Since our meeting on the Cost of Living Crisis in November, small groups of local volunteers have been working on some initiatives which we hope will support our whole community through the winter. We are keeping in touch with each-other to try to avoid any unnecessary duplication. Here are some details of what is now available or is coming soon.
Warm Spaces with a Warm Welcome:
During the week there are places Henfield where anyone can go at times when you don’t want to turn your heating on. These are mainly available in daytimes and include Henfield Library which is registered as an official ‘Warm Space’ and is open 10-5pm Monday to Saturday.
To supplement this we have two new options:
Sunday Warm Room at Corpus Christi: The Catholic Church are opening up their Church Hall on four Sunday afternoons in January as a welcoming space for all (8th with additional Present Swap; 15th with a Clothes Swap; 22nd with a Book Swap and 29th January with Puzzles and Games, all dates between 12pm and 4pm). We hope many local people will give this a try; it could become a lovely social hub and you can turn off your home heating while your are there and save some money!
‘Wednesday ‘Coffee Cake and Wi-Fi’ at Red Oaks: 11am-4pm starting from 5th Jan 2023. Just come along to Red Oaks reception and a warm welcome awaits. No need to book ahead.
‘Don’t Dine Alone’ on Fridays at Red Oaks: Can you offer lunchtime companionship to an older resident – and in return be given a free dinner in a warm place? EVERY Friday between 1-2.30pm. Please call Red Oaks at 01273 493043 to book up.
Our wonderful Henfield Food Bank in conjunction with Horsham District Food Bank continues to go from strength to strength and there may soon be some new drop off points in the village for your donations. Currently, you can donate in Budgens or at St Peter’s Church. Please call 0300 124 0204 if you need some help.
Towards a Henfield Community Fridge – Finding a way to save food waste is another project local people are working on. We will be looking to find regular volunteers for this so do e-mail us if you can spare an hour or two per week to collect surplus food from stores or help run the project. Contact Elaine at henfieldcp.news@gmail.com to offer your time or expertise!
Home Energy Saving: All of us might benefit from learning more about the best ways to save money on heating and through insulating our homes. Sustainable Henfield are setting up a public meeting with a national energy expert on Friday 6th January in Henfield Hall at 7.30pm.
Advice on managing this winter:
Citizen’s Advice are now visiting Henfield Hall every other week. Alternate Thursdays 9.30am- 1.30pm the first January date is, 5 January. Advice line: 0344 477 1171 (Mon-Fri, 9am- 4.30pm).
You can find information on Henfield Citizen’s Advice dates and various useful local support groups and possibilities on henfieldbn5.co.uk in the ‘services’ section, under the ‘support’ tab, here.
Be Prepared
Finally, although the latest advice is that rolling power cuts are ‘unlikely’ this winter, it’s always good to be prepared, just in case.
You may be eligible to be on the ‘priority services register’ – if you are of state pension age, are disabled or have a long term condition, are pregnant or have young children; the list is extensive. Please see here for advice on registering, you will need to contact your energy provider to do so.
Think of the practical ways to prepare, for example; make sure that you have working torches and spare batteries; make sure a first aid kit is easily accessible and well stocked; keep your mobile phone charged (as well as any power banks to extend battery life).
If you have a stair lift or equipment for your health or mobility, does it work without power? If not, discuss this with your energy provider if it’s not possible to make alternative plans. Have warm clothing accessible in your home to wear indoors, including hats and gloves. Look out for your neighbours, and don’t be ashamed to ask for help if you need it yourself.
If you would like more information on local support with managing this winter, contact henfieldcp.news@gmail.com. We also want to hear from anyone in the local community who would like to offer time or expertise on any of our developing projects.
Gillian Perry, on behalf of the Henfield Cost of Living Response Group