coronavirus

Lindfield High Street begins to open up again

Lindfield High Street sees new life after lockdown

Lindfield High Street sees new life after lockdown

By Mary Collins

As we start to emerge from lockdown, Lindfield is gradually returning to some sort of normality with the reopening of non-essential shops and businesses during June.

Most outlets that have been shut since March have rejoined those that heroically stayed open throughout the lockdown as the High Street takes its first cautious steps towards recovery.

To get a snapshot of how traders are faring in these uncertain times and what shopping will look like after almost three months in lockdown, Lindfield Life spoke to a selection of those that kept the village going throughout the lockdown, and some that have reopened.

Those traders spoken to have primarily talked about customer loyalty and the importance of local shopping and local supply chains, and whilst there is general confidence and optimism that the High Street will begin to trade normally, there is also a note of caution as the lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Staff at Cottenham’s, who stayed open throughout the lockdown, talk of the ‘intense, long and sometimes emotional days’ and the ‘eerie quiet of the village interrupted by the incessant ringing of the phone for yet another order’. John Cottenham said: “The last few months have been extreme! When panic buying stripped supermarket shelves bare, our relationship with local suppliers ensured we kept customers supplied and happy. We have been overwhelmed by the hard work of our staff and the support from our customers.”

Demonstrating the Lindfield community spirit, John adds: “It never felt stronger, with those of us that stayed open energising each other. We worked with Paul’s Greengrocer to combine some deliveries, and the Co-op was helpful with cooking ingredients.”

[Excerpt from July 2020 magazine]

75th VE Day celebrations in Lindfield

The residents of Lindfield were keen to do what they could to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day last week with numerous roads and houses being ‘dressed’ for the event.

Even though parties could not take place in the way that was intended, many folk were able to enjoy cream teas, cakes and bubbly from the comfort and safety of their own house boundaries. during lockdown.

Here’s a selection of photos showing the efforts and enthusiasm by many in Lindfield last Friday.

Felix John’s children prepared a VE Day Picnic in the garden

Felix John’s children prepared a VE Day Picnic in the garden

Proud of Luxford Road

Proud of Luxford Road

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Esme’s Teddy Bear’s VE Day picnic

Esme’s Teddy Bear’s VE Day picnic

Socially distanced in the sun on Langmore Lane

Socially distanced in the sun on Langmore Lane

Kelly and co in Newton Close

Kelly and co in Newton Close

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The well-dressed Welkin - Malcolm Grace

The well-dressed Welkin - Malcolm Grace

Mark Tampion

Mark Tampion

A purpose-built air raid shelter!?

A purpose-built air raid shelter!?

Tabitha Bird’s decs made from tablecloths!

Tabitha Bird’s decs made from tablecloths!

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more patriotic teddy bears

more patriotic teddy bears

VE window in Saxon Way - Patricia Hicks

VE window in Saxon Way - Patricia Hicks

Yarrow Gate celebrations

Yarrow Gate celebrations

MSDC Garden waste collections return on 11th May 2020

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Mid Sussex District Council is resuming garden waste collections from Monday 11 May.

As part of the Council’s response to the COVID-19 national emergency, garden waste collections were paused on 13 April to enable the collection crews to meet social distancing requirements and to preserve rubbish and recycling collections.

During the past month the Council has worked hard alongside waste collection partner Serco to secure additional resources that will enable our crews to practice social distancing and collect our customers’ garden waste safely. Collections were originally predicted to be suspended for a period of 12 weeks, but new working arrangements mean it is now possible to bring the service back after only a four-week pause.

When the service resumes on Monday 11 May, customers should place their garden waste bins out for collection on their usual collection day. Anyone who is not sure when their bin is due for collection can check online at www.midsussex.gov.uk/waste-recycling/bin-collection

The garden waste collection service has been paused for exactly four weeks and during that time each customer has missed two collections. To ensure that no household is financially disadvantaged by the suspension of the garden waste collection service, the Council will add four weeks onto the end of each subscription period to cover the number of collections missed.

Councillor John Belsey, Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery said: “This has been a difficult month for everyone and we are so grateful to all our garden waste customers for their patience, support and understanding during the past few weeks.

“We know that garden waste collections are important to people, especially during this lockdown period, so we have been working as hard as we can with Serco to reinstate them safely as soon as possible. I’m delighted to say that we are now able to resume our garden waste collections.

