The Weekly Surveillance report collates published national data to describe COVID-19 cases in East Sussex, how they change over time, and how this compares to other areas. It is available online together with the East Sussex COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan. 

Parents can now book Covid-19 vaccinations for their children online. Letters are being sent to parents and guardians of 12 -15-year-olds inviting them to book a vaccination online, while many families will have already received letters from their child’s school. Visit www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

Lewes District Council is screening a set of short films entitled 'Right Here, Right Now (COP26)' at 10.30am on Friday, 12 November, at The Depot Cinema in Lewes as part of its Climate Action! Festival.

Tickets are free but booking is essential for this screening event which will provide a local focus on the climate emergency and mark the final day of the COP26 UN Climate Change summit. 

The films include productions by Brighton Screen and Film School students for the council, a film commissioned by the Environment Agency about the recently-completed  Newhaven Flood Alleviation scheme and a short film produced by the Sussex Wildlife Trust which features Sir David Attenborough.

To book your free tickets, visit the Lewes Depot website.

The screening comes at the end of a two-week Climate Action! Festival which is currently underway and runs in tandem with COP26. 

During the festival, affiliate groups of Lewes Climate Hub are hosting exhibitions, talks and workshops at the Depot Studio every afternoon, exploring themes that are critical to tackling climate change at an international, community and personal level. 

Most of these events are free, drop-in sessions. For more information, visit:                                        lewesdepot.org/ climateactionfestival/climate- hub

We're looking for 10 volunteer digital ambassadors. Could this be you?

WayfinderWoman has been awarded funding to recruit, train and support 10 female volunteer digital ambassadors.  Each ambassador will help four or more women across East Sussex to safely access digital platforms to build their confidence, skills and motivation, and improve their life chances. 

Maybe you’re a university student looking to add to your work portfolio, or a busy Mum wanting to network and get back on the career ladder after time out. Either way, we’d love to hear from you and please don’t be nervous as you will get full support from our friendly volunteer team. 

If you’re ambitious enough, we’re also looking for a volunteer project manager. This is a great way of giving back to your local community and adding to your CV. Don’t wait, get in contact and let’s get started!

Eastbourne Borough Council has landed £19.8 million investment in the town after a bid to the government's levelling up fund unlocked the multi-million pound windfall.

The cash will underpin an ambitious and far-reaching plan to link town centre regeneration with a strengthened visitor economy. Read the full details here.

Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) has released its annual report, which outlines its key activities and achievements over the past year. The charity is also supporting a new online course to help teachers and education professionals build a greater understanding of bullying experienced by young Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people. Click here for more details.

Over the summer, East Sussex County Council consulted on its plans for sexual health services ready for the new contract in October 2022.

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views. The consultation received 20 responses and feedback was broadly positive about the model. There were some key points of concern around access for certain groups and the current pressures on GP services.

In response to that feedback, the service specification has been adapted to allow two drop-in triage clinics for all ages at each clinic site in both Eastbourne and Hastings. To find out more and read the full report, visit our consultation website.

To see the results of the latest Sport England Active Lives Survey for the Sussex area, click here for the written results or here to view a video.

The regeneration of Newhaven has been given a massive boost with the announcement of £12.68 million from the Government's Levelling Up Fund.

Lewes District Council successfully bid for the money which will help re-establish the town as a maritime centre of excellence and ensure Newhaven's fishing industry receives the immediate support it needs.

Read full story here.

There is going to be a free five-a-side Futsal tournament on Convent Field in Lewes. Open to all football and futsal clubs in Sussex, it takes place on 19 and 20 March 2022, 10:00am to 6:00pm.

It will be a fun-packed family day out with bouncy castles and face painting. To register your teams, email info@londonfutsalstars.com

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, is looking for an Independent Audit Committee Member. Visit her website for more details. Closes at midday on 10 November 2021.

Don't miss the Association of Carers' Christmas Market on 13 November, 11:00am til 4:00pm at Stade Hall, Hastings. Crafts, decorations, handmade items, Christmas gifts and lots more on offer. Come along and browse our market to help raise money for unpaid carers in Hastings, and get a head start on Christmas shopping. You can find us on our website or Facebook.

Peacehaven Town Council is organising an Art Showcase to support the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The piece of art, in whatever form you prefer, should be submitted no later than 17 December 2021. All entries will be displayed in Community House until June 2022. The best entry will receive a gift from the Royal Collection Gift Shop.

For further information, please email Deborah Donovan at civicandmarketing@peacehaventowncouncil.gov.uk

The Rotary Club of Eastbourne’s ‘Alone at Christmas’ event is open to people who live alone and will be alone on Christmas Day.

