Henfield Community Partnership

The Henfield Community Partnership (HCP) was set up in 2005 and brings together volunteers to support a wide range activities to enhance the wellbeing of the village and its surroundings. Volunteering for the Partnership is an ideal way to get to know your local community better, but don’t just take our word for it, this is what new committee member Dawn has to say about it:

What motivated you to join HCP?

“I moved to the area last summer, having taken early retirement from a busy travel career and was looking for a bit of a hobby. In October I checked the Horsham District voluntary sector and came across the Henfield Computer Club. Now I’m no IT geek but part of my career involved coaching and training so I got in touch to see if I could help. This is where I met Sue Willis and the team who were incredibly welcoming and friendly. Sue soon introduced me to the work she does for the Henfield Community Partnership and I just wanted to help her so joined the HCP committee in February this year.”

Have you made new friends or discovered new things through your membership?

“I’ve met so many lovely friendly people through the Computer Club and HCP and some of these have become firm friends too. I rarely walk through the village without bumping into someone I now know which is so lovely. I’ve even introduced friends to the village and they come and have a stall once a month at the Monday Market.” 

Is there something which you've been involved with which has had a positive impact for others?

“Three things really stand out for me: Firstly, the closure of Budgens, which gave me the opportunity to connect with several of the local businesses. This really reinforced to me the importance of shopping locally and why HCP wanted to put the directory together to share with the village. The businesses were so open to ideas and the idea then evolved with help from BN5 and HDC to create a pull out booklet – this was just incredible.
“Secondly, meeting passionate locals who were keen to create the Henfield Walking Group and share their knowledge and the beauty and history of this wonderful village.
“However, The best part so far, was working with Sue to host the ‘Get Involved’ event at the Henfield Hall to support the various clubs and societies. We had over 50 exhibitors and just under 300 visitors through the doors which was brilliant. The support in getting the event off the ground was incredible with so much willingness to help. This has given the partnership a great platform to continue supporting the clubs and charities as they do so much for the community.”

Have you used skills from your working life / previous jobs in a positive way to help HCP?

“That’s a resounding yes! I’m quite an organised and service driven person and my career was incredibly busy and varied which meant I’ve been able to tap into a variety of skills. For instance, my technical and coaching knowledge with the Computer Club and helping the Museum create their new poster in the library car park. My communication skills for the various newsletters we create, my event/project planning experience for the Get Involved day and my passion to help people has lead me to offer services to the Girl Guides and Self Help Group."

Have you had any positive moments you can share?

“There’s been a few actually... At the Computer Club there was one lady who had bought a new iPad and having spent four hours in the Apple Store with a ‘genius’ she came home totally confused with her old and new iPad and couldn’t make either work. We spent an hour together setting the new one up to suit what she needed and wiping the old one. The relief and smile on her face when we were done was so rewarding. Another is where I’ve managed to help a lady streamline her outgoings so that she is getting better value and making her hard earned pension go further, especially with the cost of living crisis.”

Have you mastered any new skills? 

“Learning to say no.... nope still not mastered that one! However every day is a learning day and being involved in the Partnership presents various new challenges. I often find myself saying ‘I can help with that’ and then thinking ‘How am I going to do that?’ It pushes me outside of my comfort zone and although that can be a bit scary at times it is so very rewarding. Some of my new skills include learning how to edit the Computer Club website, how to create QR codes, sharing opportunities on social media and understanding how a charitable organisation is run. I am so grateful for the opportunities and friendships that Henfield has given me.”

Dawn Butcher, Henfield Community Partnership

About us...

Henfield Community Partnership (HCP) brings together volunteers to support a wide range of community projects. HCP members aim to work together on issues and projects of interest and concern to Henfield and its surrounding communities, in order to secure its long term viability as a centre of social, business and cultural activities, and to maintain its particular character and heritage.

Membership of Henfield Community Partnership is free and open to:

• any individual over 18 years' old, living in Henfield, who has an interest in Henfield and its surrounding area and who wants to help deliver the objectives of the partnership

• any association which is interested in and committed to furthering the work of the Partnership and who wants to help deliver the objectives of the partnership

• a Parish, District and County Council having responsibility for part of Henfield.

If being a Committee Member is not for you, you can still help us with any of our many projects. Initiatives include: Bump to Baby, Henfield Artisan Market, Sustainable Henfield 2030, Henfield Computer Club and Hidden Henfield.

Join us...
Individuals can sign up to join at any time, which means you'll get our regular newsletters and opportunities to get more involved in our community.

If you are interested, just contact us at: henfieldcp.info@gmail.com or c/o Henfield Parish Office, Coopers Way, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9EQ.