2 6 t h J u n e 2 0 2 6
B r i g h t o n C e n t r e
S h a p i n g T o m o r r o w
E a r l y B i r d t i c k e t s o n s a l e u n t i l 3 1
D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 5 ! s t
T h a n k y o u t o o u r m e d i a p a r t n e r
S u s s e x B u s i n e s s T i m e s
Welcome to the December issue of Sussex Business Times, our Christmas celebrate 50 years of SBT.
spotlight on the grassroots charities, community champions and unsung heroes making life better for people across Sussex. And this year, as we mark half a century of sharing business stories, it feels more meaningful than ever.
Fifty years ago, Alan Harvard launched SBT with a simple mission: to champion local businesses and bring their stories to life.
Twenty years later, Lee Mansfield took that vision into a new era, modernising the publication and expanding its reach across the county.
And now, in our 50th year, we’re incredibly proud to honour that legacy as we look ahead to the next chapter.
This issue is also special because it marks the first edition with Jackie Irving stepping into her new role as Managing Director, helping steer both SBT and our evolving Sussex Business Club into an exciting future. Jackie’s passion for community, connection and meaningful storytelling embodies exactly what SBT has always stood for, and everything it will continue to stand for in the years ahead.
Across this bumper Christmas edition, you’ll find remarkable stories:
♥ local charities transforming lives
♥ grassroots community projects bringing joy to our streets
♥ youth initiatives, health organisations and mental-health champions
♥ businesses giving back in powerful, authentic ways
As this year draws to a close, we want to express our heartfelt thanks, to our contributors, partners and sponsors, to our thriving business community and to every reader who continues to support and believe in the power of local storytelling.
2025 has been an extraordinary year of growth, change and community spirit, and as we step into 2026 the year we publish our 500th issue, we couldn’t feel more optimistic or excited for what’s ahead.
From both of us, and the entire SBT family, Have a wonderful Christmas, a restful break, and a joyful start to the new year.
Sam & Jackie
Sussex Business Times
Managing
Jackie Irving jackie@countybusinessclubs.co.uk 07727 243202
Chairman/Chief Storyteller
Sam Thomas sam.thomas@countybusinessclubs.co.uk 07894 762304
Kim Butler kim@lifemediagroup.co.uk
As business leaders, we talk a lot about goals, setting them, reviewing them, communicating them. Yet very few people are ever taught how to set goals effectively. One person who has dedicated his life to changing that is Brian Mayne, a globally recognised UK personal development expert best known for creating the Goal Mapping system. His methodology,
first developed in 1995, has reached more than six million people and is used by organisations including Microsoft, Disney, Siemens and Coca-Cola.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Goal Mapping, and it remains as relevant as ever. Brian will be joining Vistage leaders this November to explore the science behind effective goal-setting, a subject close to my heart as a Vistage Chair, having seen first-hand how transformative
the right goal-setting habits can be for UK business leaders and their teams.
From the Fairground to Global Influence
Brian’s story is extraordinary, not because of privilege, but because of resilience. Born into two of Britain’s oldest travelling circus families, he grew up on the road, left school at 13, and reached adulthood unable to
read or write. By his late twenties, after an initially successful career running a popular Isle of Wight nightclub, he faced financial collapse: bankruptcylevel debt, a repossessed home and a marriage breakdown.
With no qualifications and no formal experience outside the family business, Brian was forced to reset his life. He entered direct sales and, through a chance meeting with a trainer, discovered the world of personal development. The tools he learned didn’t just transform his sales performance, they helped him teach himself to read and write within a year.
His rapid turnaround sparked further
curiosity from others, leading him to design his own system: the Goal Mapping methodology that has now influenced millions.
What sets Goal Mapping apart is its integration of words and images to activate both sides of the brain:
• Imagery engages the creative, subconscious mind
• Affirmations stimulate the conscious mind
Together, they create a powerful mental blueprint that helps people define what they want, why they want it, and how they plan to achieve it.
For leaders, this dual approach not only strengthens personal clarity but also provides a replicable method for helping teams stay aligned and accountable.
In his workshops, Brian starts with mindset. Leaders learn how positive thinking isn’t just motivational talk, it is grounded in neuroscience. Our thoughts influence our emotions, and our emotions drive our behaviour. Understanding this link is essential before setting goals.
Once the mindset foundation is in place, attendees build their own Goal Maps, identifying:
• Clear and specific objectives
• Their motivation behind each goal
• The practical actions required
• Supporting individuals or resources
• Key milestones and timelines
Many UK businesses apply this system across teams, creating a shared organisational map supported by individual responsibility maps. The
result is stronger alignment, ownership and momentum.
With economic uncertainty, ongoing shifts in workforce expectations, and rapid advancements in technology, today’s leaders must operate with greater clarity and adaptability than ever. Goal Mapping offers a grounded, practical framework that helps leaders:
• Think more strategically
• Communicate more clearly
• Engage teams more effectively
• Maintain direction during periods of change
Simply put: it bridges the gap between ambition and execution.
Leadership today is challenging, fastpaced and often isolating. But you do not have to navigate it alone.
Vistage exists to support business leaders, offering a confidential, collaborative environment where leaders can think differently, challenge assumptions and make better decisions. If you are a business leader in Sussex looking for a space to grow, gain clarity and connect with fellow leaders who truly understand the pressures you face, I’d be delighted to talk to you about Vistage.
Let’s explore how we can help you and your business achieve more in 2026 and beyond.
Visit vistage.co.uk or contact Chair
David Harding to learn more: david. harding@vistagechair.co.uk
Eastbourne marketing agency designs limited edition Pale Ale label to mark milestone anniversary
PRG Marketing Communications has joined forces with local favourite Long Man Brewery to create a special edition can design for the award-winning Long Man Pale Ale –celebrating PRG’s 45th year in business.
The one-off label, designed inhouse by PRG’s creative team and appropriately named ‘THE BIG FOUR FIVE’, reimagines the brewery’s popular 4.2% ABV Pale Ale in the agency’s signature red and white colours. The limited-edition cans feature a bold repeating pattern that sits at a 45°angle – a subtle nod to PRG’s milestone anniversary.
The Pale Ale itself has had an exceptional couple of years, winning Silver at this year’s World Beer Awards following its victory last year at the 2024 International Brewing Awards.
To see the collaboration come to life, some of the PRG team visited Long Man Brewery to watch the first run of cans roll off the production line.
Simon Groves, Managing Director at PRG, said: “Long Man Brewery is one of Sussex’s finest and we couldn’t think of a better partner to help us raise a toast to 45 years of creativity. The Pale Ale is a personal favourite for many of the team – and having the opportunity to design something unique for it felt like the perfect way to mark this milestone. It’s been a real celebration of local craft, both in beer and in branding.”
Tom O’Neill, Director at Long Man Brewery added: “It’s been a real pleasure working with PRG on this special project. Their passion for great design mirrors our passion for great beer – and we’re thrilled to see our award-winning Pale Ale dressed in a bold new look to celebrate their 45th anniversary. We hope everyone
enjoys the story behind the can as much as the beer inside it!”
Founded in 1980, PRG has grown from a family-run PR consultancy into one of East Sussex’s most established full-service marketing agencies, with a strong track record of supporting regional businesses through creative campaigns, branding and digital strategy.
The total run of 700 ‘THE BIG FOUR FIVE’ Pale Ale cans will be gifted by PRG to clients, family and friends as a celebration of its milestone anniversary.
Watch the video of PRG’s collaboration with Long Man Brewery here: https://www.youtube.com/ shorts/0H2hfA1p5uk
Or to find out more about PRG’s 45-year legacy visit: https://www.prgltd.co.uk/
A strategic acquisition positions ITDS as the foundation of TriHaven’s expanding technology ambitions.
ITDS Group Holdings Ltd (ITDS) and its subsidiaries, IT Document Solutions Ltd, ITDS Managed Services Ltd, ITDS Mailroom Ltd and ITDS Web Services Ltd, have been acquired by Tri Haven Group Ltd, positioning ITDS as the platform for TriHaven’s technology sector strategy.
Jermaine Weeden will continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer under the new parent company, working in close partnership with Paul Ollerton and the TriHaven M&A team.
Prior to TriHaven’s approach, ITDS had been exploring external investment to accelerate its next phase of growth. The acquisition now provides the springboard for IT Document Solutions to deliver even bigger and better technology solutions to its loyal client base, while expanding far beyond its current reach.
The swift completion of this significant deal reflects the determination, focus and shared commitment of both organisations. Jermaine and the wider ITDS team are energised by what this partnership now makes possible.
This year, ITDS celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of growth, innovation and resilience. Founded by Jermaine, the business has evolved from a specialist printmanagement provider into a fully serviced technology solutions company supporting clients across the UK and internationally. Despite facing a range of
challenges along the way, Jermaine has built ITDS into a trusted partner known for its forward-thinking approach and its commitment to helping organisations operate more efficiently and securely.
Jermaine Weeden, CEO of ITDS Group said: “As an avid sportsman, I have always had a competitive streak and pushed for business growth, passionately believing we could take this brilliant business far. TriHaven has offered us the opportunity to be the platform for something very special. We look forward to growing the business and delivering greater value to our clients, employees, partners and stakeholders. For us this is a ‘Bigger Better Stronger’ ITDS.”
Paul Ollerton, Co-Founder of TriHaven Group added: “ITDS has built a strong reputation for service, reliability and
long-term client relationships. What impressed us most was the consistency of delivery and a culture grounded in hard work and genuine care for customers – exactly the foundations we look for in a sector-leading platform.”
Under the leadership of CEO Jermaine Weeden and CFO Steven Hallissey, and backed by TriHaven’s investment, ITDS will now move into an accelerated growth trajectory. The focus includes expanding its team, investing in enhanced technology, and executing a wellstructured buy-and-build strategy within the UK IT managed services sector.
This acquisition marks the beginning of a powerful new chapter for ITDS: Bigger. Better. Stronger.
For more information regarding, ITDS Group, please visit their website.
The story of Sussex’s environment is one of paradox: nationally treasured landscapes next to stressed rivers, depleted seas, and towns that overheat and flood more often than they should. We’ve got the South Downs and the High Weald, a long and economically vital coastline, and a growing ecosystem of climate, nature and circular-economy innovators. But we also have a system that still often behaves as if nature recovery is a ‘nice extra’ - something you do after the real work of growth.
