June 4th, 2021.


The Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mrs. Juliet Smith JP DL, visited the Havens Community Hub to deliver thanks from the Lord-Lieutenant, Sir Peter Field KCVO, for exceptional work during the pandemic. She was accompanied by the Mayor of Newhaven, Councillor Lesley Boniface.

Meeting and talking to volunteers and staff at the Hub office in Denton, they learned firsthand about the projects that the not-for-profit organisation was launched to meet community needs, including a volunteer car driver scheme, community pantry, and activity clubs for older people.

The community pantry, Havens Food Cooperative, prevents edible surplus food from reaching landfill by working in partnership with local supermarkets to collect and redistribute food reaching the end of its ‘Best Before’ date.

Over 350 people have signed up for free membership of the volunteer car driver scheme, Havens Community Cars, which has 27 fully trained drivers. Supporting the NHS vaccination programme, the charity has transported hundreds of Havens residents to their appointments in Brighton and Eastbourne.

Deputy Lieutenant Juliet Smith and Councillor Boniface also attended the Newhaven Day Club at West Quay, where they enjoyed a lively chair-based activity session led by Helen from Dementia Support East Sussex (DSES), which included music by Vera Lynn and Johnny Cash. They spoke to the older members about their isolation during the lockdown period and the marked improvement in their mental health now that the Havens Happy Clubs have resumed, while still observing social distancing and other safeguarding measures.

To find out more about the Hub, visit www.havenscommunityhub.co.uk or see their social media pages.

To donate to the work of the Hub, visit https://localgiving.org/charity/havenscommunityhub/

Photos: Deputy Lieutenant Juliet Smith talking to Nikki Marten and Julie Terry of Havens Community Cars. Helen from Dementia Support East Sussex leading a chair-based activity session at the Happy Club. Deputy Lieutenant Juliet Smith and Councillor Lesley Boniface.