Worthing Community Chest February Newsletter

Introducing the Global Goals 

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) are a set of 17 goals that aim to provide a blueprint to help make the world a better place.

Although here at Worthing Community Chest we are a local charity, we recognise that we are part of a bigger picture. With that in mind, we have started to incorporate the Global Goals into our work here at Worthing Community Chest.

Is your group looking for funding? 

We are currently accepting Seed Grants and Grass Roots grants on a rolling basis. Our next funding round for Grants for Growth will have a deadline of May 31st with a decision in late June, perfect for our groups with events in late Summer. If you have any questions about our grants, please get in touch.

What our groups have been up to… 

Billy & Beyond are bringing the “I Love You Mum, I Promise I Won’t Die” stageshow to local high schools around Worthing with the aim of providing young people in Worthing with drug awareness education in an engaging way.

Wild Gathering have been busy running their Wintering Well workshops, these aim to help individuals connect and celebrate nature whilst boosting their own wellbeing.

And our Patron Bob was at the wonderful Worthing Dementia Hub celebrating Time to Talk Day.

We are on the lookout for new trustees!

Since 2001, Worthing Community Chest has awarded nearly £450k to the local community. Our vision is to be the “go-to” funder and partner of new and developing community groups in Worthing. Together we aim to keep improving, transforming and enriching lives. To achieve our vision, we need you! 

Becoming a trustee is a perfect role for a previous group member with experience of receiving a grant. Or perhaps you know an energetic fundraising, communications, accounting or legal professional who wants to be part of our mission?

Worthing Community Chest is a small charity and becoming a trustee requires a commitment between board meetings. WCC has recently integrated the UN Global Goals, into everything it does.

Call Vicky Vaughan, Grants and Partnerships Co-ordinator, on 07909 693172 for further information, or contact us via our website if you are interested. We’d love to hear from you.

West Sussex-based IT Company Celebrates 25 Years of Innovation and Growth

ActiveIT, a leading provider of cutting-edge IT solutions and services, proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary this month.

Since its founding in February 1998, the Chichester-based company has established itself as a leader in the industry and has earned a reputation for delivering innovative and reliable solutions to businesses of all sizes across West Sussex and beyond.

"It is a great pleasure and a source of immense pride to mark this significant milestone," said Chris Sewell, Managing Director of ActiveIT.

"Over the past 25 years, we have helped countless businesses to maximize their potential and achieve their goals through the power of technology. Our success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our team and our customers, who have trusted us to support their success."

ActiveIT has come a long way since its early days.

Initially building and selling home PCs, the company branched into commercial broadcasting and became the sole IT provider for Virgin Radio (now Absolute) and Heart FM for many years.

In addition, ActiveIT was involved in building and maintaining many of the new local and regional FM stations which started up in the late 1990s and early 2000s across the UK from Redruth to Glasgow, Ireland and even Amsterdam!

It wasn’t until the mid-2000’s when the company started to concentrate on IT support for SMEs.

And this remains the focus of the business to this day.

To help mark 25 years, ActiveIT is hosting a series of events and activities to celebrate its achievements and thank its customers, employees, and partners for their ongoing support and commitment.

The company is also taking the opportunity to reflect on its rich history and look ahead to the exciting future ahead, with a number of exciting plans and initiatives already underway.

"As we enter our 25th year of operations, we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions and services that empower businesses to thrive," added Sewell.

"Improving cyber security is very much at the forefront of what we do. We look forward to continuing to work with our customers and partners to create a better and more secure digital world for generations to come."

For more information about ActiveIT and its 25^th-anniversary celebrations, visit their website at https://www.activegroup.co.uk/ or contact the company directly at info@activegroup.co.uk

Computing Apprenticeships with the University of Chichester to benefit and support your business.

At the University of Chichester we are always striving to ensure our apprenticeship programmes are meeting the needs of local industry, while committing to the development of capable and confident graduates. Through our innovative, workplace based programmes we are able to bring real benefit to businesses from the start of an apprenticeship, and are always keen to work with our partners to ensure we are delivering programmes that are achieving these goals.

As part of this ongoing relationship with employers we are delighted to invite you to an event to discuss options for Computing and IT Apprenticeships you would like to see delivered. Digital skills have been identified as an area of both local growth, and local need, so will be key to our apprenticeship portfolio in the coming years. This event will ascertain which apprenticeships are available for delivery, how they are assessed, and discuss how these may meet the needs of your business moving forward. The morning will include:

- Which apprenticeships, at both Higher and Degree level, are available to delivery.