“We really appreciate the efforts you are making to hold on to your garden waste but please remain patient for a little while longer once collections are back under way and we work through the build-up.

“Our crews are not able to collect any side waste so it’s important to make sure all your garden waste is contained within the bin and that the lid is closed. If you are unable to fit all your garden waste into your green wheelie bin, please continue to store it until your next scheduled collection. This will ensure the safety and wellbeing of our collection crews and that we can continue to offer a garden waste service to everyone.”

For more information, visit the garden waste collection page at www.midsussex.gov.uk/gardenwaste where there are answers to several Frequently Asked Questions. Anyone who is unable to find the answer to their query online should email gardenwaste@midsussex.gov.uk.

Sussex Coffee Trucks serves NHS heroes

Sussex Coffee Trucks at Princess Royal Hospital giving away free coffee during lockdown

Sussex Coffee Trucks at Princess Royal Hospital giving away free coffee during lockdown

Local resident Dan Pullen started his own mobile coffee business this year called Sussex Coffee Trucks. It was based around a bright yellow, vintage Citroen horse box. He had secured a permanent pitch with National Trust at the iconic Ditchling Beacon Car Park and things were going fantastically well for the business owner. Until lockdown came, and his business was shut down overnight. The next thing he knew was that he was unable to work, and at home looking after his 6 year old and 2 year old!

By Dan Pullen

It dawned on me that I was in the perfect position to help boost morale at my local hospital by using my vehicle. Everything's better after coffee isn’t it? So the idea was born but it took quite a bit of planning and investigative work to actually get the idea to the right people and have it signed off. 

NHS Heroes blend of coffee

NHS Heroes blend of coffee

I’ve known Kris from Lindfield Coffee Works for many years. He used to supply me with coffee at my last cafe in Brighton and he also sponsors my cycle race team (https://lindfieldcoffee.team/) so it was only natural that I continued that relationship in my new business. When he heard about my idea he jumped at the chance to help out with coffee beans and even offered to help run a few shifts. I put together an online fundraiser too and the response was phenomenal! I ordered up all the products I needed and we were ready to go.

 It was a huge success. I served over 1,000 drinks in the first week! Feedback was fantastic and everyone was so grateful. It felt amazing to be able to lift spirits for these hardworking heroes.

Last week I was approached by two local companies that had seen my posts on social media and wanted to donate cakes too which were gratefully received and went down a storm! Thank you to: The Garden Chef and Round Table Cookery

We’ve been doing 4 days per week throughout April and will continue until either the funds run out or that I’m aloud to return to doing what I love most: Providing amazing coffee and cake to all the lovely visitors to Ditching Beacon.

 

War yesterday: Coronavirus today (a look back at notes from history)

An ARP warden during WWII (believed to be Helena Hall) in gas protection outfit (PPE)

By Margaret Nicolle

It is revealing that the language being used to fight the current battle against the coronavirus outbreak is stirring memories of the same call to arms as during the war. A new enemy is facing us, called by the Prime Minister ‘a physical assailant’ but just as challenging because of its invisibility. Emmanuel Macron has stated ‘we are at war’; antibodies are ‘fighting’ the virus; the Queen’s Speech referred to ‘evacuees’. There have been even more direct references for example to the spirit of Dunkirk; a policeman has been called a Nazi; slogans such as Keep Calm and Pick for Britain remind us of wartime Britain.

These remarks have led me to look at parallels from Helena Hall’s Journal of the Second World War


Restrictions

July 12th 1940
I went to Brighton today and was told that in all the streets near the sea, curfew is enforced at 9.30 the time altering with sunset time…sentries go along the streets to see that they are clear. No one is allowed on the beach – guns and forts abound.

August 8th 1942
People caught trying to visit Brighton are to get heavier penalties. Seven people were fined from £1 to £3 but the full fines are £100 or 3 months imprisonment.

August 5th 1940
The leaflet “Stay where you are” was in the letter box this morning. Copies are being delivered by the postmen to every house in the country.

Disruption  

October 15th 1940
These day raids are annoying, no doubt partly designed for that purpose. I prefer the night raids when I am not hindered in the ordinary day’s work of shopping, cooking, fireplaces, Jock’s meals etc….

Voluntary help

March 6th 1941
This morning because three helpers were ill, I went to the Hall to help with the children’s dinners which they have in the corridor. There were 70 to 80 children, all evacuated and they have a good dinner. Today it was minced meat, pease pudding, cabbage and mashed potatoes and a milky rice pudding.

