Enriching communities and supporting worthy groups
The independent family-owned brewery and hospitality business Hall & Woodhouse has announced 16 worthy recipients of the 2023 Hall & Woodhouse Communitychestawards,alllocal volunteer-led organisations that serve local communities.
The annual awards are run withthesupportofsussexworld anditsweeklynewspapersacross East and West Sussex and have been since their inception 20 years ago.
Hall&woodhouse,knownfor itsaward-winningbadgerales,established the awards in 2002 and offers an annual fund of £55,000 to provide help for local communities in the south of England trading area.
Theoriginalanstybrewery,in Blandford in Dorset, was founded in 1777 and goes back seven generations. Mark Woodhouse, the family director who created the initiative, said the aim was to provide long-term help for local people. Speaking at the awards evening at The World's End in Patching on Friday, January 12, Mr Woodhouse said: “We exist to make people's day, enrich our communities and do it from generationtogeneration.weactually providefundsforlocalcommunities and our target is £1million by 2027. We are very much a valuesled organisation and we live and breatheourvalues.wewanttobe cherishedbyourteamsandcherished by our communities.”
With a drinks business and hospitality business operating fromkenttocornwall,hepointed outthatpubswerethefocalpoint ofthecommunityandsowerethe awards.mrwoodhouseadded:“it isbasicallylocalhelpforlocalpeople. I don't believe any organisation can survive without the love and support of their local community.
“Any sort of voluntary organisation can apply. It is really about working together to improve the lives of local residents and about encouragingotherorganisations to support their community.
“It is about offering access to funds to support organisations that help themselves. These are small, local, volunteer-led, trustworthy organisations that are really needed and they make a real difference.” Award judges presented cheques to representatives from the 16 worthy winners in the area and a buffet was providedtogivethevolunteersanopportunity to network and share ideas.
Gary Shipton, Editor in Chief of Sussex World, who has been a judge throughout, thanked Mr Woodhouse on behalf of the recipients.hesaid:“iknowthehuge amountoftimethatmarkandthe otherjudgesputin,howthorough andforensictheyareinassessing the groups, and how genuinely committed Hall & Woodhouse are in seeking to support their communities.”
Among the recipients were:■aru■cou■selli■gce■trei■ Littlehampton which offers lowcost individual counselling and therapy for adults. The £2,000 award will be used to provide free appointments for those who are unable to afford the cost of therapy.
■ Being Neighbourly in East Grinsteadisasupportgroupthat helps with shopping, collecting prescriptions and befriending. The £1,500 award will be used to increasetherangeofservices,including a new gardening service.
■ Care in the Garden CIC in Ryde on the Isle of Wight creates work opportunities for adults with additional needs, including horticultureandwoodcrafts.the £3,000 award will be used to purchase equipment for hospitality training.
■ Chattertots in Berkshire is a parents-run charity focused on speech and language therapy for children with Down Syndrome. The £1,000 award will support a school box project for children starting primary education.
■ Chichester & Arun Down Syndrome Group runs dance sessions for children and young adults,withtheethosofsupporting the whole family. The £1,000 award will support the Dance Crew.
■ Children’s Bookfest in Chichester books authors into schools and provides books, so childrencanfeelthejoyofowning a book of their own. The £1,000 award will be used to fund books for the foodbank.
■ East Sussex Foster Care Association in Eastbourne looks after children who have to move in and out of foster care, and sometimes have nothing but a bin bag. The £2,500 award will be used to provide luggage and storage boxes.
■ Eastbourne Area Communityfirstresponderswillusethe £1,000awardtoupdateadefibrillator.
■ Chalk Farm Hotel Learning Disabilities Centre supports adultswithlearningdisabilitiesin the Eastbourne area. The £3,000 awardwillbeusedtowardstraining costs.
■ Fareham District Scout Band is a traditional marching bandandthe£1,000awardwillbe usedtofundaconvertedshipping container to store instruments.
■ Grandads Front Room CIC inbognorregisisasupportgroup for the community, offering furniture, food and more for those in need. The £2,000 award will fund a warm space, pantry and outreach services.
■ Jubylee Bakes in Crawley offersskillstrainingthroughbaking, including making cakes for Arundel Museum. The £3,000 award will go towards essential running costs.
■keycha■gesmusictherapy inwinchesteroffersmusictherapytoimprovelivesofthemostvulnerablepeople.the£1,700award willfundtastersessionsandtherapy for people with dementia.
■ Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association, a support association where families can play and learn together, received a £1,000 award.
■ Terry's Place in Chichester is a day care charity offering a sanctuary by providing a range of support and various activities for older people and their carers. The £1,500 award will help fund eventsforadultsandtheircarers.
■worthi■gtablete■■isclub offersoutreachincarehomesand the £1,250 award will fund tables and equipment.