- What Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours are included in these apprenticeships, and how they can be utilised to benefit your business.

- What assessment methods are included in each apprenticeship; during the programme and the End Point Assessment.

- How to recruit learners to these apprenticeships, and how to identify internal candidates who may wish to take up this opportunity.

- What are the responsibilities for employers when supporting apprentices.

T his event will begin at 09:00, with breakfast available from 08:30. At the end of the event we will also run an optional tour of our specialist facilities. Free parking will be available on campus.

Reserve your free place here University of Chichester Computing and IT Apprenticeships Tickets, Thu 9 Mar 2023 at 08:30 | Eventbrite

March 2023 Exhibitions and Events at Colonnade House

What better way to welcome in spring, than with our wonderful exhibitions at Colonnade House. Join Natalia Samarina with her first exhibition inspired from her move to Worthing from Moscow. We have Ellie Bond and Lucy Rowan with their exhibition ‘Stemmed’. They will also be joined by students at Northbrook College for a group collaborative piece by the students. Up next we have Steve Gallagher with his exhibition ‘Cloth, Paper Steel’. Using a selection of materials to highlight the different aspects of his photographic work. 

Joining us for the last week in March with SOLD. A charity shop in Shoreham that provides experience for adults with learning differences in a realistic shop setting. The individuals of SOLD will be sharing a range of their artwork at Colonnade House.

Natalia Samarina: My Art
28 Feb - 5 March

Natalia is an aspiring artist who started her journey a couple of years ago. After moving to Sussex from Moscow a few years ago, the beauty of the coast, hills and surrounding nature ignited her imagination. Come and enjoy Natalia's paintings inspired by the beauty of nature in her first exhibition. 

Stemmed
7 - 18 March 

Ellie Bond and Lucy Rowan will be exhibiting together for two weeks in March. ‘Stemmed’ presents Lucy’s soft, woven forms alongside Ellie’s defined, linear glassworks. Gallery 2 will contain a group collaborative piece by students on the Mixed Media Pathway as part of the Foundation Arts course at Northbrook College.

Steve Gallagher
21 - 26 March 

Finely detailed floral studies and dramatic seascapes that reflect the richness and variety of the Sussex landscape will be filling up the gallery in March. Steve Gallagher: “Cloth, Paper, Steel” is an opportunity for visitors to experience photography in a new light.

SOLD
28 March - 1 April 

SOLD (Shoreham opportunities for learning differences). They offer purposeful and meaningful work experience to adults with learning differences in a realistic shop setting. The aim is to train them with work related skills that they can take onto future placements.  Their trainees have their own talents, and will be sharing their artwork in Colonnade House for a week.

https://colonnadehouse.co.uk/

Mum who set up charity Andy’s Angels in memory of her late husband wins national award

A WORTHING mum has bagged an award for her hard work in setting up a charity while running her own business.

Kayla Shepherd was the deserving recipient of the Business Mum of the Year award at the 2022 virtual Women’s Business Club Awards.

Kayla is a mum-of-one who set up charity Andy’s Angels in 2021 in memory of her late husband, Andy, who died suddenly in 2017.

She launched it after supporting her daughter, Millie throughout the grieving process and realising there wasn’t much support for children like her who were grieving a loss.

With the help of lived grief experienced volunteers, the two of them host grief play cafes for families to act as a safe space for children and families who are going through their own journeys of grief.

Alongside this, she runs training company Safety Mode Limited, which offers first aid and safety training for a range of industries.

There were 20 categories throughout the awards and 18 nominees from across the UK in Kayla’s category alone.

Kayla got the award for her hard work in both of her ventures and how, despite grieving herself, she has been able to build success for both her family and others in similar positions.

Kayla said: ‘It’s amazing to be recognised in such a way and to have come first against so many people across the country means even more. I work hard to support not only my family, but to enable people to have a safe space to come when they need a friend or someone who is in a similar situation to talk to and that is the driving force behind everything I do.’

The charity has just launched an afternoon Grief Play Café alongside the morning session due to the success and uptake of the initial sessions.

She said: ‘The morning sessions went so well that we thought it’d only be right to add more sessions so that we can help even more families. We’ve got so much planned throughout the year, from pamper and prosecco nights to days out at the races and more. It’s so rewarding being able to do so much for people who are going through what we went through, and I can’t wait to see where Andy’s Angels will go from here.’

For more information, visit www.andysangels.org.uk

Worthing neurodivergent entrepreneur named as one of 2023’s most inspiring female founders

Worthing neurodivergent business owner Lisa Kerr said she is “delighted” to be named as one of the UK’s most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs for 2023 by the f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign.