Food shortages and the black market

March 19th 1942
Public barter has taken place in the Channel Islands where food is scarce. Guernsey newspapers contain such advertisements as ‘apples for paraffin’, ‘canaries, all colours for rabbits’ ‘cigarettes for a fur coat’ ‘eggs for golden syrup’. A Jersey message says ‘Conditions bearable, food scarcity.’

For stealing coupons from the GPO stores where he worked sentence of 3 years penal servitude was passed on Webb and the same time for Raphman for receiving them. Far too much ‘black marketing’ goes on with stolen coupons and the sentences get more severe.

January 13th 1943
At his weekly food conference Lord Woolton said yesterday bread would continue unrationed if the public co-operated. He wants potatoes used more than bread and the wheat stock to be conserved by using home grown potatoes. He appeals to the women of Britain to use potato dishes whenever they can.

Humour

Helena pasted into her journal many relevant cartoons taken from newspapers. Today  the restrictions on our lives give rise to a proliferation of such comment often as video clips.

BUT there were differences too. The social life of Lindfield continued.  Helena went round to a neighbour’s house to listen to important news. She made trips to London to visit the National Gallery where special exhibitions to boost morale took place. Churches remained open although bells were not rung.

Copies of A Woman living in the Shadow of the Second World War, Helena Hall’s Journal from the Home Front edited by Linda Grace and Margaret Nicolle can be obtained by phoning 0144448268 or e-mailing margaretnicolle@outlook.com or lagrace15@hotmail.com

MSDC seek help to commemorate Mid Sussex Virtual VE Day

With planned VE Day events now not taking place, MSDC are compiling a virtual tribute

With planned VE Day events now not taking place, MSDC are compiling a virtual tribute

Mid Sussex District Council are calling for your help to create a memory bank of commemoration for Victory in Europe Day (8th May).

While current social distancing measures are in place it will not be possible for street parties to take place at the moment, so Mid Sussex District Council is calling for submissions for a virtual memory bank to help commemorate VE Day. Tributes and photos, memories, songs and stories of VE Day and what it means will be merged into a showreel and presented on the Council’s digital platforms. Recordings of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ can also be sent to form the soundtrack to the presentation.

Earlier in the year MSDC provided grants to commemorate VE Day; but given the current national and international situation these events won’t take place at this time. The Council will of course be honouring our grant commitments when recipients feel they are in a position to mark the many sacrifices made and to commemorate the end of WWII.

Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Community said: “This is an important commemoration and we want to do everything we can to ensure it is marked. Somehow it is even more relevant, as we all recognise the bonds of friendship and community we are experiencing anew, that we commemorate those who gave so much at that time”.

Please send photos and poems for Mid Sussex Virtual VE Day to comms@midsussex.gov.uk or via the Council’s Facebook channel. You can upload film or songs to a special form at www.midsussex.gov.uk/VE2020

Deadline for submissions in Monday 4th May 2020. MSDC cannot guarantee all will be used but the team will try to use as many as possible. Before submitting you must ensure you have permission for any items to be displayed publicly.

Haywards Heath Foodbank UPDATE

Haywards Heath Foodbank

Haywards Heath Foodbank

UPDATE APRIL 2020: Haywards Heath foodbank has recently moved to larger premises and is able to safely offer delivery only service to its clients. In the CV-19 crisis is higher than ever and a series of new food collection points has now been set up including: Co-op in Lindfield High Street and Waitrose in Haywards Heath. All donations of non-perishable items will be gratefully received.

For more information about the foodbank visit: www.haywardsheathfoodbank.org.uk

By Claire Cooper

When the Haywards Heath foodbank opened its doors back in 2012 some people were taken by surprise. Was there really a need for a foodbank within affluent Mid Sussex?

But the effects of low incomes and rising prices, temporary and zero hours contracts and changes to the benefits system have been felt across the country, and people in villages, towns and cities are increasingly relying on foodbanks to help them through difficult times.

I visited Haywards Heath foodbank and met with Heather, the Project Coordinator, and Patricia, one of the many volunteers.

“When the foodbank first opened, the thought of Haywards Heath needing a foodbank was quite shocking to many people,” said Heather. “But today people are much more aware that families are struggling everywhere and the foodbank is becoming recognised as part of the local community.

