Spring - Summer 26 Newsletter *Relaunch Special*
WELCOME TO A JOYFUL HEART NEWSLETTER marking Beltaine in true Hastings fashion with the return of the light and new shoots emerging.
Happy reading, we’ve tried to keep it snappy.
WE’RE BACK!
THE RELAUNCH OF HEART’S COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Today marks the reboot of HEART’s original service that kick started the charity six years ago and we’re so excited!
Yes, we’re opening for business again, delivering emergency food parcels, taking people to doctors and hospital appointments, getting shopping and prescriptions and lots of other one-off tasks asked of us by our community.
And we need your help - our fantastic supporters and volunteers.
We would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to Laura, our original Volunteer Network Manager, who has had a beautiful baby boy! The warmest wishes from everyone at HEART.
And a big WELCOME to Hannah our new Volunteer Network Manager, we’re very pleased to have you aboard.
Hannah is super experienced in charity work and supporting local volunteers, she has bucket loads of enthusiasm ready to relaunch and strengthen our volunteer programme after its short pause over the past few of months.
We can’t wait to reconnect with you all again.
THE INFO HUB
The Info Hub just keeps on getting busier with many in our community using the drop-in service regularly, making it a key resource that people rely on. We’re also seeing many new faces as people discover the one-to-one support and knowledge provided by our experienced Info Hub team.
With this growth our team has expanded - We would like to give a big WELCOME to Eva our new Info Hub manager, we’re looking forward to you joining us!
Eva has over 20 years experience working for community support organisations in the local area. Most recently she was Operation Manager for the Homes for Ukraine Sustainment Service in the South East.
MANDY
And…some of you may know our dedicated and OG volunteer, Mandy.
Slogging away as a community volunteer in the pandemic and then persevering through the cold days of the conception of the (mini) Info Hub to helping shape what it is now - Mandy has become part of the staff team.
This means we get her from Wednesday to Friday which is wonderful news for us and our clients.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
As you may know, last year was really tough for HEART. We managed to keep the Info Hub open by the skin of our teeth and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. But this would not have been remotely possible without Katrina.
Katrina rolled her sleeves up and got stuck in. Determined not to let our beneficiaries down, knowing that many people rely on our services so as not to fall into crisis. It’s this altruism and empathy that is Katrina’s driving force. Quite remarkable.
Thank you Katrina.
DIGITAL HUB
The Info Hub is now officially a digital hub. We have teamed up with our long term partners, the fab Eastbourne based TechResort to have a digital elf in the Info Hub everyday it’s open.
We can help with any kind of digital task that might be tripping you up like resetting a password, filling in online forms or uploading them, paying bills online or finding the information you need.
Or maybe you need some help with your smart phone or digital device?
Don’t throw it in the sea, come and see us.
PARTNERS AND EVENTS
Citizens Advice 1066 Drop-in
CA1066 are in the Info Hub on the:
1st and 3rd Weds of each month 2-4pm
Remember you may have to queue but you are welcome to have a cuppa in our community room while you’re waiting.
Macmillan Friends & Family mornings
A chance for people close to someone who has cancer to find out about support, how to talk about it, ask questions and have a chat.
It’s informal, open to everyone and you can have a cup of something.
First Thursday of each month