Lisa who founded Consulting with Kerr in 2020, is being profiled alongside 100 female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of the campaign to celebrate the multi-achievements of women running businesses in the UK today.

Lisa is an award-winning business adviser and mentor, supporting small business owners. She developed the unique ‘Productivity 4 Profitability’ framework which looks across a whole business covering Perspective, Performance, People and Process to discover the areas where small changes can lead to the greatest success.

This year’s f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign celebrates inspiring and resilient female entrepreneurs that have flourished despite the challenges of the past years. Many of the businesses featured in this year’s campaign also demonstrate a huge commitment to championing diversity and inclusion, as well as promoting sustainability.

Indeed, Lisa is also the proud co-founder of Camden Open Air Gallery, which highlights street art and gives opportunities to talented young artists who are often overlooked.  But as if that wasn’t enough, on a daily basis, Lisa cares for her teenage son who has autism, ADHD and Dyspraxia and is also on a personal journey of understanding her own neurodiversity.

“Just weeks before the first Covid-19 lockdown I got my diagnosis and it’s been incredibly challenging building my business while stepping out from my own shadow.  But my greatest reward is seeing my clients succeed so I’m honoured that Small Business Britain feels I’m making a positive difference”, said Lisa.

“This year I’m also training as a Certified ADHD Life Coach, enhancing the support I provide to fellow neurodivergent business owners.”

The f:Entrepreneur campaign was launched in 2017 to raise greater awareness of the impact of incredible female business owners across the country, and help provide inspiration and role models to the wider small business community. Delivered by Small Business Britain – the leading champion of small businesses in the UK – the campaign offers a host of events, training, and networking opportunities to boost skills, capability, and confidence. 

Both f:Entrepreneur and Small Business Britain were founded by Michelle Ovens CBE, who is also the director of Small Business Saturday UK.

“Congratulations to Lisa Kerr, and each of the talented female entrepreneurs featured in this year’s #ialso100,” said Michelle. “It is so vital that we recognize and celebrate the phenomenal contribution that women running businesses are making across the UK, and the far-reaching, positive impact they are having, not just on the economy, but on wider communities too. The last few years have been hugely challenging for small businesses, yet despite this, female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish in the UK, and is very much at the heart of the UK’s recovery.”

In celebration, all of the 2023 female entrepreneurs on the #ialso100 list will gather at the House of Lords for a special event being held on International Women’s Day, for which this year, the theme is #EmbraceEquity.  “I can’t wait to meet this community of brilliant businesswomen and hear about their incredible contributions and sustainability efforts”, said Lisa.

To see the full line-up of the 100 amazing women featured in this year’s f:entrepreneur #ialso100 campaign visithttps://f-entrepreneur.com/ialso-100-2023/

George Square Financial Management February Financial Commentary  

Hopeful beginnings 

The gloom and doom that pervaded most of 2022 has faded in recent months.  

This improvement is well-justified. The spectre of runaway inflation has disappeared and month by month the data has confirmed that the tough talk and interest rate hikes enacted by Central Banks has driven it away.  

We believe that a real risk of a global recession as a consequence of this tightening still exists, but in recent weeks the economic data has been somewhat better than had been expected. This reduction of this risk has also helped markets. 

Inflation continues to ebb: 

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the start of the Ukraine war, year over year comparisons of commodity prices will turn sharply negative. Market expectations imply inflation to fall to 2% in the US by mid-year. Natural gas prices in Europe are already down 80% from their peak.   

Services inflation, the last bastion of inflationist, has stabilized and there are no signs of an impending wage price spiral.  

For the first time on the 1^st of February, Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell acknowledged that conditions have meaningfully improved. Although US interest rates were still raised by 0.25%, this marked a slowdown of increases and he noted that there was now uncertainty about how many more rises are needed. We believe there may well be just one more rise before the Federal Reserve pauses its efforts and waits to see how significantly economic growth is affected.  

Here in the United Kingdom it may take a little longer. For this reason, the Bank of England raised interest rates by 0.5% again on the 2^nd of February. We believe they too will have one further rise to go. However, an end is in sight.   

Economic activity slowing but not collapsing: 

Forward-looking indicators of economic activity have continued to weaken in the last month across the developed world, but less than had been feared. Manufacturing and services surveys show a slowdown in consumer spending on both sides of the Atlantic.  