“There can be a very fine line between making ends meet and falling into food poverty,” she added. “Loss of a job, illness or an unexpected expense, like a boiler breaking down, can all have a dramatic effect on the family finances. Most people on low incomes will have times when they need some extra help.”

Haywards Heath foodbank is affiliated to the Trussell Trust, which was established in 2000 and has a network of over 1,200 centres across the country providing emergency food and support to people in crisis.

Since opening eight years ago, the foodbank has grown steadily with both food donations and numbers of clients increasing year on year.

In the calendar year ending 31st December 2019 the amount of food donated and distributed increased by 29% to 15.7 tons, and clients helped grew by 28% to 2,121.

“In December 2019 we distributed 2.2 tons of food, up 50% on December 2018,” said Heather. “Clients helped were up 38%, at 349, and 45% are children.”

The service operates through a voucher system, with clients referred from over 100 organisations throughout Mid Sussex. Foodbank vouchers are distributed by front line professionals from social services, doctor’s surgeries and hospitals, but are also available from the Citizens Advice Bureau, local schools and churches. “It’s important the vouchers are readily available for people identified as in need, in hardship or in crisis,” said Heather.

Each voucher provides the client with three days’ worth of non-perishable, nutritionally balanced food. “The vouchers carry details of the number of family members and any special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian or gluten intolerant - we try to meet their needs wherever possible.”

Heather is particularly passionate about making sure families have enough to eat during the school holidays when children might be missing out on school meals, breakfast and after school clubs. “That’s why it’s really important that schools have vouchers available to give out.”

In addition to non-perishable food items, donations of miscellaneous items such as toiletries for all ages and household cleaning products are also welcomed.

Haywards Heath foodbank is run by a team of around 80 volunteers. Heather, who joined initially as a volunteer with her husband five years ago after working for the NHS, said: “Our volunteers come from all walks of life.”

The volunteer roles are varied and range from co-ordinating food collections in supermarkets, running a small warehouse near Burgess Hill and greeting clients in the Distribution Centre at its main base in Sussex Road.

Heather explained that donations come from supermarket collections, churches, schools and the community, including the WI and Scout groups. “They are all just amazing,” she said. “People are incredibly generous, particularly at Harvest Festival and Christmastime.”

The foodbank website has information about items to donate. “Tinned meat, fish and vegetables are among the most needed items,” said Heather. “As we move to Springtime we particularly like to receive long life milk and fruit juice.”

All donations of food are taken to the warehouse where they are weighed and sorted by type and date ready for dispatch to the distribution centre. There, food packs are made up for clients as they arrive at the centre.

“You never know who is going to walk through the door,” said Heather. “Some people like to collect their food and leave straight away, others like to stay for a cup of tea and chat. Sometimes it’s like a mum and baby group in here! We normally have around 20 clients per session but at Christmas we can get up to 60.

“People can feel very nervous about coming in here. They can feel ashamed, but it is very warm and friendly, and the volunteers make their visitors feel at ease.”

Heather added that her aim is for people to leave with smiles on their faces, knowing that they will have a dinner and a treat for their next meal.

Sometimes former foodbank clients will return to catch up. “It’s always nice to hear how the foodbank has helped people through difficult times and to hear that our visitors have now found employment and have somewhere to live.”

As well as food packs, the Centre provides information and can signpost clients to other local support services. “During the winter we give out ‘winter packs’ which are supplied by the Council and include a blanket, hot water bottle, socks, hat and gloves.”

New volunteers are always welcome. “Our volunteer retention is very good - people enjoy working with us, but we always need more.”

Potential volunteers are asked to fill in a form and attend an informal interview before being invited for a ‘shadow shift’. “Some volunteers prefer to stay in the background and pack, while others are happier meeting the clients,” said Heather. “Some might be available for a one-off supermarket food collection - others can commit to more regular shifts.”

Volunteers include Patricia Wallace from Lindfield who has worked at the foodbank since it opened. “I enjoy volunteering at the foodbank for several different reasons,” she said. “It is such a great way to connect with, and support, others in our community who, for whatever reason, are living through hard times.

“I enjoy the camaraderie of working with the other volunteers – they’re a great bunch of people. And as I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed living in this locality for 30+ years it enables me to give something back to our community.”

With demand rising, the foodbank looks set to be a permanent fixture in Haywards Heath for the foreseeable future.