As part of the Sussex And The city project, three recent conversations
point to a clear argument for how local devolution, starting with the election of a Mayor in 2026, could put biodiversity and the green economy front and centre. Sustainability expert, and co-founder of Circular Brighton & Hove, Steve Creed, brings the “forest floor” analogy of the circular economy: in nature, waste isn’t a category, it’s a design failure. Jenny Anderson, founder of West Sussex’ Really Regenerative Centre CIC pushes the bioregional, regenerative lens: Sussex doesn’t need more short-term projects, it needs a new way of organising around living systems. And Graham Precey, corporate social impact expert and leader of the campaign to decarbonize the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry crossing
lands it in hard infrastructure: you can’t decarbonise a place with speeches; you do it through the economy of ports, ferries, freight, procurement and practical collaboration.
Devolution is a chance to move environment from being a worthy agenda to a core engine of resilience, skills, investment and civic confidence - but only if the new mayor treats it as public policy, not decoration.
Sussex nature is a huge regional advantage
Sussex has more going for it than we sometimes admit. We’re a proper
mosaic: chalk downland and woodland, productive farmland, dense urban areas, harbours and coastal waters, plus “real economy” infrastructure like Gatwick, Shoreham and Newhaven. That mix is exactly what makes Sussex a serious testbed for a joined-up green transition.
But right now the work is scattered. The region is full of strong initiatives — from Sussex Bay and marine restoration momentum, to practical circular and community-led approaches to food, housing and land. What we don’t have is a single, coherent system that connects these efforts into something bigger than the sum of their parts. Like Steve Creed puts it on the Sussex And The City podcast: we tend to operate in a “star strategy” - lots of good things radiating outward, not enough pulling in the same direction.
The risk with pan-Sussex leadership is flattening local distinctiveness. A mayoral settlement has to do the opposite: protect local identity and agency, while building the connective tissue that lets innovation travel across the county.
A pipeline, not a slogan: circular economy and green skills
If you want nature recovery at scale, you need people with skills to deliver it - and a local economy that rewards low-waste practice instead of treating it as optional. A useful mayoral priority would be to build a green skills pipeline that links:
• retrofit and heat decarbonisation training (with real placements, not just brochures)
• nature recovery and land management roles (practical restoration work, monitoring, river and coastal projects)
• circular economy enterprise (repair, remanufacture, materials recovery, local supply chains)
• data and systems capability (measurement, dashboards, “what’s working?” transparency)
This is where the economy and environment stop being rivals. Done well, the green transition becomes a route into decent work; especially for places that have been stuck with lowwage, low-security options.
An ecosystem, not a collection of projects
Jenny Anderson’s podcast interview is uncomfortable but deeply useful: she says we keep defaulting to projects because they’re containable, fundable and easy to announce. But living systems don’t work like that, and neither does long-term place change.
A regenerative approach starts by asking what Sussex is as a whole: its bioregions, its patterns of land and water, its distinctive strengths, and its relationship to neighbours across the Channel. It builds relationship before task, and it measures success by whether the place is becoming more capable of sustaining life — not just whether a KPI spreadsheet is tidy.
That doesn’t mean abandoning economics. It means modernising it. If we keep measuring success purely through short-term growth metrics, we will keep designing a Sussex that looks productive on paper while becoming less liveable in reality. (And if that sounds theoretical, try pricing up flood risk, overheating homes, or water quality failure.)
Infrastructure matters: ports, ferries and the “real economy”
Graham Precey’s ferry story is the perfect reminder that decarbonisation is not a lifestyle brand.
The Newhaven–Dieppe ferry is a
200-year link carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers and freight. Graham’s point is blunt: real economy decisions create real emissions, and real opportunities. Decarbonising a route like that isn’t just about carbon; it’s about tourism, trade, jobs, and Sussex’s ability to work across borders in a pragmatic way.
For a new Sussex mayor, this is the sort of issue that tests whether devolution is serious:
• can you convene public, private and civic partners around a shared mission?
• can you shift procurement and funding towards low-carbon outcomes?
• can you make “strategic infrastructure” mean something beyond roads and planning rows?
If Sussex wants a reputation for climate leadership, it can’t just be policy-heavy and delivery-light. It needs a couple of visible, measurable, “we actually fixed it” missions.
If the next mayor wants quick wins, make them practical: invest in the green skills pipeline, publish a clear public dashboard, back the missionscale demonstrations, and protect the local networks already doing the work.
Sussex is ready to deliver. It just needs the right levers.
To listen to expert opinion and insight, and to catch up on everything you need to know about devolution in Sussex and Brighton, visit sussexandthecity.info
Finance Stuart Noakes, Partner and Head of Tax, Carpenter Box
Many business owners were watching the Autumn Budget closely to see whether the Chancellor would introduce further cost pressures after a challenging year. However, this Budget was noticeably kinder to businesses than last year’s, with fewer direct tax increases and a more measured approach to reliefs and thresholds.
Below is a summary of the key announcements and what they mean for employers, business owners and growing companies.
Freezing of allowances and tax rate bands
The freezing of the personal and other allowances, along with the current tax rate bands until 2030/31 will have the biggest tax impact on the country as a whole over the next few years.
Depending on the rate of inflation and each taxpayer’s circumstances, this “fiscal drag” is equivalent to a few percentage points increase in the income tax and National Insurance rates.
Minimum wage increases
Above-inflation increases to both the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage were confirmed. While expected, these changes will particularly affect sectors with a high proportion of employees on minimum wage, including hospitality, leisure and entertainment, retail, care and support services.
For these industries, where labour costs make up a substantial proportion
of overall business expenditure, the increases could be significant.
The Chancellor did announce targeted business rates support for hospitality and leisure businesses to help soften the impact. Details will follow, but any reduction will be welcomed by operators who have faced sustained cost pressures since the pandemic.
One of the more notable announcements relates to pension salary sacrifice. Currently, both employers and employees save National Insurance on all eligible salary sacrifice pension contributions. From April 2029, this will change.
Under the new rules:
• The first £2,000 of pension contributions made via salary sacrifice will continue to be free from employer and employee National Insurance.
• Any contributions above £2,000 will attract National Insurance at the usual rates.
HMRC will consult on how this will operate in practice, but businesses have several years to plan. For now, employers can continue with existing arrangements while awaiting further technical guidance.
A reduction in the writing down allowance for plant and machinery, from 18% to 14%, was announced. This will only affect companies with longstanding capital allowance pools or very high historic capital expenditure.
The Full Expensing regime remains unchanged, meaning most new qualifying plant and machinery can still be written off at 100% in year one. As a result, the impact of this change will be minimal for the majority of businesses investing in new equipment.
Leasing companies are not entitled to Full Expensing but will benefit from a new 40% First Year Allowance.
Businesses using employee share schemes will see some positive developments:
• EMI thresholds have been expanded so that companies with up to 500 employees and no more than £120m in gross assets can now qualify. This significantly broadens the number of mid-sized companies able to offer taxefficient employee share options.
• EIS eligibility has also been extended to businesses with up to £30m in gross assets. While this will only apply to a minority of companies seeking investment, it is a welcome enhancement to the UK’s growth-focused incentives.
These changes may encourage more employers to adopt long-term incentive plans and make it easier for scale-up businesses to raise external capital.
Sales to an EOT, an increasingly popular approach to succession planning, also saw a significant change.
Previously, business owners selling their company to an EOT could claim full relief from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the sale. Moving forward, only 50% of the gain will be subject to relief from CGT and the remaining 50% will be taxable at the standard CGT rates.
Although this reduces the impact of the relief, an effective 50% CGT relief remains attractive for many business owners considering an employee-led ownership model.
Perhaps the most important announcement for many business owners relates to the taxation of dividends. From 6 April 2026, dividend income tax rates will rise by 2% for basic rate
taxpayers and higher rate taxpayers There is no change for additional rate taxpayers until 6 April 2027.
Dividend tax rates have increased notably in recent years and the cumulative effect will be meaningful for entrepreneurs who continue to withdraw most of their income from their companies by way of dividend. This may lead many to reconsider:
• how they take profits
• whether their current business structure remains optimal
• whether a combination of salary, dividends and pension contributions is more tax-efficient
• how future profits should be timed or distributed
Each business owner’s circumstances should now be reviewed on a case-bycase basis to ensure the most taxefficient approach is identified.
April 2027 will also bring a 2% increase in the income tax rates that apply to property and savings income.
Last year, the big talking point was the changes to inheritance tax with 100% business or agricultural property relief restricted to an allowance of £1m per individual (with 50% relief on any qualifying assets above this limit) with effect from 6 April 2026 and with unused pension savings due to form part of an individual’s estate from 6 April 2027.
There have been no substantial amendments to the new legislation that will be introduced next year and the year after.
Mitigating the effects of the upcoming changes has been one of the hottest points of discussion over the past year and continues to be so.
Overall, this Budget brings fewer shocks and far fewer business tax rises than many anticipated. Most employers will experience manageable changes, and some sectors will benefit from targeted support. However, following the changes to inheritance tax and capital gains tax announced last year, the adjustments to dividend taxation and salary sacrifice rules mean careful planning is now even more important for owner-managed businesses.
Carpenter Box’s award-winning tax team will be happy to help you adapt and reassess your plans in light of these legislative changes.
Please visit our dedicated Budget Hub which includes more details on the announcements as well as video reactions from our team.
EACH
1TICKET £4
3TICKETS £10
Written by Juliet Godfrey, Partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter.
The Chancellor confirmed the anticipated ‘Mansion Tax’ in her budget of 26 November 2025. This levy (officially called the High-Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) will apply to properties worth more than £2 million and comes into effect from April 2028. The government maintains this will affect fewer than 1% of homes in England, but its impact will be far from evenly geographically distributed.
Under the new rules, owners of
properties valued at £2 million or more (based on 2026 valuations carried out by the Valuation Office rather than based on the last purchase price) will have to pay an annual surcharge in addition to their existing Council Tax bill. The new tax will be structured in four bands:
• £2m - £2.5m: £2,500 per year
• £2.5m to £3.5m: £3,500 per year
• £3.5m to £5m: £5,000 per year
• £5m+: £7,500 per year
Charges will rise in line with CPI inflation each year from 2029-30 onwards, and thresholds will be reviewed every
five years. The tax will be collected alongside Council Tax but directed to central government rather than Local Authorities. The HVCTS is estimated by government to raise around £430 million of revenue per year from 2028/29.
