Three stories of innovative work from voluntary organisations based in Rother

Little Gate Farm

Claire Cordell introduces the work of Little Gate Farm, based in Beckley, which provides training and skills supports adults with learning disabilities to enter paid work. Last year the goal was to help seven adults into paid work, and they met this aim with six of the seven planed in paid employment in Rother. Claire took the delegates through case studies of individual adults with learning disabilities that have been through the Supported Employment Programme.

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Bexhill Town Team

Hilary Randall chair of Bexhill Town Team explains how the Bexhill Town Team has invested funding to provide a variety of schemes to support local businesses, initiatives and increase footfall to the main shopping street. This includes:

• Supporting farmers market
• Installing bicycle racks throughout the town centre
• Bexhill Shopping Guide
• Supporting ‘MotoFest’ – town centre based event
• Supporting RDC in application to Coastal Communities Fund

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The Pelham

Ollie Jeffs explained The Pelham was an old railway hotel and then became a family pub. In 2009 it was closed and boarded up. A local church in Sidley, researched the possibility of buying the building to transform to a community hub. They raised over £400,000 and negotiated the purchase as The Pelham Trust. Following this, grants from a variety of sources has enabled the development of the building, providing ‘The Coffee Lounge’, working in partnership with local organisations to create a drop-in facility for community engagement, building friendships and support. In 2015 The Function Room and Kitchen was opened, allowing community participation in health and social activities from fitness classes to cookery courses. Over 30 volunteers help to keep The Pelham contributing to Sidley and the wider town.

Ollie invited delegates to come to The Pelham and have a look at the work they do.