Virtual reality headsets are educating young local people about the consequences of knife crime.
The headsets are loaded with an 11-minute immersive reality film which addresses issues around carrying knives and the potential tragic consequences.
In West Sussex, the headsets will be used by our Early Help, Youth Justice and Children’s Social Care teams and Sussex Police, either 1-2-1, in groups or schools.
Head to our Newsroom to find all the latest news:
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Our West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has appointed Matt Cook as its new Deputy Chief Fire Officer.
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Following the General Election day on Thursday 4 July, there will be nine MPs in West Sussex.
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Applications have opened for the Early Years Funded Entitlements (EYFE) for Working Families for children aged 9 to 23 months, but we recommend eligible families apply between 1 July and 15 August to access the funding from September 2024. This is to ensure your code does not expire before your child can access their funded place. It is important to remember that codes need to be reconfirmed every three months. If you applied any time before 1 June, you will need to reconfirm your code before you child starts using the funding in September. You must reconfirm before 31 August. More information here.
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It’s Alcohol Awareness Week from 1 to 7 July. If you or someone you know would like to make changes to their drinking, you can find free help and local support on the West Sussex Wellbeing website, including DrinkCoach, a free online coaching app, one to one help from an Alcohol Wellbeing advisor, or joining a support group.
- We are hosting a Children, Young People and Learning recruitment event on Thursday 11 July in Crawley. Learn more about our children’s services and what career opportunities are available.
- During the school summer holidays our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme will be working with over 60 different providers across West Sussex to deliver fun and exciting opportunities for children who are accessing benefits-related free school meals. Each session will include a free nutritious meal and all families attending will also be issued a voucher to claim free oral health products. Visit our website for more information.
A walk on the West Sussex wild side!
There is a wealth of wildlife waiting to be discovered in West Sussex.
Take a Sussex Safari and spot all manner of wonderful animal species including wild horses, water voles, white storks, kestrels, adders, great crested newts, sand lizards and endangered species such as nightingales, turtle doves and purple emperor butterflies.
Check out the wonderful wildlife on our land, our coasts and in our skies!
Last summer’s recycling survey was so helpful, we are running it again as part of our mission to help reduce waste and increase recycling.
Click here to take part in the short survey, whether you completed it last year or not, we'd really like to hear from you.
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Reminder: We have more than 40 eNewsletters on a wide variety of topics including Envrionment & Climate Change, Walking & Cycling, Highways & Transport, Recycling, Weather Alerts and Staying Safe Online. View all topics here.
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