Guests must live in Eastbourne, Willingdon or Polegate to benefit from free transport to and from Our Lady of Ransom Church Hall, opposite Eastbourne Town Hall. People from outside this area are also welcome, but would need to transport themselves. With around 100 guests, we also need help from volunteer drivers and assistants.

The free event starts at 12 noon, with a meal served at 1pm. We provide Christmas lunch, entertainment, tea and Christmas cake. Guests depart at around 3:30pm.

We normally telephone potential guests in November to arrange for a Rotarian to personally visit at home. Visitors will carry photographic I.D. This enables us to check guests for their ‘alone’ status and see if their mobility is sufficient to ensure they remain safe while in our care. Walking with a stick or wheeled aid is fine, but regrettably we cannot manage wheelchairs or fixed Zimmer frames. Invitations are issued at this visit.

If you, or someone you know, feels that they might qualify, please (with their permission) provide the following details for each person you suggest: full name, full address, including postcode and a phone number.

Guests: Please send this information by email to aloneguest01@gmail.com or call guest coordinator, Rotarian Dennis Thompson, on 01323 749329.

Volunteers: To be considered as a driver or helper between 12 noon and 5pm, please email your details to volunteers coordinator, Rotarian Nicola Williams, on nicolamw@btinternet.com or phone 07766 798773.

For any other questions, please contact chairman and event manager, Bob Hamblyn. Email AACEastbourne@outlook.com or phone 07788 438952.

Holding Space has launched its new events programme for parents and carers.

Coffee & Collage for parents at Pausa Coffee Shop, Dunelm, Eastbourne, starts tomorrow (4 November), 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

There are lots of other events and walk & talk sessions on offer. All details are on the Holding Space website.

The CCG Safeguarding and Looked After Children Team is hosting a multi-agency Safeguarding Week for professionals across Sussex.

The week will cover a broad range of safeguarding topics and speakers will include Sussex Police, Healthwatch, provider colleagues, education, local authority colleagues and external organisations.

Click on the links for further course details and to register to attend.

Monday 8 November

09:00-09:30 Safeguarding Week launch Event
09:30-11:30 Supporting safeguarding adolescents and the transition into adulthood 
11:30-12:30 Child sexual abuse awareness
13:00-17:00 Girls and gangs awareness

Tuesday 9 November

09:00-12:00 Domestic abuse and the impact on health and development 
10:00-11:00 Developments in exploitation in West Sussex (for West Sussex staff only) 
11:00-12:30 Suicide risks and safeguarding children
13:00-14:00 Mental health and emotional wellbeing in schools overview 
14:00-15:30 Prevention of radicalisation into violent extremism 

Wednesday 10 November

09:30-15:30 Looked-after children professionals L4 network event (for looked-after children professionals and specialist nurses only) 

Thursday 11 November

09:00-13:00 Girls and gangs awareness 
09:00-11:00 Making a difference: A Health Response to Modern Slavery and Immigration Crime (for health professionals only) 
12:00-13:00 Perplexing presentations (PP) and Fabricated Induced Illness (FII) 
13:00-14:00 Child Death Review process and learning 
14:00-15:30 Trauma informed practice and language that cares 
15:30-16:30 Liberty Protection Safeguards awareness 

Friday 12 November

09:00-11:00 Making a difference: A Health Response to Modern Slavery and Immigration Crime (for health professionals only) 
10:00-11:00 Healthwatch: Safeguarding in the community 11:00-12:00 Child sexual abuse awareness 
12:00-13:00 Information sharing (safeguarding): Data Sharing Considerations
13:00-14:00 Current safeguarding issues in secondary schools: from harmful sexual behaviours to county lines 
14:00-15:00 Internet and online safety
15:00-15:30 Safeguarding Week close event 

Zoom | 10 November 2021 | 12:30pm - 1:30pm

The Association of Charity Independent Examiners provides support and information to its members, charities and other interested parties. In the next one-hour session, Rachel Cooper discusses how to examine a charity's resilience and assess its position as a going concern. Book your place here.

Online | 11 November 2021 | 7:00pm

Mediation Plus would like to formally invite you to join us for our AGM at Wellshurst Golf Country Club. We will be joined by Barry Winbolt, well-known author and speaker on conflict coaching, who will be presenting a talk on mediation in an age of contagious anxiety.

This will be a great opportunity to find out what Mediation Plus has been up to, to learn about future training opportunities and find out how you could support and/or volunteer for the charity. Tea and coffee provided on arrival.

Please register to attend this free event via Eventbrite.