It has been reported that there are currently about 145,000 UK homes valued at more than £2 million but some estimate this number will rise to 190,000 by 2028. Further reports estimate that 62% of all £2 million plus properties are in London with a further 18% in the south-east primarily in the commuter belts of Surrey, Kent and Sussex.
Farmhouses and landed country estates, private waterfront houses and properties in close proximity to sites of historic interest may well fall into this category. However, in parts of East and West Sussex period homes (in places such as Chichester, Lewes, Brighton and Hove and Horsham) and coastal and village properties (in places such as West Wittering, Ditchling and Petworth) often sell for more than £2 million.
This regional concentration of higher value properties in London and the South East highlight a somewhat disproportionate burden on those areas including Sussex and raises the question as to whether the new wealth tax is ‘fair’. Whilst some may argue that the levy is relatively modest and goes some way to redressing the current inequalities of the Council Tax system and should be entirely affordable for those owning high value properties, there will be Sussex homeowners in this bracket who would not describe their family houses as ‘mansions’. Many have inherited their homes, or their properties may be subject to significant mortgage debt; many will be owned by retirees or long-term owners whose wages have not kept up with inflation in their affluent geographical area. There will be young parents who have stretched to move into a school catchment hotspot. For some the charge will increase financial strain in what is already an uncertain climate.
A consultation in 2026 will explore deferral options for homeowners who are ‘asset-rich but cash-poor’. The ability to delay paying the charge until a sale of the property will provide some comfort to those owners. The government will also consult on a full set of reliefs and exemptions alongside proposed rules for more complex ownership structures (such as companies and trusts).
More affluent owners of second homes already paying double Council Tax are also likely to feel particularly unfairly treated.
Perhaps the fairness’ of the Mansion Tax will depend on how it is implemented, how valuations are carried out and agreed and whether there are suitable deferment options, reliefs and exemptions, regional considerations and regular revaluations. Time will tell.
In the Conveyancing market, some buyers may now think twice about buying properties valued at just over £2 million and we will likely see a surfeit of properties being sold at just below the threshold in an attempt to crystallise the value for the next few years, but with the Valuation Office Agency carrying out their own targeted valuation exercise, success will not be assured. There may be a trend towards downsizing. Property prices on sale may for a while be deflated to account for the cost of the surcharge. In anticipation of the announcement there may have been a cooling of the top end market but it remains to be seen how the market reacts to the reality announced. There will not be immediate concern as the tax won’t take effect until 2028 but homeowners will have to factor this in to their decision making going forward.
In any event buyers and sellers of high value properties should consider five key points:
1. Check your 2026 valuation – Know if your property will exceed £2m and the likely annual surcharge.
2. Assess market impact – Consider how the tax might influence property values, liquidity, and relocation or downsizing decisions.
3. Review deferral and relief options – Track consultation outcomes for potential exemptions, especially if you’re asset-rich but cash-poor.
4. Plan for future revaluations –Anticipate the effects of five-yearly valuations if your property sits near a threshold.
5. Collect supporting evidence early – Compile sale comparables and surveys to strengthen your case in any valuation discussions.
In a shifting landscape, informed planning will be the best protection for Sussex homeowners.
Juliet Godfrey, Partner jgodfrey@mayowynnebaxter.co.uk www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk
Cover Story
Fifty years ago, long before the rise of digital publishing, social media, and the always-on news cycle, one man had a simple but powerful idea: to create a publication that championed the businesses and entrepreneurs of Sussex. That man was
Alan Harvard, and in 1975 he founded what would become one of the region’s most enduring business institutions — Sussex Business Times (SBT).
Half a century later, as SBT celebrates its 50th anniversary, the magazine doesn’t just look back on an extraordinary history it stands
proudly as a living, breathing part of the Sussex business ecosystem. Still publishing. Still innovating. Still telling the stories that matter.
This is the story of those fifty years. The founders, the custodians, the evolution and the vision for the next fifty.
When Alan Harvard launched SBT in 1975, Sussex’s business landscape looked very different. The region’s economy was built around manufacturing, tourism, local retail, and fast-growing professional services. But there was no single publication dedicated to capturing the pulse of business life across the county.
SBT changed all of that.
Alan quickly built a reputation for creating a magazine that was of the community, not just for it. It became a hub for local news, interviews, insights, events, and conversations that mattered to business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs.
One of the most iconic elements of SBT during these early decades was their Networking Lunches, the magazine’s flagship event for many years. It was a place where business leaders met, deals were done, stories were shared, and relationships were built. The event helped cement SBT’s role as the beating heart of Sussex’s business network long before LinkedIn existed.
In 1997, SBT entered a significant new chapter when Lee Mansfield acquired the magazine from Alan. Under Lee’s leadership, the publication modernised, expanded, and transformed into a widely recognised regional brand.
One of the defining features of Lee’s stewardship was evolution. He took SBT from a black-and-white publication with a colour cover and centre section to a far more contemporary and visually dynamic magazine, a huge step forward for the era.
Distribution also skyrocketed. What began
as a 5,000-copy print run grew to 25,000 at its peak, making it one of the largest regional business publications of its kind.
Competition came and went. Market conditions shifted. Technology changed everything. But SBT remained. And Lee remained its guardian for two remarkable decades.
Reflecting on the journey, Lee says: “It’s been amazing to have run and been involved with this publication for nearly 30 years, and to still see it serving the local business community is a proud achievement. Sam has excelled
in giving this community a relevant magazine and platform in a very difficult publishing arena. SBT has seen many competitors come and go, and that is down to its local-focused content and Sam’s determination to keep the Sussex business community engaged in not just SBT but a multitude of platforms that complement it! I am proud to still be involved even from the back benches! There is more to come!!!”
In 2017, after 20 years of ownership, Lee made the decision to step back, but not step away, and the next generation of leadership began.
In December 2017, Sam Thomas acquired SBT and ushered in one of the most transformative periods in the magazine’s long history. With a vision rooted in storytelling, community, and modern media, Sam saw SBT not just as a magazine but as a platform for authentic connection.
His mission was clear: to evolve SBT into something that honoured its heritage but was built for the future. Where other publications struggled to adapt to digital change, SBT expanded.
Where many local magazines pulled back, SBT doubled down.
Where traditional media leaned into transactional advertising relationships, SBT focused on community, collaboration, and genuine narratives.
Reflecting on the honour of leading this legacy into the modern era, Sam says: “It has been a privilege and an honour to keep this amazing publication and Lee’s legacy going since 2017. I truly believe in the power of storytelling and I look forward to continuing to serve the business community with its incredible stories and insights.
I am also delighted to pass over the
Managing Director role to my amazing colleague Jackie Irving, who will continue driving the growth of our business club and magazine.
None of this would be possible without our incredible community, sponsors, and contributors who make publishing this magazine possible every single month. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This publication exists because of you, and for you.”
This belief that stories connect us, define us, and move us forward, has become central to SBT’s evolution today.
One of the most significant milestones in the modern era of SBT was the creation of County Business Clubs (CBC) launched by Sam shortly after acquiring the magazine.
CBC was built on the idea that stories deserve a home beyond the printed page.
• A home where entrepreneurs could
connect, learn, collaborate, and share insights.
• A home that rejected the traditional, transactional style of networking.
• A home that put storytelling at its heart.
CBC grew quickly into a powerful regional community a “professional ecosystem” designed to help members
find meaningful connections and unlock genuine growth.
But CBC was never separate from SBT. It was inspired by it. Powered by its heritage. Strengthened by the trust that SBT had built over decades.
And now, in SBT’s 50th year, the next evolution arrives.
To mark this milestone anniversary, CBC is being rebranded as SBC -Sussex Business Club, the official members club of SBT.
The ethos and manifesto remain the same, a powerful articulation of what community truly means:
• All business is symbiotic in nature.
• You can be inspiring your peers one day, and learning from them the next.
• People buy people.
• Stories connect us more deeply than sales pitches ever will.
SBC exists to:
• champion authentic storytelling
• create trusted spaces for connection
• curate insights from real business experiences
• grow communities across Sussex
• nurture entrepreneurial spirit
• bring people together through events, media, and meaningful conversations
It is the natural evolution of what SBT has always done, just on a broader, more dynamic, and more collaborative scale.
At its core, SBC is a celebration of Sussex itself: its leaders, its innovators, its businesses, and its stories.
Across its 50-year history, SBT has proven one thing: it survives because it evolves.
It evolves because it listens. It listens because it belongs to the people who read it, contribute to it, partner with it, and believe in it.
From Alan’s early vision…
To Lee’s decades of dedication…
To Sam’s modern transformation and digital expansion…
To the launch of Sussex Business Club…
To the upcoming leadership of Jackie Irving…
SBT stands as a testament to the power of local business communities when they come together around shared purpose and shared stories.
This magazine has featured thousands of businesses over half a century.
It has covered recessions, recoveries, pandemics, celebrations, and transformations.
It has profiled the region’s most inspiring leaders and spotlighted its rising stars.
It has fostered friendships, collaborations, partnerships, and movements.
It is, in many ways, a living archive of Sussex business history.
As SBT steps into its 50th anniversary year, another extraordinary milestone is on the horizon: its 500th issue, set to land in 2026.
Two huge achievements. One incredible celebration.
To mark this moment in history, SBT will be hosting a special 50-year anniversary
and Issue 500 celebration party in April 2026, bringing together contributors, partners, advertisers, members, leaders, and friends from across the decades.
It will be a moment to honour the past, celebrate the present, and look confidently toward the future.
A future built on everything SBT stands for.
The foundations that have carried it for 50 years — and will carry it for the next 50.
Few publications survive five decades. Even fewer remain relevant. Fewer still continue to innovate and expand.
Sussex Business Times is part of that rare group.
From a black-and-white print magazine to a multi-platform community ecosystem…
From First Friday Lunches to the Sussex Business Club…
From 5,000 copies to 25,000…
From Alan Harvard’s vision to a vibrant regional movement…
SBT is not just a magazine. It is a legacy. A voice. A community.
A catalyst for connection and growth across Sussex.
As SBT celebrates 50 years, its mission remains unchanged:
To tell the stories that shape our business landscape.