Online library services widen

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Since the closure of local libraries due to the Coronavirus pandemic, West Sussex Libraries has now created a virtual hub with activities for children and elderly people, including online books, magazines and comics, puzzles and local history.

With your library membership number you can access a lot of this information - some of which includes special member access to external providers simply because you are a West Sussex Library cardholder.

A spokesperson for the Library service said: “We know how much libraries mean to our members which is why we’ve introduced this virtual hub of your local library’s online services, all accessible from home.

“We’re talking RhymeTimeOnline, handy links for book lovers, family history content, resources for home learning, links to the latest offerings from authors, publishers and more!”

There’s even access to Theory Test Pro to help learner drives study the basics before they get on the road.

For more information search the web or put this link into a web browser: https://bit.ly/2yn1f7m

St Augustine’s, Scaynes Hill - Covid-19 plans

By Jenny Walker

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In these extraordinary and unprecedented times sadly our church building has had to close but the church in Scaynes Hill continues to be alive and active and ready to provide help to anyone in need. At the moment St Augustine’s is in a vacancy but our Assistant Priest, Lucy Hollingsworth, together with the rest of our ministry team and the Parish Administrator, are working hard to ensure that church life is maintained.

 Our services have moved online to our YouTube channel and are being viewed by almost the whole congregation. Steps are being taken to try to set up technology for those who are not currently online. We are gathering in a virtual setting to worship together using liturgy, music, readings, preaching and intercessions that have been recorded in people’s homes. Service sheets are included in the Church Newsletter which is circulated in advance via email so people can join in with the responses and hymns. It is a different way of being a church and is being much appreciated by the congregation especially over Holy Week and Easter. We are also able to do “virtual coffee” after church via BlueJeans and Home Groups are also operating in this way. The Church Newsletter is packed with useful information as well as interesting and fun things to do including weekly competitions to take part in during this stay at home time. Using her creative talents our Youth and Children’s Worker is producing wonderful colouring sheets which appeal to all ages and a range of resources for children and families to use.

 At this difficult time pastoral care is of vital importance and we as a church community hope that we are good at supporting each other. In the current crisis we are making every effort to reach out not only to church members but to the wider community including those who normally visit the church coffee shop. The Pastoral Care Team and other volunteers are keeping in touch particularly with those who are self-isolating and those being shielded. A friendly chat on the phone and words of encouragement are much welcomed and practical help such as shopping and picking up prescriptions is provided where needed. A group of local residents is also offering help to members of the Scaynes Hill community and we are in contact with these volunteers so that hopefully no one will fall through the net. We are thankful for all those, known and unknown to us, who are serving the needs of the community during these challenging times.

Local volunteer force springs to life

Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK, working together to support Lindfield, Haywards Heath and Cuckfield.

By Jacqueline Elmore

What began as a small community support group, the Haywards Heath Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group, has now more than 650 volunteers who have registered and are offering their services to all areas around Haywards Heath, Lindfield, Cuckfield and beyond.

Redwan Chowdhury, who last month posted a simple message on Facebook asking people if they required any help during this period of isolation, has since been inundated with messages of support from people in the local area. “Last week alone we received 760 calls from people either requiring support, offering to help or just calling to say thank you. Up to today I think we helped over 200 households either with their shopping, emergency supplies or prescription deliveries. Mostly we’re providing support to people in the local area but we did do a run over to Saltdean the other day to someone who needed urgent help.”

In addition, Haywards Heath Town Council, Cuckfield and Lindfield Parish Councils have now helped to distribute 12,000 ‘COVID-19 Mutual Aid UK’ leaflets in the local area to cover 60,000 people to let them know that there is support out there for anyone who is feeling isolated during this difficult time.

Redwan continued: “Despite the generosity that has been offered, there is still so much more that can be done to help. Whether that is volunteering or donating we want to help as many people as we can. For instance, we are trying to reopen The Trussell Trust Food Bank in Haywards Heath to try and gather as much funding as possible to help those who do not have any other means of support right now.”

Redwan and some of the other organisers - Barbara King (Cuckfield), Amie Cheverst (Bolnore Village), Jo Lee (Rocky Lane), Rosie Lewis (Lindfield), Lee Goodeve and Kirsty Roo (Haywards Heath) – who were very much involved in helping to kick start the Haywards Heath COVID 19 Mutual Aid Group have been overwhelmed by the kindness offered by local people.

