The Mayor’s Christmas Appeal – in aid of local Befriending Services

The Mayor’s Christmas Appeal is raising funds to support those in our community who are socially isolated and lonely because of COVID-19. Many older people and others with health vulnerabilities have been in extended lockdown since March and are now facing a long and lonely winter.

The Mayor’s Christmas Appeal will support three charities that provide befriending services to residents in Burgess Hill: Neighbourly Care, Age UK and St Peter & St James Hospice. Please give generously this Christmas to help provide a friendly voice and listening ear, and let those who are isolated because of COVID-19 know they are not forgotten.

Neighbourly Care is a local charity whose DBS checked volunteers can help people of all ages in need of assistance with shopping, collecting prescriptions and befriending phone calls. They can be contacted on 07876 066368 or by email at neighbourlycare@outlook.com.

Age UK Cherry Tree Centre provides befriending phone calls for a friendly chat for those who are feeling lonely or isolated. Their helpline is 01903 731800 or they can be contacted by email at information@ageukwestsussex.org.uk or call the centre on 01444 236497.

St Peter and St James Hospice has recently launched ‘Community Reach’, a free emotional support service to tackle isolation and loneliness in Mid Sussex. It provides access to free counselling or caller companion support from qualified and expertly trained hospice volunteers. The service is open to anyone who feels they are struggling with increased isolation, or who has been directly affected by Covid-19 through family illness, bereavement and loss. To find out more, contact the team at St Peter & St James Hospice by emailing crs@stpjhospice.org or calling 01444 471598.

The Town Council will cover all administration costs, so 100% of your donations will go to the charities.