To bring people together. To shine a light on success, resilience, innovation, and purpose. And to champion the region that built it and continues to believe in it.
Here’s to the next fifty years of Sussex Business Times. Here’s to Issue 500. And here’s to the power of storytelling, community, and connection.
The story continues and the best chapters are yet to come.
The November edition of the Big Business Breakfast Club took place on Friday 21st November at the Brighton Pavilion Ice Rink, bringing together more than 100 local business leaders for a morning of high-energy networking, insight and collaboration.
This month’s event was proudly sponsored by Benchmark Financial Planning, represented by long-standing BBBC regular Robin Warner. Benchmark are Chartered Financial Planners serving clients across Sussex and the wider UK. As sponsor, Robin selected Chestnut Tree House Hospice as the month’s charity partner. Thanks to attendee generosity, BBBC raised £130, pushing the club’s total charitable donations for the year to just shy of £8,500.
November also saw an impressive 15 first-time attendees join us – our much-loved ‘Fresh Meet’. Many were brand-new to the world of business networking, and we hope to see them again soon. Two regulars reached the coveted status of BBBC Ambassador: Luke Sratta (Video for Business) and Graham Meheux (Big Brother Big Sister). This brings the ambassador community to more than 150 active voices across the region.
Our special guest for November was Joel Lawton, founder of In Your Corner coaching. Stepping in as host for the morning, Lyndsey Clay interviewed Joel about his journey from running a highperforming business to facing burnout, and how re-evaluating his priorities reshaped both his life and work. Joel now helps founders rediscover clarity, purpose and balance, and is a leading voice in men’s mental health and community support. For those who enjoyed the
Photographer: Ishika Desai
session, Sam Thomas’ full podcast with Joel is available to watch online.
With resident marketing expert Alex Ryan away, we welcomed the return of James Armstrong from Social Firefly for this month’s Big Steps for Small Business. James delivered a sharp and practical breakdown of the major social media platforms, highlighting how businesses can choose the right channels for their goals and audiences.
This month’s winners were:
Jennifer Rose, Fivefold – personalised branded T-shirt from Print Lord
Majda Ledden, Majda’s Touch –Laughing Seagulls mugs from Sarson & Darby
James Grantham, Galloways Accounting – £50 Terra Restaurant voucher
Rachel Innes, Monan Gozzett LLP – 2 tickets to the Connected Brighton Christmas Party
Finally, photography for the event was captured by Michael Cheetham, joined by guest photographer Ishika Desai, whose documentary-style work added a fresh perspective to November’s gallery.
BBBC returns on Friday 19th December for our annual Christmasstravaganza at Sussex County Cricket Club.
The event was delivered by the Focus Foundation, an organisation dedicated to helping UK charities create meaningful and lasting change in people’s lives.
After reviewing more than 100 applications, the Foundation selected 10 finalist charities to take to the stage and compete for a share of £100,000—while also winning the hearts of a 200-strong audience at the iconic Brighton i360.
Five Angels each contributed £10,000 to the funding pot, with the Focus Foundation doubling the total to £100,000. The Angels were:
Chris Goodman – Co-founder of Focus Group and Focus Foundation
Rob Starr MBE – Founder of Secio Mortgages and The Starr Trust
Sarah Willingham – Owner of the i360, Founder of Nightcap, and former investor on Dragon’s Den Nazila Blencowe – Founder of Baron Homes
Martin Gallagher – CEO and Chairman of the Clare Foundation
The concept for Angels’ Den was the brainchild of Mike Clare, former CEO and Chairman of Dreams PLC, and Founder of the Clare Foundation.
The charity awards were as follows:
£5,000 – WOLO Foundation
£5,000 – Springboard Project
£5,000 – MindOut
£5,000 – Sussex Nightstop
£7,500 – Pelican Parcels
£8,750 – The Launchpad Collective
£8,750 – The Real Junk Food Project
£12,500 – Grassroots Suicide Prevention
£17,500 – Children’s Respite Trust
£25,000 – Brighton Table Tennis Club
Pelican Parcels
£7,500 Award
Pelican Parcels will use its funding to support vulnerable families in Brighton & Hove. The charity provides essential items such as beds, cots and Moses baskets, helping restore dignity and stability.
The Launchpad Collective
£8,750 Award
The award will support refugees into employment through CV training, interview coaching, and tailored placements, helping individuals rebuild their lives with confidence.
The Real Junk Food Project
£8,750 Award
Funding will support the “Feed Bellies, Not Bins” initiative, rescuing surplus food and turning it into nutritious meals. Their Kemptown café fosters community, connection and sustainability.
Springboard Project
£5,000 Award
Funding will help create a SEND hub for young adults, providing social connection, skill-building and accessible community space.
Marcus Tomlinson:
“The level of engagement from the Sussex finalists was significantly higher than in previous events. The overall standard was outstanding.”
Grassroots Suicide Prevention
£12,500 Award
The award will fund a youth-focused version of the Real Talk interactive film, designed with young people across Sussex.
Sussex Nightstop
£5,000 Award
Funding will expand outreach work to support young people at risk of homelessness, offering safety, dignity and practical support.
WOLO Foundation
£5,000 Award
Funding will support a nature-based emotional development programme for young people affected by cancer.
Children’s Respite Trust
£17,500 + £13,440 Audience Award
Funding will create The Sanctuary, a calming garden room to support children with additional needs and their families.
Tara Colsell-Hawes:
“It’s inspiring to see the Angels and the Focus Foundation empowering grassroots charities that are so often underfunded but so incredibly valuable.”
MindOut
£5,000 Award
Funding will deliver mental health services for LGBTQ+ individuals, including counselling, crisis intervention and peer support.
Brighton Table Tennis Club
£25,000 Award
Funding will support the Junior Coaching Programme, nurturing the next generation of coaches from within the club community.
Chris Goodman:
“Angels’ Den was a spectacular showcase of the incredible work being done across Sussex.”
What began as a simple idea between two long-standing Hove residents has quickly grown into one of the town’s most uplifting community projects of the season!
Networking & Events
The Hove Christmas Trail, co-created by J.J. BaidenAmissah (Digital Freelancer) and Mia Douglas (Social Galaxy UK), blends digital innovation with local storytelling to support the independent businesses that give Hove its charm.
At the heart of the trail is an interactive digital map , showing participating shops, cafés, restaurants, salons, creative studios and community venues. Locals simply
scan a QR code, explore the map, and check in at each location they visit. Every check-in earns an entry into the Prize Draw, with a chance to win a Christmas hamper including gifts generously donated by local traders. The digital map has been a hit:
• 625+ residents have already joined the trail community
• The map has been opened more than 2,500 times
• 25 local businesses have signed up — with more joining each week
And, as J.J. notes, the project goes beyond technology:
“This is about more than just shopping or promotions. It’s about celebrating Hove, supporting our independents, and creating something magical for the community.”
Mia adds:
“Hove has so many hidden gems. This trail encourages people to slow down, explore and reconnect with what makes our town special.”
Alongside the digital experience, the trail also includes a printed map, distributed via local magazines and as festive postcards in participating shops.
These postcards — originally imagined as a fun add-on for children to write their “Letters to Santa” — have taken on a life of their own.
Parents, schools and shops have embraced them with enthusiasm.
One local mum, Hannah, shared:
“I picked up a free postcard for my little one at a coffee shop in Hove! I love that the trail encourages me to explore new local businesses. Can’t wait to visit more on my December shopping trips.”
Another resident, Philippa, discovered the trail unexpectedly:
“I discovered the Hove Christmas Trail while visiting the new volleyball courts on Hove seafront. A QR code led me to a map showcasing local businesses — some I’d never heard of!”
For independent businesses, December can be both a joyous and challenging month. The trail offers a visibility boost and community validation. Each participating business receives:
• A map listing
• A check-in card
• A branded QR window poster
• An NFC Google Review stand to encourage feedback
• Personalised social media content
The impact has been immediate:
One participating store said: “The Hove Christmas Trail has been brilliant for us! We’ve had so many new faces pop in after spotting us on the map, and customers love the festive check-in idea. It’s created such a lovely buzz around the shop — we’re really glad to be part of it.”
Residents are discovering businesses they’d never noticed before. Shops are experiencing new footfall. Families are enjoying the postcard drop-offs.
As the founders reflect, this initiative has become much more than they expected: “It feels like something Hove is building together,” says J.J. “The community has shaped this just as much as we have.”
The Hove Christmas Trail is a reminder that grassroots ideas can spark real community magic — especially when powered by local passion, collaboration, and a shared love for the place we call home.
To explore the map or join the trail: hovechristmastrail.co.uk
Best of British Events is proud to announce that its 2025 programme has raised an incredible £112,000 for local and national charities, all achieved within just eight months, from March to November.
Networking & Events
This year’s fundraising has supported a range of remarkable organisations, including Together Co, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Albion & The Community, Overcoming MS, The Southern Hospice Group, The Lucy Rayner Foundation and many more. Each charity provides essential services to communities across the region, and the funds raised will help drive vital projects, outreach, and support for those who need it most.
Reflecting on this milestone year, Ryan
Heal, Managing Director of Best of British Events, said:
“Raising £112,000 in only eight months is an extraordinary achievement and speaks volumes about the generosity, spirit, and unity of our business community. Every event this year has shown the power of bringing people together — not only to connect and celebrate, but to make a meaningful difference. We are incredibly proud to support these wonderful charities and deeply grateful to our sponsors, attendees, and partners for their ongoing commitment.”
The success of this year’s events
reinforces the growing impact of Best of British Events, which continues to champion community collaboration and charitable giving through high-quality business and social occasions.
Planning is already underway for next year’s programme, with several flagship events returning and new opportunities for businesses and individuals to get involved.
To be part of Best of British Events in 2026 as a sponsor, or guest, please don’t hesitate to contact our team today.
https://bestofbritish.org.uk
During the last year Rockinghorse has made it possible for thousands of children and families to get the extra support they need. Charity
As your local children’s charity, Rockinghorse has supported thousands of children with 65 different projects during the last year.
From premature babies who need specialist equipment to breathe, to children managing cancer treatment. From teenagers struggling to control their mental health, to young people dealing with a long-term health diagnosis, our support has been there to help them all and so many more.