The negative backdrop for consumer spending has been helped by the strength of the labour market and robust year on year wage growth. Both Europe and the US recorded positive GDP growth in the fourth quarter. Even in the UK, where cost of living pressures are fairly acute, large retailers noted a pickup in revenue growth during the festive period. 

Our base case for this year remains a recession. US fourth quarter earnings are trending down 5% on 10% revenue growth. Revenue growth is expected to slow to 0% by the end of the second quarter when earnings are expected to bottom. However, this does not mean it will be a severe recession. We should remember that we have in the past 15 years lived through two of the worst recessions ever after the Global Financial Crisis and during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this is not typical and there is no reason to believe the coming recession will follow this pattern. 

China – the year of the rabbit:  

Additional positive news in recent weeks comes from China where the Government has relented on its zero COVID stance and will allow a complete and rapid re-opening of its economy. The news has caused a sharp rally in local stocks as investors look to take advantage of a resurgence in consumer spending. China’s economy faces many challenges in the near term and the removal of COVID restrictions will enable a shift away from infrastructure dependent growth.  

Within our portfolios we are treating the improving conditions with a real but also very rational sense of optimism. We know that opportunity is to be embraced but only to the extent that our investors are willing to accept the risks that come with that opportunity.  

We know though that the world is an uncertain place. We are not in the business of predicting an uncertain future. Rather we plan carefully to cope with different scenarios and build resilience into portfolios to cope with that uncertainty.  

2023 is the year of the rabbit in China. The rabbit symbolises hope and good fortune, something we could all do with this year. 

The value of investments can go down and you may get back less than invested. This material may include charts displaying financial instruments' past performance as well as estimates and forecasts. Past performance does not predict future returns.  

© 2023 George Square Financial Management Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The content of this material is a marketing communication, and not independent investment research. As such, the legal and regulatory requirements in relation to independent investment research do not apply to this material and it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of its dissemination. The material is for general information purposes only (whether or not it states any opinions). It does not consider your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) legal, financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by Albemarle Street Partners or George Square Financial Management Ltd that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Although the information set out in this marketing communication is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, Albemarle Street Partners or George Square Financial Management Ltd. makes no guarantee as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither Albemarle Street Partners or George Square Financial Management Ltd. shall be responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein. Albemarle Street Partners is a trading name of Atlantic House Fund Management LLP (AHI). Issued by AHI who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: 135 Bishopsgate, 8th Floor, London, EC2M 3TP. George Square Financial Management Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority 

Aspiring restauranteurs offered once in a lifetime opportunity in iconic end of Pier venue, offering the best coastal views in Sussex.

Worthing is the Sussex seaside town attracting national interest for its  rejuvenated and exciting restaurant scene, award-winning sunsets and ever-growing creative community. The team behind the highly successful south coast restaurant and cafe brand The Perch are offering a major
stepping stone for new restaurateurs to Worthing to become part of the thriving and lively coastal town. The jewel in Worthing’s crown is the Art Deco pier, boasting an historic southern pavilion, which the Perch team have recently restored to its former glory to become one of Worthing’s premier venues for dining. Looking back over the southern coast line, with the South Downs filling the horizon, the Nest is a stand alone dining space on the first floor and the ideal spot for a restaurant with a difference. In the right hands, this could be one of the finest hospitality locations in Sussex, with the finest views on the south coast. Since 2015, Perch has been welcomed and supported throughout the county, in Lancing, Eastbourne, and then Worthing. Now they have the chance to pass on some of the goodwill and opportunity that they’ve enjoyed.

Hoping to offer a helping hand to new restaurants looking to launch in Worthing, Perch owner Alex Coombes and his team will provide the stunning restaurant space, with its 35-cover dining area, kitchen full of brand-new equipment and bar, for 18 months, while the new offering is
established. They’ll also offer the help, support and coaching the new operator will need as a restaurateur facing the challenge of expanding into a new location, plus marketing, HR, accounting and operational support if required. Rent will be set as a percentage based on turnover in order to ensure one of the most daunting parts of any restaurant’s overheads is
kept manageable as the new venture becomes established. Potential operators will need to apply, showing a clear vision of how their premium offering will work at the Nest. They’ll have what it takes to create an incredible menu and be able to deliver an exceptional guest
experience. Applicants will also need robust projections of their costs and revenue as this location.

