Being Befriended in Hurst this winter

By Gail Millar

Happy New Year to you all from Befriended. Never, like any other time in our lives, do we need friends and loved ones looking out for us more. Sadly, we were unable to host our Community Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day but instead we delivered over 100 Christmas bags to people living alone in Mid Sussex. Our bags contained all of the lovely things of Christmas like Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, chocolates, nuts, Christmas cracker, a gift, bottle of wine and a Christmas card. We also included a gift and letter from the young people of Escape youth club in Burgess Hill.

The response and feedback we have received has been quite overwhelming. Michael said: “It was the best thing that had happened to me in months and I am still enjoying so many of the wonderful contents of my Christmas Bag. Thank you.”
From Roy: “Everybody needs Befriended.”
From Pauline: “It was wonderful, it brought me so much joy at such a sad time in my life.”

Befriended is here to make a difference to the lives of those who are lonely and isolated in Mid Sussex. We are committed to our vision which is to end loneliness in Mid Sussex. If you would like to help us fulfil that vision by being a telephone befriender or when we can, a face-to-face befriender we would love to hear from you. If you would like someone to call you for a friendly chat on the phone once or twice a week please call us on 0300 772 7703 and we would be delighted to pair you up with one of our amazing team.

Befriended is also delighted and so appreciative of the award received from Mid Sussex - Thank you. Find befriended online here.

Community Christmas Lunch in Hurst

By Naomi McBain

Hope and Befriended, two local charities, are looking forward to hosting their third Christmas Day Community Lunch in Hurstpierpoint this year. Both charities believe in encouraging everyone in their community to become better connected and supportive of each other.

For many, Christmas isn’t a fun-filled, family time, as presented so often in adverts. Both charities are meeting people for whom this perfect image leaves more than a slight dread of the festivities. Perhaps it’s the intense sense of being on their own, the increased financial stress or even the heightened awareness of difficult memories.

Whatever the reason people have for joining in, we work at making this event welcoming and an opportunity for people to be part of a day that’s full of others who care. We are so grateful for the support from local businesses with generous offers of food and drink, as well as the village charity shop providing a grant to subsidise the initial event two years ago.

Our charities’ work goes on through the year too, so, quite possibly, by bringing an elderly neighbour or encouraging a family who is having a difficult time to join in the fun, they may well find an ongoing community connection to help them face what the New Year brings with more hope, joy and peace.

A father, who came last year with his son, said: “It was very welcoming and had family friendly games. The entertainment was fantastic. It made a world of difference being around people, rather than spending it alone.” The wonderful thing is that they have met up during the year with the friends made around their table. They are looking forward to joining in again this year.

The event starts as people arrive from 12.30pm to spend the next few hours enjoying plenty of chatter, fun and games, good food and musical entertainment. We listen to the Queen’s Speech and round the afternoon off with a few festive carols, before people head home at around 4pm.

If people are interested in being a part of this year’s Christmas Day Lunch, they should email admin AT befriended.org