We work directly with healthcare professionals in specialist baby and children’s units across Sussex to make sure we deliver the right support, in the right way, to make a difference to the lives of so many.
Supporting wellbeing
During 2025 our amazing Wellbeing Service, funded by The Cullum Family Trust, has gone from strength to strength.
Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people going through painful medical procedures, spending a long time in hospital, or learning how to manage a new health diagnosis, the service has done a great deal in its first year.
Spending a long time in hospital can be really boring for children, especially if they are missing school or all the normal activities they enjoy. So, the Wellbeing Service created some great activity packs for children to enjoy.
Each pack contains something to make, like a stained-glass butterfly, or
a rainbow wind chime, along with some techniques about how to manage their feelings and emotions whilst going through a challenging time.
Another great activity has been regular live music performances in the atrium area of the hospital outpatients’ department. These wonderful sessions have proved to be a real tonic for patients and staff alike, bringing some musical joy to the hospital.
And NHS staff have also been supported with some delicious free wellbeing lunches to help support their wellbeing and show our appreciation for all their hard work.
world’s first
This year Rockinghorse, in conjunction with Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital
and Brighton and Sussex Medical School, has continued to support the development of the world’s first clinic to treat childhood asthma using innovative precision medicine.
Being able to determine the genetic make-up of a child can reveal what medications won’t work for them, and crucially, the ones that will, meaning that each child has a better chance of receiving the most effective treatments for their condition.
From presenting research at conferences in London, Glasgow and India, to organising local events that help children and families learn about asthma and its impact, the team behind the clinic have been continuing to share information about their ground-breaking work so that more children and families can benefit from this transformative research.
This is a great example of how working directly with doctors and medical staff within the NHS can help provide ground-breaking research and treatment that will improve clinical practice and improve access to treatment for generations to come.
The Children’s Emergency Department at The Alex sees 30,000 young patients every year and is a busy, bustling department within the children’s hospital.
As the department has been running for nearly 20 years, some of the rooms within the department were in need of updating, especially in terms of how interactive sensory elements could be incorporated.
But after careful consultation with doctors and nurses in the department, we have been able to create two incredible sensory treatment spaces that use tech and innovation to transform care for children.
The rooms use innovative technology to provide immersive distractions for patients that help create a calm, relaxed atmosphere, especially important for children managing painful procedures or struggling with additional sensory needs.
And outside the hospital, the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital’s sensory garden has been transformed with a range of new sensory planting, trees, raised beds and new storage to accommodate outdoor toys and activities that hospital staff can access.
The space can now provide naturebased wellbeing activities for families spending time in hospital, as well as being a space where patients, families and staff can relax, enjoy fresh air and have fun.
But absolutely none of this work, or any of the amazing projects delivered this year, would have happened without help from the local community.
Rockinghorse CEO Donna Holland said, “We want to say a huge thank you to all to all the local community groups, businesses, challenge participants and individuals who have taken so much of their time and effort to help support us this year.
“Without their support we simply wouldn’t have been able to develop or deliver any of these projects. So thank you for enabling us to continue our work, we couldn’t do it without you.”
Charit-able, the award-winning consultancy founded by charity strategist Karen Jefford, an experienced CEO and former national charity leader, has announced a new collaboration with Alessandro Calzolari, Marketing Psychologist and author of Empathic Marketing. This partnership marks an exciting step forward in Charit-able’s mission to transform how charities and companies communicate, collaborate, and create long-term social impact.
Alessandro, renowned for his work helping organisations understand how people think, decide, and connect will join Karen in delivering new insightdriven support, including contributing to Charit-able’s upcoming The Human Advantage podcast series exploring people, purpose, and the power of partnership.
Together, they bring a unique blend of expertise: Karen’s lived experience leading and transforming charities under real pressure, and Alessandro’s behavioural understanding of how empathy drives decision-making, trust, and meaningful engagement.
A Partnership Rooted in Understanding
Having each spent years tackling the same problem from different directions, both Alessandro and Karen share a belief that:
Partnerships thrive when people feel understood.
Charities are often mission-rich but resource-poor.
Businesses often want to create genuine social value but struggle to find the right routes to do so.
Both sides care deeply yet often speak different languages.
This collaboration aims to bridge that gap by combining deep behavioural insight with grounded, real-world charity leadership through a series of podcasts, workshops and webinars.
Charit-able Founder, Karen Jefford, said:
“This partnership is about bringing humanity back into how charities and companies work together. Alessandro brings a level of insight and empathy that is rare in the marketing world. By combining his expertise with my lived
experience of leading charities through real-world pressures, we can help organisations build partnerships.
Alessandro Calzolari, Marketing Psychologist & Author of Empathic Marketing said:
“Most partnerships fail not because of a lack of good intention, but because people feel unheard, misunderstood, or overwhelmed. Working with Karen allows us to bring together strategic insight and real human understanding, helping charities and businesses connect in a way that feels meaningful, natural, and mutually beneficial. When empathy leads the conversation, collaboration becomes infinitely more powerful.”
Visit us at www.charit-able.co.uk
The Clock Tower Sanctuary provide practical and emotional support for young people to move from crisis to stability.
We want a city where ALL young people have somewhere they call home. We are the only drop-in day centre in Brighton & Hove for 16-to-25 year olds who are experiencing homelessness.
The Clock Tower Sanctuary provide young people who are homeless in Brighton & Hove with a safe and supportive space to shape their own future.
For young people experiencing homelessness, Christmas can be very tough. While some will have access to emergency or supported accommodation, many will be facing the uncertainty of sofa surfing or even rough sleeping. For these young people in vulnerable situations, the drop-in centre is a safe place, somewhere to escape loneliness and isolation, where there are hot meals, showers and laundry facilities. There’s 121 advice on benefits, accommodation, budgeting and more.
Rose became homeless after moving to Brighton from the West Midlands. We can’t share all the details of her situation, but her mother was suffering with extremely poor mental health and living as a family had become untenable.
Rose had high hopes for her move to Brighton. A talented artist, she thought the city would be the perfect place to grow, learn and become independent. But the reality of our city’s housing crisis meant she soon found herself moving from place to place – sometimes sofa-surfing, sometimes in emergency accommodation. She was even on the streets from time to time.
“I was labelled ‘intentionally homeless’ by
the council, as if I’d chosen the events that led me here. Even family members told me I’d put myself in that position. But no one would ever choose that.”
At her lowest point, Rose needed company, support, hot food and a hot shower. In short, she needed hope. Instead she was made to feel shame for her situation. She was left feeling completely alone.
Rose’s experience of homelessness in Brighton was deeply traumatising. For eight long months, Rose endured this new reality. But when she first came to Clock Tower Sanctuary, she immediately embraced the support and companionship that was available to her.
“If you’ve become homeless through family breakdown or abusive relationships, you literally have no one. But this is a place you can go to and get support. You’re listened to and respected. It just feels like a safe space.”
Rose has thrived since we were able to
support her out of crisis and towards stability. She engaged with our one-toone support and made full use of the practical advice we could give her.
With your help, we can keep the doors to our drop-in centre open this December and beyond, and give another young person experiencing homelessness, like Rose, the emergency support they often desperately need. Just £27 could provide a sleeping bag for a young person sleeping rough. If you can help you can donate here:
https://www.thects.org.uk/winter/
Award-winning charity Holding Space is redefining parent mental health support through lived experience and peer-led care.
Holding Space didn’t begin as a grand project, it began simply as me, a parent trying to hold my family together while navigating mental-health challenges no one seemed to understand. I was juggling appointments, school issues, sleepless nights, worry and guilt and all the while, feeling utterly alone. What I needed was not another professional telling me to go on a parenting course, but a gentle, human voice: “You’re not alone. I see you.”
That longing for connection became the seed for Holding Space.
What started as heartfelt conversations on Facebook, has grown into a charity rooted in lived experience. One that is committed to putting parents/carers at the heart of family mental health. Because when a parent is supported, the whole family has a chance to heal and thrive.
Holding Space provides parent/carer peer support to families, across Sussex, whose children and young people are struggling with life; emotional and
mental health challenges. We provide a safe, non-judgemental space where parents/carers can talk openly about what they’re going through. Whether it’s attending support groups, receiving 1:1 peer support, or empowering them with the tools and knowledge they need to look after their child, everything we do carries the message I once desperately needed: You matter too.
“Before I found Holding Space, I felt like I was drowning. Now, I finally have someone who understands; not just my child, but me too.”
The urgent need behind the work
Our mission is shaped by lived experiences and supported by national data:
Children whose parents experience long-term depression are significantly more likely to develop mental-health challenges themselves.
A 2023 UK parent survey found that nearly 1:4 parents reported that their children missed school due to mental health struggles.
These numbers reflect the urgent reality we see daily: when parents struggle, the consequences ripple through the entire family. Peer support, built on shared experience, isn’t a “nice-to-have,” it’s essential.
“I didn’t realise how much weight I was carrying until I could talk to someone who had been there.
Parent peer support: changing the system from within
Over the years, I’ve worked with NHS Trusts and colleagues in mental health to bring parent/carer peer support from the margins to the centre. I was proud to
contribute to the UK’s first competency training framework for parent/carer peer supporters, ensuring peer support is recognised, professional, and effective.
This is critical because too often, parents are seen only in relation to their children. We believe it must be the other way around: children’s wellbeing starts with supported, healthy parents.
When people ask, “What difference does Holding Space make?”, I don’t point to numbers I point to moments:
The parent who walks into a group for the first time and finally exhales.
The quiet tears when someone realises they don’t have to carry everything alone.
The parent who feels truly seen, heard and connected.
“It’s not just advice or guidance. It’s knowing someone really sees you. That makes all the difference.”
Looking ahead: building a more compassionate future
We’re not just supporting families, we’re advocating for systemic change. We’re working with organisations and
workplaces to recognise parent mental health as a societal issue, not just a personal one. Because when parents are supported, children, communities and workplaces all benefit.
My lived experience remains at the heart of everything we do. It keeps our work human and reminds us that no parent should have to navigate their child’s mental health alone.
Holding Space isn’t just a charity. It’s a community built on compassion, understanding, and authenticity. A promise that every parent/carer, every family, deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. With empathy, honesty and hope.
You too can make a difference by getting involved; become a Trustee, volunteer, invite us to talk in your workplace or host a fundraising event.
