Date for diaries: next Hailsham Community Groups forum

The Hailsham Community Groups Forum is always looking for community groups, associations and charities in the area to exchange ideas, learn from each other, network and collaborate, and is urging representatives to mark the date of the next meeting in their diaries.

The next forum will take place from 6pm-8pm on Thursday 9th May at the Hailsham Parish Church lounge.

The forum regularly hosts speakers from voluntary services organisations, grants advisors and other charities. The group continues to build communication networks and create a louder voice with other voluntary and statutory groups.

The long-term benefits of joining the forum could be cost savings through group negotiating power with printers, suppliers, donations and local businesses, sharing resources like gazebos and tables and more.

Several groups have already benefited from the forum by taking stalls at the Hailsham Street Market, collaborating to fund-raise together and collectively promoting and raising awareness of their organisations.

The Forum meets monthly and is made up of around 30 community organisations including Hailsham Active, Hailsham Tennis Club, Hailsham Lions, Hailsham Choral Society, Demelza Hospice Care For Children, Hailsham & District Flower Club, Hailsham Art Club, Hailsham & District Twinning Association and Hailsham Bonfire Society.

"The Hailsham Community Forum has grown since its launch with new groups being represented every month," said Deputy Town Mayor and Vice-Chair of the Communities Committee, Cllr Anne Marie Ricketts.

"We are looking for additional members that can include local community groups, voluntary associations, charities, parent/teacher groups and residents’ associations among others, to share information on developments of interest including new funding opportunities, in addition to enabling partnership working with other organisations."

"These community meetings are a good opportunity to network, seek help on fundraising, project work and other matters and feed off each other’s ideas. The forum brings together voluntary groups and helps give us an insight into the needs of the local community."

If you are interested in attending, contact Hailsham Town Council on 01323 841702 or by email: [email protected].