Haywards Heath law firm announced first community champion winner

Vicky Small, who works in the Mid Sussex early help process team at West Sussex County Council, has won in the first round of nominations after Tisshaws asked residents to nominate people who have gone the extra mile to help their community.

Gilva Tisshaw, family lawyer at Tisshaws, said: “We launched the community champion search as we wanted to acknowledge some of the positive stories and people that have come out of this incredibly challenging time.

“Vicky’s story demonstrates how by adapting you can help so many people and although Vicky is our named winner it is a real story of a team pulling together.

“Vicky and her colleagues have worked tirelessly over and above their usual responsibilities and service provision.

“Their whole way of working has been turned upside down due to not being able to directly support families that are experiencing difficulties.

“They have reworked their practices and are now supporting multiple families throughout Mid Sussex who need more assistance, with children and parents suffering greater anxiety in these troubling times.

“The team have gone as far as buying nappies and formula for new mums who are unable to afford these basics, through to arranging food bank collections.

“The team and Vicky also support local Mid Sussex schools who are looking after vulnerable children and those of key workers to ensure that support is always there and help given when asked for.

“Vicky and her team have on numerous occasions gone above and beyond what is expected in their role.”

The nomination said it was ‘very difficult’ to put into words how dedicated Vicky and her team are, and that if they could they would have nominated everyone in the team.

However, when Vicky was contacted with the news that she had been nominated and won, she said she would use the £50 voucher from The Bay Tree Coffee Shop to treat the team to coffee and cake.

Tisshaws is picking a winner at random every two weeks throughout July.

Each winner will receive a £50 voucher purchased from local businesses such as Pruners Hair & Beauty Salon, Go Botanica and The Bay Tree, supporting local businesses as well as rewarding local heroes.

Email your nominations to [email protected] or by post to Tisshaws’ Community Champions, 3 Hazelgrove Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 3PH