Contact: hansa@holdingspace.org.uk htttps://www.holdingspace.org.uk
Since 1983, Arun Counselling Centre’s (ACC’s) mission has remained the same: to deliver accessible, high-quality mental health support across the region.
As a charity, everything we do is focused on providing part-funded or lowcost services for those who might otherwise be unable to access counselling. We can offer this thanks to the generosity of our funders and donors, as well as income from fullpaying clients, our workplace wellbeing programmes, and the CPD we deliver to counselling professionals.
Arun is often described as a mixed district, but local data
shows that many residents face significant challenges, including economic hardship, poorer health, lower qualifications, and unstable employment. Around 18,000 people live in neighbourhoods ranked among the most deprived 20% nationally, and nearly one in five children are growing up in poverty. These pressures contribute to higher rates of mental health concerns, including self-harm admissions, and result in noticeable differences in life expectancy across the district. In this context, counselling is not just valuable, it is essential. It
offers early support for people carrying the greatest social and emotional burden and helps reduce the long-term impact of deprivation on individuals, families, and the wider community.
Counselling also plays a vital role in reducing inequality. By ensuring that people who cannot afford private therapy or face lengthy NHS wait times can still receive timely support, it helps prevent problems from escalating and offers stability to those managing multiple disadvantages. It reduces the emotional strain linked to poverty,
insecure housing, and unemployment, while strengthening confidence, resilience, and family wellbeing. With good mental health forming the foundation for education, employment, and social participation, accessible counselling gives people a fairer chance to thrive.
For people in work, many employers provide counselling through an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which offers confidential support without individuals needing to cover the cost themselves. EAPs are typically available to all contracted staff, including part-time workers, giving more people the chance to access timely emotional support. Working with a local EAP provider also brings the benefit of counsellors who understand the area, the pressures people face, and the realities of living and working in Sussex. By removing financial barriers, widening access, and offering support rooted in local knowledge, EAP provision helps working people manage stress, anxiety, and personal difficulties before they escalate.
People seek counselling for a wide range of reasons, often related to how they are feeling rather than a formal diagnosis. Common concerns include
anxiety, low mood or depression, challenges linked to neurodiversity, stress at work or home, and relationship difficulties. Counselling provides a safe, supportive space to explore feelings, develop coping strategies, and better understand personal patterns and triggers. It can also help people respond to modern pressures such as constant news updates, social media, or dayto-day stressors in healthier ways. Importantly, you don’t need a GP referral to access counselling; if you know how you are feeling and want support, you can take the first step yourself. By addressing challenges early, counselling promotes emotional resilience and overall wellbeing.
At Arun Counselling Centre (ACC), we provide a safe, confidential, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you can pause, reflect, and make time for yourself - no matter what you’re experiencing. Counselling at ACC is about listening, understanding, and supporting you. It can help you navigate life’s pressures so you can find balance, clarity, and a sense of control.
Suzanne’s story:
When Suzanne first came to Arun Counselling Centre (ACC), she described herself as “emotionally wrecked.”
Life felt unmanageable, and her selfesteem was at rock bottom. “I often had suicidal thoughts,” she recalls. “I didn’t know who I was and couldn’t navigate the world around me.”
With regular, weekly counselling sessions, over time, the impact became clear not just to Suzanne but to her family and friends.
“They noticed a big difference in me, especially that I was more assertive and started putting myself first sometimes,” she shares. “I’ve learned techniques to stay calm and navigate life more easily. It’s even helped my family, because I’ve been able to teach them how to cope too.
“I would highly recommend ACC. Give it a go, you won’t regret it. They’re kind, flexible, and affordable. It’s an amazing service.”
Arun Counselling Centre is a BACP Accredited Counselling Service and registered charity.
If you, or someone you would know, would benefit from counselling, or you are an employer or employee who wants an EAP, visit our website at aruncounselling.com or call us on 01903 714417 to find out more.
We do this by enabling local people to support local causes and by making grants to small charities and voluntary groups working in communities across the county. Every year, we see the extraordinary impact of local giving – and as we reflect on 2025, we are proud to share our achievements and invite the Sussex business community to join us in creating lasting local impact.
embedded in local communities, we can respond to local issues and strengthen the places where we live and work.
Who we are and why place-based giving matters
As a registered charity, we focus on grassroots organisations often overlooked by larger funders, yet vital to the wellbeing of local people. Using national and local data, we target our support to four funding priorities where we believe we can make the greatest difference:
• Tackling poverty - Reducing poverty and disadvantage in our communities
• Reaching potential - Providing lifechanging skills, education and training
• Acting on climate - Taking local action for the climate
Since 2006, our generous community of donors, made up of individuals, families, companies and charitable trusts, have supported our work. What unites us is a shared belief: by investing in small charities
We work across the whole of Sussex, understanding that each community has unique strengths and challenges. This insight helps us ensure our funding reaches the people and places that need it most. Through our philanthropy advice, we help supporters – including businesses – connect their aims with small, effective charities delivering real solutions to local issues.
Befriended received a grant from the William Reed Fund to provide support to At Sussex Community Foundation, we exist to make Sussex a fairer and more equal place.
• Improving health - Helping people live longer, better lives
isolated older residents in Mid Sussex: “Loneliness can be something we are catapulted into because of circumstances out of our control. Because of your grant, many lives have been radically changed.”
2025 highlights
This year has been a milestone for the Foundation. In response to rising demand and pressure on charities, we redesigned our grant-making process to make it simpler for organisations to apply and easier for donors to align their giving with local needs.
The changes enable our donors to target their support more effectively: from youth organisations building confidence and skills, to foodbanks and small charities providing connection and hope.
In 2024/25, thanks to our donors, we distributed £2.8 million in grants to 420 community groups, supporting more than 400,000 local people. Many of these grants went to small charities with annual incomes under £100,000 – the backbone of community life in Sussex. Since 2006, we have awarded nearly £35 million to more than 3,000 organisations, transforming lives across the county.
Why Sussex businesses should get involved
Local businesses are essential partners in building a stronger, healthier, more resilient Sussex. When charities thrive, communities thrive – creating stronger
local economies and a workforce that feels connected to the places where they live and work.
Working with Sussex Community Foundation offers businesses a way to:
• Make a visible, meaningful difference to local people
• Demonstrate commitment to ESG or CSR goals
• Support small charities delivering frontline impact
• Invest in long-term community resilience
• Align giving with company values and priorities
• Access expert philanthropy advice for strategic giving
Whether your business wants to create a Donor Advised Fund or support one of our funding priorities, we can help with your charitable giving in a way that works for your organisation while delivering lasting benefit for Sussex.
By partnering with the Foundation, your business can define its charitable goals, tap into our local knowledge, support causes that matter, whilst leaving the administration, legal and reporting responsibilities to us. This enables you to create meaningful impact without extra workload.
“Through the Community Benefit Fund, Rampion Offshore Wind ensures that
the wind farm benefits the communities it impacts. Projects range from community improvements and energy conservation to tackling disadvantage and enhancing well-being.
It is very heartening to hear about the impact of this funding, and we are grateful for the excellent service provided by Sussex Community Foundation in administering the fund.” Kelvin Macleod, Stakeholder Manager, Rampion Offshore Wind
Join us in building a fairer, more equal Sussex
Our mission is clear: we want Sussex to be a place where people can thrive, where opportunities are shared, and where local action strengthens communities.
We cannot do it alone. We invite business leaders, employers, innovators and entrepreneurs to join us: align your values with our funding priorities, support local causes, champion local giving within your networks, and become part of a community creating lasting change.
Because when local people support local causes, we all benefit. Sussex Community Foundation is here to help your business make the difference you want to see – right on your doorstep.
Get in touch
Sussexcommunityfoundation.org info@sussexcommunityfoundation.org 01273 409 440
Cancer touches almost every family, workplace and community across Sussex. With 1 in 2 people expected to receive treatment for cancer in their lifetime, the demand for compassionate, well-resourced local cancer care has never been greater.
The Sussex Cancer Fund exists to make the cancer journey more bearable for people across the county, working in partnership with NHS teams to enhance hospital environments, provide specialist equipment, expand patient services and support Sussex-led research.
In the past year, the charity has also strengthened its commitment to working with the business community, recognising the powerful role that local employers and organisations play in shaping healthier, more resilient communities. At the centre of this work is the development of long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that deliver real impact
for patients while helping businesses achieve meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives.
Leading this work is Tina Alfieri, Relationship Manager at Sussex Cancer Fund, whose role is focused on building strong relationships with corporate supporters across the region.
“My role is to connect businesses with projects that directly improve the cancer journey for local people,” Tina explains. “It’s about creating partnerships with purpose — where companies can see the tangible impact of their support and feel part of something that truly changes lives.”
Over the last twelve months, Sussex
Cancer Fund has delivered a wide range of projects that have significantly improved the experience of people receiving treatment across the county. Every project is made possible through the generosity of individuals, community groups and corporate supporters, with all funds remaining within Sussex.
One of the charity’s most significant achievements this year has been the creation of a brand-new oncology consultation room at the Sussex Cancer Centre. What was once an unused corridor has now been transformed into a calm, welcoming space where patients and their families can speak privately with
their clinical teams. This single development is expected to allow for around 2,000 additional consultation appointments each year, helping to reduce waiting times and improve access to timely cancer care.
Alongside this, Sussex Cancer Fund has also completed the refurbishment of a dedicated counselling room at Worthing Hospital, providing a quiet, private space for emotional support at what can be a deeply overwhelming time.
Looking ahead, the charity has just launched a new campaign to refresh the waiting areas and staff facilities at Hurstwood Park Cancer Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. The project aims to introduce updated furniture, improved layouts and a more welcoming environment for both patients and staff.
The Sussex Cancer Fund continues to fund vital clinical equipment requested by NHS teams across the county. Recent purchases include chemotherapy chairs, specialist monitoring tools and diagnostic equipment that help clinicians deliver safer, more effective and more comfortable treatment.
Because the charity’s funding is entirely local, supporters can be confident that every pound donated directly strengthens cancer services within Sussex hospitals.
Cancer care is about far more than medical treatment alone. Over the past year, Sussex Cancer Fund has continued to expand its range of services designed to support patients’ physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.
This includes life coaching to help individuals rebuild confidence and regain control after diagnosis, massage therapy to promote relaxation and reduce stress, and acupuncture to support pain management and treatment-related side effects such as nausea. The charity has also expanded Active Outlook, a tailored exercise programme that supports strength, mobility and confidence during and beyond treatment.