“We never expected the amount of support and generosity that has been extended to us over the last few weeks. Thank you for stepping up and coming together as a community. We really can do beautiful things by working together. Please pass the message on, and keep the positivity and resourcefulness flowing!”

The Support phone line is: 01444 635002 or email: HaywardsNeedHelp@gmail.com.

Volunteers please get in touch via: haywardsvolunteers@gmail.com or search Facebook for more information. Financial donations can be made here.

Kids Colouring Sheet by Brett Hudson

Kids Colouring Sheet by Lindfield Artist Brett Hudson

Brett Hudson

Brett Hudson

Lindfield artist Brett Hudson has been making his own way of saying thank you to the thousands of key workers keeping this country going. His trademark people scene has taken a new look with the colouring sheet above, featuring a binman, doctor and an online delivery driver among others.

Click the image to see it larger, and then you should be able to print it out and colour it.

Thanks Brett - great idea…

Thank you key workers...

A few weeks ago we asked people of Lindfield to send in photos of amazing key workers who they know, who are doing amazing jobs at this difficult time in the life of the village/country/world! Of course, we know that NHS workers on the frontline are doing an awesome job under challenging circumstances - and a lot of us will have taken part in the collective applause for them specifically. However, we also have to thank the care workers, post men and women, refuse collectors, emergency services, teachers and shop workers.

Ava Slawinska Care worker at Chailey Heritage.jpeg

Ava Slawinska

Care worker at Chailey Heritage

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Sarah-Louise White

Caremark Mid Sussex, organising Care Workers

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Sarah Brown

Has worked for Abbey Care for 18 years

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Felix John

Police Officer with British Transport Police

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Sarah Walker

Assistant Manager at Walstead Place

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Ayshea Sayers

Care Worker

Easter Gift Bags donated by Tufnells of Lindfield

Easter Gift Bags donated by Tufnells of Lindfield

A little something…

The amazing Lindfield gift shop Tufnells - currently closed - has made up six Easter Gift Bags for these six splendid key workers - and we will do our best to make sure Sarah, Felix, Sarah, Sarah-Louise, Ayshea and Ava get theirs on their doorsteps before Easter! Thank you Tufnells. And thank you ALL KEY WORKERS for keeping us going…



We should thank the many cabin crew that helped repatriate thousands of UK citizens, and many of whom have now taken up jobs at hospitals and supermarkets!
— Baz French

Ali Brown made her appreciation clear!

I would like to say huge THANK YOU to all the businesses especially the shops which have stayed open. I know they have all been working extra hard so that we can still shop safely and locally. I am sure I am not the only person to have asked you this but feel it would be a good moral boost for them if they know the whole community appreciates what they are doing.
— Christine Clark

Distribution of Lindfield Life – April 2020 issue

Coronavirus Update - 23rd March 2020

We have decided to distribute our new issue of Lindfield Life magazine on Tuesday 24th March 2020 as planned.  

According to royalmail.com, Public Health England advise that people receiving parcels are not at risk of contracting the Coronavirus and Royal Mail themselves say ‘from experience with other coronaviruses, we know that these types of viruses don’t survive long on objects such as letters’.

We’ve asked our delivery agents to step up their own precautions and each of the team will be wearing gloves and a mask and will also be maintaining the 2m proximity guidance previously issued by UK Government.

We really don’t want to stop the physical print and delivery of Lindfield Life because we know how much our readers enjoy it in this form. But we will, of course, always act in accordance with clear government directives – so this is subject to change for the foreseeable future.

Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK supports Lindfield neighbours

Covid-19 Neighbour Support flyer

Flyers have been put through doors in Lindfield, Cuckfield and Haywards Heath and in the last few days. It reads:

Hello Neighbour,

Are you unable to leave your home because of Covid 19/Coronavirus? We’re here for you.

We are a group of local residents who would like to support the community that we live in and ensure that nobody is left isolated. We don’t ask for anything in return, we just believe in helping each other in a time of difficulty.

We are your local neighbours and not a professional body but are supported by the council.

How they can help…

  • Arranging deliveries

  • Picking up Shopping & Medication

  • A friendly phone call

  • Posting Mail

  • Urgent supplies

  • Help topping up electric or gas key

If you could like to speak to us, or want to ask for help, please call 01444 635002 or email haywardsneedhelp@gmail.com

GIVE SUPPORT: Please email haywardsvolunteers@gmail.com to join the group (or call the number above).