"This is one of the finest dining spaces and I'm tremendously excited to see the ideas and developments that come from it. We want to support and grow a great idea into another fantastic restaurant in Worthing." Alexander Coombes, Managing Director, Perch

The lucky new operator won’t stay at the Nest for ever. The Perch team will be on hand to help the new restaurant get established and build a reputation and then, in a year or two, they’ll assist the new restauranteur to find their own premises in Worthing - with its flourishing culinary scene
and growing population. Once again, The Nest will then be offered to the next batch of aspiring restauranteurs, with the aim being to provide Worthing with an ongoing stream of exciting new additions to the restaurant scene.

For more information on how to apply, please visit www.perch.team/nest.

Children's Mental Health and Well-being Interactive Workshops

In mark of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, Safety Mode Ltd and Inspire You Wellbeing Ltd are collaborating to bring to families a day of interactive workshops based around Children's Mental Health and Well-being. Thank you to Hope Hive for supporting us with the venue :)

Some of the workshops will be parent and child focused separately, in adjacent rooms and some workshops parents and children will join to learn together.

Children ages 6-14 years

Timings of the day:

10-11am
Adults - Understanding when your child is not able to manage their emotions and how to help and how to work with emotional dysregulation to help you and your child get back into their 'window of tolerance'

Children - Feelings House
(Kayla - Safety Mode Ltd)

11.30am - 12.15pm
Adults - How to help your child sleep better.
(Tiffany Lee Coaching)

Children - Relaxation techniques for sleep
(Kayla and Claire)

Lunch 12-15 -1pm Bring your own lunch.
(Well-being crafts available)

1-2pm
Adults and Children - How breathing can help regulate our emotions.
(Claire - Inspire You Wellbeing Ltd)

2-3pm
Adults and Children - Mandala Drawing
Joint creative drawing activity
(Corrina Holyoake Books and Art)

3-3.30pm
Reflection time

Follow the link to book your tickets:

Awareness of Children's Mental Health and Well-being Tickets, Sun 12 Feb 2023 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

Learn about digital career opportunities at new drop-in information hubs

Jobseekers and anyone with an interest in digital skills can find out more about career opportunities in West Sussex at new information hubs popping up across the county in 2023.

Digital Futures West Sussex will be running free drop-in hubs throughout the year to provide guidance to those interested in pursuing a new career path and learning about the range of local digital roles available across various sectors.

The first information hub will be held at the BIPC Centre at Crawley library on Tuesday 31st January between 10am and 3pm, followed by a drop-in hub at Littlehampton Wave leisure centre on Thursday 9^th February from 2pm to 7pm. More information hubs will take place later in the year at locations across the county, including Chichester, Worthing, Arundel, East Grinstead and more.

Jointly funded by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex Districts and Borough Councils, Digital Futures West Sussex is a new programme launched to improve access to digital careers, to showcase the opportunities available and to help meet the rapidly growing employer demands for digital skills.

Barney Durrant is the Digital Futures ambassador for the Crawley and Mid Sussex area and runs his own digital marketing company, Bluebell Digital, in East Grinstead.

Barney said: “If you’re thinking about working in digital or are considering a career change, the Digital Futures information hubs will provide a great opportunity to learn more about the range of jobs available here in West Sussex and various career pathways.

“Often people may not realise they already have relevant skills to work in digital, or that digital roles exist across a variety of sectors. The Digital Futures programme aims to change this by supporting jobseekers and career switchers with guidance on courses, local roles and sharing information on the salaries and benefits associated with a digital career.

“We’re really looking forward to launching the first info hub in Crawley. Whether you’re a student, graduate or someone with an interest in digital skills - please do drop in for a chat.”

Digital Futures West Sussex is delivered by local strategic consultancy Always Possible with support from three Digital Futures ambassadors from across the county. In the Chichester and Horsham districts the ambassador is Luke Mead, chief executive of LMS Group, and in Arun, Adur and Worthing the Digital Futures ambassador is Mark Bullen, managing director of GB Electronics.

The programme team are working in partnership with local authorities, education providers and business networks to connect jobseekers, those seeking a career change, graduates and students with trainers and businesses.

To register for the Crawley information hub on Tuesday 31st January please click here and to register for the Littlehampton information hub on Thursday 9^th February here.

To find out more about Digital Futures West Sussex, please visit: www.digitalfuturesws.co.uk  

About the project

The Digital Futures West Sussex programme is a new campaign launched in September 2022 by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex Districts and Borough Councils: Adur and Worthing Councils, Arun District Council, Chichester District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Horsham District Council and Mid Sussex District Council.

The aim of the project is to connect local businesses with talented job seekers and improve access to routes into digital careers for workers across all ages, from students and graduates to jobseekers and those looking for a career change.