Demand for these services continues to grow as more patients experience the wide-ranging benefits they provide, and the charity remains committed to expanding access so that even more people can take part.
In addition to frontline patient support, Sussex Cancer Fund also plays a vital role in supporting research taking place within local hospitals and academic institutions. These projects are chosen for their direct relevance to patients receiving care in Sussex.
Current research includes studies into blood cancer biomarkers, the relationship between the gut microbiome and treatment response, and the impact of stress on certain cancer pathways. By funding locally delivered research, the charity helps ensure that advances in knowledge directly benefit Sussex patients while strengthening the county’s reputation as a centre of excellence for cancer research.
Cancer affects every workplace. Employees, customers, suppliers and leadership teams are all likely to be touched by it, either personally or through the experience of a loved one. For businesses, supporting the Sussex Cancer Fund is not simply an act of charity, it is a meaningful investment
in the wellbeing of the local workforce and community.
Partnership with the charity enables businesses to strengthen their CSR strategies, engage staff in meaningful activity, build purpose-driven workplace cultures and demonstrate genuine commitment to the communities in which they operate. Crucially, it also allows companies to support projects where the impact is visible, measurable and close to home.
Sussex Cancer Fund is now inviting businesses across the county to explore how partnership working can support both their CSR ambitions and the lives of people affected by cancer locally.
Whether through sponsorship, team fundraising, project funding, volunteering or in-kind support, corporate partners can play a direct role in shaping better cancer care for Sussex communities.
To explore partnership opportunities, businesses are encouraged to connect with:
Tina Alfieri, Relationship Manager Sussex Cancer Fund
tina.alfieri@sussexcancerfund.co.uk 01273 664930 | 07894 912092 www.sussexcancerfund.co.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1147195
By investing in Sussex Cancer Fund, local businesses are not only strengthening their social impact, they are helping to ensure that people facing cancer across Sussex receive the best possible care, support and hope for the future.
As the Starr Trust looks back on another year of changing young lives, Chairman Rob Starr MBE reflects on what success truly means for the charity...
“It’s been another strong year for the Starr Trust. Unlike a business, where success is measured in profits, our measure of a ‘good year’ is how many young lives we’ve been able to support. At the Starr Trust, 100% of our income goes directly to those who need it most - and this year, despite national financial challenges and a deliberate reduction in the number of events we hosted, we still raised enough to fund multiple
applications every single month. That’s a lot of lives changed for the better, and a lot of inspiration shared.
I remain deeply grateful to our incredible office team, our dedicated Board of Trustees, and our tireless Funding Team. Their commitment never wavers. I also want to thank our supporters - both individuals and companies - who continue to choose us, even with so many charities competing for their attention.
We are so thankful to everyone who has fundraised for us through their own events this year and truly hope we will see the continued support of our existing sponsors as well as welcoming new supporters to our cause. With this help,
we are able to focus even more on making a real difference to the young people who reach out to us, as well as continuing to fund new applications every month.
Thank you to everyone who gives their time, energy, and support to the Starr Trust. And well done to every single young person who not only reached out for help, but then put everything into becoming the very best version of themselves.” - Rob Starr MBE, Chairman & Founder of the Starr Trust.
To get involved in 2026 and discuss your ideas, please contact: tracey@starrtrust.org
www.starrtrust.org
At Taylor-Made Dreams, we support children aged between 3 - 18, in the counties of Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Essex with life-limiting illnesses to achieve their dreams.
Our aim is to enable children and their families to experience unique quality time and experiences together, which otherwise may not have been possible without support from our services.
Setup in 2014 by CEO and Founder Suzi Mitchell, Taylor-Made Dreams was created in memory of Taylor Mitchell, Suzi’s son, who sadly passed away after a 4-year battle against a terminal condition in September 2011, aged just 15. After completing Taylor’s own list of wishes, Suzi recognised the gap in charitable services to realise the unique wish lists of children with life-limiting illnesses. Over our 11 years as a charity,
we have grown our services to support the whole family, now sitting at 10 core services. Alongside wish fulfilment, we also provide: Holistic therapy, counselling sessions, medical travel fund, funeral fund, medical sheepskin fleeces, photoshoot experiences, memory keepsakes, sibling support service and a technology loan library.
We wanted our services to support the whole family, making sure families are both financially and emotionally cared for throughout their difficult journey, to help make each memory/dream that much more memorable.
Over the past year, we have provided hundreds of services, from holidays to
new game consoles, family photoshoots to celebrity meetings. One special meeting came at the beginning of this year, when we arranged for TMD Warrior Poppy, to visit her favourite football team Liverpool FC, thanks to our Patron, comedian and actor John Bishop.
“The trip to Liverpool FC’s training ground was honestly the best day for everyone involved and it wouldn’t have been possible without Taylor-Made Dreams. It really was a once in a lifetime experience and we all smiled all day especially the kids.
We virtually met the whole team as well as the manager and coaching staff. Everyone was super kind to Poppy, they
made her and her brother Jude feel extra special making a point to guide each player to Poppy and Jude before the rest of them. A day we will never forget.” - Jordan, Poppy’s Dad
These services wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support we receive from both individuals and businesses, like Crown Wealth Consultants. CWC have been an incredible supporter for many years, providing vital funds to help make sure every wish is possible for TMD families.
Supporting Taylor Made Dreams is
deeply personal to me. I met the founder Suzi Mitchell when our sons were in hospital together. My son Reuben (who was 18 months old at the time) had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and whilst he thankfully recovered, it was one of the hardest times of my life.
Despite the age difference, Suzi’s son Taylor was so kind to Reuben in hospital. They shared a hospital room and the memory of them playing together will always remain with me. We were devastated when we heard that Taylor had lost his battle against his illness.
Taylor Made Dreams gives children with life-limiting illnesses the chance to experience joy, create memories and receive emotional support when families need it most.
I support them because I have seen the heart behind the charity. I know how much strength it takes for a family to get through each day when their child is unwell and I’m just happy that my support will hopefully mean that those families, will get the chance to experience light during incredibly dark times.
www.taylormadedreams.org.uk
For 18 years, Electric Storm Youth (ESY) has been an unwavering fixture in the lives of young people across Lancing, Sompting and Adur. Our charitable purpose is vital, to support, inspire and equip young people aged 10–18 to thrive emotionally and socially. The core of our mission is to promote the wellbeing, development, and life opportunities of young people. We achieve this by offering safe spaces, trusted relationships and positive activities that build confidence, resilience and a deep sense of belonging. Our work is rooted in the recognition that modern adolescence can be challenging. We provide a consistent, welcoming presence for young people facing disadvantage, isolation or personal obstacles. This includes those with poor mental health, high anxiety and caring
responsibilities for family members. Our ultimate aim is to reduce social exclusion and ensure every young person feels seen and valued.
The past year has been one of significant achievement and growth for ESY, cementing our trajectory as a leading youth support provider in our local area. A key development has been the appointment of our new CEO. This leadership change signals an important phase for the charity, focused on building community partnerships and positioning ESY to deliver commissioned services. We are actively working to embed our successful programme models into wider local authority and school networks, ensuring support reaches young people who need it most. We shape our youth work to be responsive to emerging needs. This is driven by the voices of the young people
themselves through our Youth Forum, ensuring our services remain relevant and impactful. Digital Compass is a new programme designed with young people to build a healthier relationship with social media and digital life. We see how online pressure, the growing reach of AI and constant scrolling affects confidence and wellbeing and this programme provides tools and space to build confidence and control.
Offer ESY’s approach is holistic, achieved through a mix of community youth work, school partnerships, multi-agency and targeted support programmes.
● Specialist Mental Health Support: We offer confidential one-to-one counselling and wellbeing sessions, addressing issues like anxiety, stress and low self-esteem. This intervention is crucial for emotional stability.
● Young Carers Programme: This valued service provides confidential and dedicated support for young people who shoulder huge responsibilities at home. These sessions focus on confidence-building and give them time away from their caring duties.
● Open-Access Youth Sessions: Our after-school sessions provide safe, informal environments where young people can socialise, access resources and establish trusted relationships with our youth team.
● Mobile Street Outreach: Our team is visible in the community using our mobile provision van and bikes. This detached work provides a necessary, non-judgemental contact point.
● School Holiday Programme: We organise accessible trips and activities that offer new experiences increasing physical activity, creating social interaction and reducing isolation during long breaks.
● The ESY Charity Shop: Our retail space provides sustainable pre-loved goods and acts as a community hub.
Crucially, the income directly funds our essential youth work.
Impact and Transformation - Voices from our Community
The true measure of ESY’s success lies in the transformation we see every day. Our work is guided by our motto: Supporting young people now, laying foundations for the future.
We know our consistent presence makes a difference,
Our parents say: “My daughter loves coming to the Electric Art sessions. Thank you and the team so much for what you are offering to our local children. It makes a difference!”
“We are very proud of her, also everything that she is doing with you guys is really helping with her confidence so thank you so much for that!”
Our young people say: “I love the different groups of people I get to connect with. I love that I have a different group of people to hang out with. We talk about different stuff and everyone is so friendly.”
Looking Ahead As we move forward, our commitment remains absolute, empowering young people to make positive choices, discover their potential and feel seen and valued. Local organisations can support our work in lots of genuinely useful ways. That might be through staff volunteering or sharing specialist skills. Some organisations choose to work with us more closely, collaborating on specific initiatives or naming us as their Charity of the Year. What matters most is that these partnerships create shared value: they strengthen our community while giving employees a meaningful way to get involved in something bigger than their day-today. After 18 years, Electric Storm Youth remains the reliable lifeline young people need.
We are a small, independent Brighton charity, offering accessible Cycle Rides in Brighton and Hove, for elders living in care plus anyone of any age with disability or health needs
We offer two different, quality-oflife transformative services:
1. Elder Care Home Rides. Crewed by our team of trained Volunteer Cycle-Pilots.
2. All-Ages Accessible Rides. For anyone with disability or health needs. We train carers/friends/family to cycle-pilot these.
From our sea-container base on Brighton’s seafront, we put out over 4000 rides per year, operating yearround. We are a unique UK example in terms of seafront, city-centre and
in-community (not tucked on outskirts) accessible cycle rides.