12 November | 11am meet at The Kiosk, Foyle Way, Eastbourne, BN20 7XL

Mind in Brighton & Hove is partnering with the South Downs National Park Rangers to deliver a wellbeing walk. This accessible, gentle guided walk along the South Downs Way will take in some stunning views. Ends with a cuppa and a chat in the kiosk. Email Jacy.Kilvert@mindcharity.co.uk to book.

Zoom | Fridays from 12 November to 17 December | 10am - 11:30am

Parents and carers of children and young people aged between 0-19 years and who live in East Sussex are invited to attend a free six-week Money Matters course.

The relaxed and interactive course looks at a range of ideas to help balance the family budget as well as how to access support around finances and/or debt.

Booking is essential due to limited spaces. For more information, or to book a place, please contact EHFamilyCourses@eastsussex.gov.uk

Online | 16 November 2021 from 11:00am to 12:30pm

A regular meeting space bringing together voluntary groups and organisations working to support older people. We exchange good practice, access information, find shared solutions to shared challenges and explore opportunities for working together. This informal, friendly, and supportive event takes place every third Tuesday of the month.

Hillcrest Centre, Newhaven | 17 November 2021 | 10:00am to 2:00pm

The theme for Alcohol Awareness Week this year is ‘Alcohol and Relationships’. The Change Grow Live charity and its partners are hosting a networking event open to both members of the public and organisations to come and find out more about the support offered for those affected by alcohol use.

Staff will be on hand to answer any questions people have, as well as distributing useful resources to encourage people to think differently about their drinking. 

If you would like a table space to showcase your service, or have any other questions, please contact giles.james@cgl.org.uk

Eastbourne Town Hall | 19 November 9.30am - 12.30pm 

The last 18 months have seen lots of challenges for employers and employees. The pandemic has raised its own challenges, but also hidden many others. Discover more at this free conference, which is a must for anyone who runs an organisation or has line management responsibility for staff. Open to all.

Speakers include the following:

• Victoria Regan, Partner, Employment Team, Rix & Kay - With workers returning to the workplace following the pandemic what do you need to do to ensure everyone’s health and wellbeing?
• Katie Day, Director, RDPI - When 50% of women consider leaving their career at midlife – what might that cost you? Discover how to open the conversation about mid-life and become an employer of choice.
• Laura Murphy, Director, mtc2 ltd - Anxiety and stress levels are increasing and many bad meeting habits have been taken online, increasing pressures for staff. Discover how finding time can save time and reduce stress levels.
• Stephen Holt, Chief Executive, BID: Welcoming back custom - What are businesses in the town doing to encourage confidence to shop/trade again for customers and staff and what lessons can be learnt for the future?

Booking is essential. Click here.

Online  |  1 December 2021  |  10:00am to 12:00pm

The Sussex Community Foundation is holding an online funding advice surgery for organisations who are new to applying to us, are yet to receive a grant from us, or may have applied unsuccessfully in the past.

If you are interested in attending, please email grants@sussexgiving.org.uk.

This event will tell you all you need to know about the application process, what we look for in an application and give you a chance to speak to us about your project ideas, or ask any questions.

We are also keen to improve our accessibility, so will be asking those present if there is anything we can do to help organisations in successfully applying to us in future.

Deadline for responses: 7 November 2021

Strong relationships and connected communities are essential foundations for tackling loneliness and developing overall community wellbeing. 

Local authorities in East Sussex, the NHS, the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector and others are working together – with the help of Collaborate CIC – to understand how to better support connected communities. To do this we’d like to hear from as many residents as possible. 

We have developed a survey to help us understand what connection means to you. Your responses will help us to find better ways of tackling loneliness based on real experiences of living in East Sussex. If you complete the survey, you could win one of two £50 shopping vouchers in our prize draw.

The survey can be accessed here. If you have any questions, or would like support to complete it, please contact  tajwar@collaboratecic.com or call 07513 379870 (available 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday). If you would like to complete the survey in a different format or language, please also get in touch.

Deadline for responses: 19 November 2021

Lewes District Council is inviting views on a proposal to include a local connection test in the eligibility for its self-build and custom housebuilding register.

The register provides the council with data to better understand the demand for this type of housing in the area and plan for future needs.

Deadline for responses: 1 December 2021 at 5:00pm

Following our recent consultation in relation to our Licensing Act and Gambling Policies, we are now carrying out a further consultation which supersedes the Licensing Act (CIA) Policy part of the previous consultation.

Please note that we are not reconsulting on our Gambling Policy.

We are now asking for your views on four specific options for the Cumulative Impact Assessment in Eastbourne.

We thank everyone who responded to the previous consultation and would encourage everyone who did to respond again this time.

