New Witterings Care Shop officially opens to support local residents

A new community resource offering practical support, information and guidance to residents across the Witterings and surrounding villages has officially opened its doors.

The Witterings Care Shop, part of the Witterings Community Forum (Charity Number Applied for), was officially opened on Friday 11th September when local MP Jess Brown-Fuller cut the ribbon at the new shop at 8 Shore Road, East Wittering.

The Care Shop has been created to provide a friendly, accessible place where local people can come for help and guidance with some of the challenges that can become increasingly difficult to navigate as we raise a family, get older, care for someone else or find ourselves needing additional support at any stage.

Support will be available to residents across East and West Wittering, Bracklesham Bay, Earnley, Birdham, Itchenor, Highleigh and Almodington.

The team will be able to provide practical assistance with areas including benefit applications, Blue Badge applications and simple Lasting Powers of Attorney, as well as helping people to find the right local organisations and services for their individual circumstances.

It will also arrange groups for people to meet others, make connections and take part in activities designed around the needs and interests of local residents. New groups will be introduced as the needs of the community become clearer.

The aim is to make the Care Shop a welcoming place where people can drop in, ask a question, have a conversation and find out what help is available — without having to know exactly who they need to contact before they arrive.

In her opening speech, Jess Brown-Fuller said “It's a pleasure to be here to welcome this really important charity to the Community, because that's what this area is - it's a community....we are a smaller area but smaller areas do community really well.”

The opening marks an important new chapter for the Witterings Community Forum, building on the work already being done by local community organisations and volunteers.

The Care Shop has been established with support from the Woodger Trust, helping to extend the kind of practical community support available locally.

The Witterings Care Shop is now open and residents are encouraged to get in touch to find out more about the support available and upcoming groups and activities.