Hello 2024! I hope that you all were able to have time together over the festivities to see out the end of one year and look towards what another year brings. It you’ve made New Years resolutions like moving, starting a new job or enterprise , I wish you all the best.
I was honoured with many others, the Greenaway Foundation deliver their amazing Christmas Hampers to local families who needed a bit of extra help. Many charities and community groups will already be thinking months ahead regarding their local projects. If you are looking for volunteering opportunities do contact the group that you are interested in supporting or contact Mid Sussex Voluntary Organisation at [email protected] who will be very happy to hear from you.
Christmas, for all its fun brings a lot of waste! It’s pleasing to see tree recycling for various charities and are are lots of post-Christmas recycling opportunities. Indeed Holy Trinity Church will be collecting candlewax stubs for a group of Ukrainians living in Newick, there is a box in the church porch. If you know of any more recycling projects do let me know.
I was pleased as the DWP Minister responsible last year to confirm millions of eligible people will receive a Cost-of-Living payment of £299 between 6th and 22nd of February 2024, providing a much-needed financial boost during the colder winter months. This is the final of three Cost-of-Living payments for those on means tested benefits. Those who need extra support can contact their local council as they may be able to get assistance through the Household Support Fund. This payment will be sent automatically by the DWP and HM Revenue and Customs to those on tax credits, so eligible people do not need to apply or take any action to receive it.
Funded by the Government, the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme is offering voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) independent energy assessments to help identify energy-saving opportunities in their buildings. From January, the scheme will also be offering capital grants to implement measures recommended in the assessments- more information is here: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/vcseenergyefficiency/