Deadline for responses: 10 December 2021

A six-week consultation around the University of Brighton leaving its Eastbourne sites is now under way. To view the proposals in full and take part in the consultation, click here. 

Deadline for responses: 19 December 2021

An eight-week consultation has begun on a new pan-Sussex strategy setting out how local authorities will protect and assist survivors of domestic abuse in safe accommodation.

East Sussex County Council wants to know what you think of the draft strategy. Have we got the priorities right? Is there anything we have missed? Please do take part and share the details with your networks.

More than 70 stakeholders, professionals, service providers and survivors have supported the development of the strategy. Now we are asking people for their views on the priorities and recommendations set out in the strategy.

What you tell us will help us ensure we get it right and make the most of the additional funding that is being provided. The draft strategy will be updated based on people's comments ready for the final version to be published in January. 

The Eastbourne and Lewes Partnership is a multi-agency group comprising representatives from the police, council, fire service, probation and voluntary sector. Together with members of the community they all work together to make Eastbourne a safer place.

The partnership reviews the issues it addresses each year, taking into consideration trends in crime and the issues that residents tell us matter the most. In 2021/22 the issues identified as priorities included anti-social behaviour, the importance of creating safe and welcoming community spaces, tackling hate crime, domestic and sexual abuse.

As well as helping co-ordinate the activities and plans of local partners, the partnership administers grants that local organisations can apply for to fund activities, projects and programmes. Grants are available to organisations large and small. Over the past year we have funded numerous activities, including at a skate park, reduced the incidence of serious violence and knife crime, and addressed the community impact of organised crime and drug dealing, plus lots more.

If you have an interesting or innovative idea about how crime, disorder or antisocial behaviour could be tackled in Eastbourne or Lewes, please download a copy of the form from the council’s webpage and email it to communitysafety@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

We’ll check your application and give you a call back to talk it through.

East Sussex County Council has committed funding to support food security projects in East Sussex. Funding focuses on supporting projects improving food preparation and cooking skills, giving nutritional advice and for community allotments.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available. This fund has its own criteria. Apply online here.

Applications can be received at any time and will be reviewed on an on-going basis, with outcomes expected within two to three weeks of applications being received.

We recommend reading the criteria carefully before submitting your application.

Wealden District Council has three strands to its Community Grants Programme in this round for groups and organisations to benefit the people of the Wealden District:

• Recovery Fund closed on 24 October 
• Small Grants round is open until 30 November for activities between April 2022 and March 2023
• Partnerships Service Level Agreements of 3 years are also available with a deadline of 30 November

Deadline for applications: 18 November 2021 5:00pm

Communities are being offered between £1,000 and £10,000 of National Lottery funding to support action on climate change.

Projects should reflect what matters to your community and can be small in scale. They could cover food, transport, energy, waste and consumption, or the natural environment.

You do not need to be an expert in any of these areas to apply. We’re particularly interested to hear from people starting to think about taking action on climate change in their communities.

Find out more about 3VA's high-quality, evidence-based free and low-cost learning opportunities. 

More learning opportunities for voluntary and community groups and organisations.

Thursday 11 November 2021 9.30am – 4.30pm 

Thursday 2 December 2021 9.30 am – 4.30pm 

Thursday 9 December 2021 9.30am – 4.30pm

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child, (VRAC)  warmly invites those working with children and young people in the Newhaven and Hailsham areas to The Empowerment Approach training. This fascinating training will deepen your understanding of human development, supporting your work with children and young people. 

The in-person, 3-day training programme, is fully funded and free to attend; a (free) light lunch will be provided.

Venue: Newhaven Valley room, SCDA Community Centre, Denton Island, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 9BA

Place numbers are limited – please book your place via: Donna.Lonsdale-O'Brien@escv.org.uk / 0739 867 1431

Deadline for applications: 5 November 2021 at 12:00am 

Deadline for applications: 8 November 2021 at 12:00am 

Deadline for applications: 11 November 2021 at 12:00am 

Deadline for applications: 12 November 2021 at 12:00am 

Deadline for applications: 12 November 2021 at 12:00am 

Deadline for applications: 21 November 2021 at 12:00am 

Deadline for applications: 22 November 2021 at 12:00am 

Deadline for applications: 26 November 2021 at 12:00am 

Deadline for applications: 5 November 2021 at 12.00am

Deadline for applications: 14 November 2021 at 12.00am

Deadline for applications: 30 November 2021 at 12.00am

Deadline for applications: 30 November 2021 at 12.00am

Deadline for applications: 31 December 2021 at 12.00am

Deadline for applications: 1 January 2022 at 12.00am