Our specialist trikes are all adaptable and suitable for complex needs: electricassist, seating 2-4 people, with pedal and non-pedal options. They enable, often for first time, riding together. The trikes are distinctive and highly engaging to both users and the wider community; they draw positive attention from passers-by, bringing vital community connection. Interactions, smiles, waves, meeting children and dogs – all add richness to the unique ride experience. Rides literally bring participants ‘back into view’ and back into meaningful interaction with community. Participants and carers tell
us they feel noticed, connected, happier and valued during and after rides.
Need we are addressing
• Lack of community-based, outdoor activity for people living with disability and/or in care.
• Decline in health through lack of stimulation, isolation and depression.
• 82% our participants reported our rides are their ONLY outdoor activity.
The difference it makes Rides are transformative for participants, families and carers.
Outdoor activity and community connection are proven elements for
quality-of-life and health. Pedal People rides enable people with limited or no access this vital outdoor activity, regularly, expanding worlds, improving health and dramatically enhancing quality-of-life. They are a therapeutic, stimulating physical activity that combats effects of sedentary and isolated living.
Riding out along the seafront and in Brighton and Hove’s parks mean that passers-by interact positively, adding community connection to all. This aids systemic inclusion, reinforcing that disabled lives are not peripheral.
Our anonymous survey data highlight the consistent high-quality, life-transforming impact of cycle rides with us:
“Pedal people are a highlight of the week at our home. They absolutely love it. The team are so kind and considerate treating each person with dignity and respect”.
“This is the first outdoor activity that our disabled son has been able to access in the last 12 years.”
“I feel back in the land of the living.”
“Fabulous to feel the wind in your hair!”
“With limited mobility it is so good to be able to get out in the fresh air and expend some energy in attractive surroundings and be made welcome.”
My Dad age 87 with Alzheimer’s, really enjoys the rides and was able to be a part of the local community with dignity and people smiling at him.
For my daughter and I it is such fun to cycle together as equals!
For more information, how to get involved and how to support us, please visit our website www.pedalpeople.org.uk
I love growing up in Brighton. It’s a city which has something for everyone - beaches, music, cafes, restaurants, and so much kindness. But it’s also a city where more than 2,900 families are living in ‘temporary accommodation’, many in the most awful conditions imaginable.
It’s supposed to be temporary but the reality is that many families end up stuck there for months, sometimes even years. When I tell people that, they can’t believe it. Most have no idea it’s happening right here on our doorstep.
When I was much younger, I didn’t understand any of this. I remember seeing people sleeping on benches or
in doorways, and couldn’t understand why they didn’t have a home. It didn’t seem fair. That’s when I started busking around the city to try to raise money for homelessness causes. When I was eight, I stood on a bench, and sang Hallelujah at the top of my voice in the middle of Brighton. I was terrified, and definitely couldn’t sing very well, but people smiled at me and put money into a craft box I found at home. That afternoon, I raised £67 and thought that would be enough to buy everyone a home! My parents gently explained it wasn’t quite that simple.
Since then, I’ve busked, written songs and raised over £10,000 for homelessness charities. Through this work I’ve met families living in temporary accommodation who never know when they’ll have to pack their bags and move somewhere else. Imagine being a child and thinking that at any moment you might have to change schools and make new friends.
Hearing stories like these made me realise that raising money wasn’t
enough. I needed to do something that actually tackled the root of the problem - that councils aren’t building enough permanent housing for families in need.
So, with a small but brilliant team helping me, I started Mission: HOME. We’re a community-powered initiative and our mission is simple: we want to turn small, unused council-owned sites into secure, sustainable council homes for families who need a permanent home.
We think the council would build homes on these small sites if they genuinely felt the public supported it. And we think that people would support it if they knew these sites existed and understood the impact they could make.
That’s where Mission: HOME comes in. We’re raising awareness, explaining the problem by showing the solution, and then helping people take action quickly and easily.
The Woodingdean Campaign
Right now, we’re full steam ahead with our Woodingdean campaign. There’s a site there which the council has
identified for new social housing and it’s applying for planning permission to build four homes for families with children. It’s an underused patch at the end of a row of houses. There’s only a three-week consultation period when anyone can comment, either for or against. We want to show the council that people support this, so getting lots of “yes” comments really matters. So, if you think the development should go ahead, please visit www.missionhome.org.uk and we’ll help you send your support to the council.
Over the next few weeks, you might even see me going door to door in Woodingdean, chatting with residents about why small, unused sites like this should become homes for families who desperately need stability.
We already have some fantastic local businesses on board, but we’re always looking for more support. Some businesses have helped by printing our leaflets, designing parts of our website, or offering their premises for events. Others have given professional advice or
helped us connect with the right people. Right now, we’re especially keen to partner with businesses that want to become official sponsors. You’d not only be supporting a really important cause but would be helping your own company, as people notice when companies support their community.
You can also sign up to receive our newsletter and we’ll keep you up to date on what we’re doing and when there’s a new site you can help get approved.
I truly believe that if we work togetherresidents, businesses, councillors, and communities - we can make sure every child in Brighton & Hove has a place to call home.
And that’s what Mission: HOME is all about. Not huge buildings. Not impossible plans. Just small patches of land turned into big opportunities for families who need them most.
In the heart of Brighton & Hove, Nostos Catering has turned 2025 into a landmark year of growth and achievement. Over the past twelve months, the catering arm of the Nostos brand has flourished, becoming synonymous with quality, versatility, and a heartfelt connection to both local and regional communities.
This year, Nostos has forged strong partnerships with some of Brighton & Hove’s most iconic venues. From the historic elegance of the Royal Pavilion and Preston Manor to the modern, collaborative spaces of the Projects coworking hub, Nostos has brought its culinary expertise to a diverse range of settings. They’ve secured an exclusive collaboration with Platform9, transforming their thirteen conference rooms into event venues and recently teamed up with WRAP. Their footprint now extends throughout Sussex, allowing them to bring their renowned catering services to a broader regional audience.
Partnerships & Growth
They’ve catered for prestigious names such as EDF, Octopus EV, Ashdown
Park Hotel, INSHUR, Hearst Magazines, PMG, the Acumen Business Convention, Webtrends Optimize, Nightcap i360, and Frontline AIDS. Each of these collaborations has underscored Nostos’s ability to deliver exceptional experiences for both intimate gatherings and largescale events.
With around 30 weddings already secured and numerous large-scale corporate events for 2026, showcasing their versatility across both personal and corporate spheres, Nostos Catering has tripled in size over the past year.
Their menu is a celebration of culinary diversity, spanning Greek and Mediterranean cuisine to modern European and British classics. Whether it’s a cozy 10-person dinner or a grand
300-guest affair, they bring the same commitment to quality and a personal touch to every event.
In essence, 2025 has been a standout year for Nostos Catering. Their ability to seamlessly serve a wide spectrum of clients and events, while forming strong ties across Sussex, showcases their remarkable growth and unwavering dedication to excellence. Through it all, they have continued to support charitable causes like Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, The Starr Trust, Prept. Foundation, and Together Co., because success means more when it lifts others too.
Phone: 01273 713059
Email: info@nostos-hove.co.uk
Website: www.nostos-hove.co.uk/ catering-services-in-brighton-hove/
With over two decades of recruitment experience, Placr Recruitment is dedicated to delivering a personalised, high-quality service to both employers and candidates.
Based in Sussex, our reach extends nationwide, and our mission is simple: we place the best candidates into the best companies, fostering growth and success for both
Our Services
Permanent Recruitment
We specialise in permanent recruitment, ensuring long-term
Location: Haywards Heath
Hours: Full time
Salary: £35,000–£45,000 DOE
A growing Chartered Wealth Management and Financial Planning firm is seeking an experienced Operations & Client Services Manager to lead the administration function and enhance the overall client experience.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a senior, hands-on role overseeing operational delivery, team workflow, and continuous improvement across the business.
Key responsibilities:
• Manage day-to-day operations of the administration team
• Oversee client records, workflows, and meeting preparation
success for both businesses and candidates. Our team is committed to understanding your specific needs and finding the perfect fit.
National Reach
Though we’re based in Sussex, our recruitment services extend across the UK. Whether you’re looking for talent locally or across the country, we’ve got you covered.
Industry Expertise
Our expertise spans multiple sectors, allowing us to match toptier candidates with leading companies in various industries.
Operations & Client Services Manager
• Support advisers and paraplanners with case management
• Ensure high standards of FCA compliance and file quality
• Drive process improvements, system efficiency, and service delivery
• Train and support administrative staff as the team grows
About you:
• Experience within financial planning / IFA / wealth management
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Confident communicator with clients and providers
• Familiar with CRM systems, platforms, and financial planning tools
• GCSE Maths & English required
What’s on offer:
• Close collaboration with the Managing Director
• Supportive, professional working environment
• Full study support and long-term career progression
Appliance Engineer
Location: BN postcode • Hours: Full time • Salary: upto £38k
We are recruiting an experienced Appliance Engineer to cover the BN postcode area, working across residential properties and managed accommodation.
The role involves fault diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of domestic appliances, delivering a reliable and professional service to customers and clients.
Key requirements:
• Proven experience repairing domestic appliances
• Relevant technical qualifications or industry experience
• Full UK driving licence
• Strong diagnostic skills and a customer-focused approach
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively
What we offer:
• Steady, local work across the BN area
• Competitive pay or day rates
• Supportive team environment within a growing business
Client Services Administrator
Haywards Heath • Hours: Full time • Salary: £25,000–£35,000
A growing Chartered Wealth Management and Financial Planning firm is seeking a Client Services Administrator to support advisers, paraplanners, and the Operations & Client Services Manager.
This role is suited to someone with financial services administration experience who is highly organised, detail-focused, and committed to delivering excellent client service. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and GCSE Maths & English required.
The role:
• Support day-to-day back-office operations and client servicing
• Maintain accurate client records via the firm’s CRM
• Prepare meeting packs, valuations, reports, and correspondence
• Assist with diary management, meeting preparation, and task administration
• Process new business applications and chase cases through to completion
• Liaise professionally with clients and providers
• Ensure files meet FCA and internal compliance standards
What’s on offer:
• Supportive, professional team environment
• Training, development, and long-term career progression
Appliance Installer
Location: Brighton & Horsham • Hours: Full time • Salary: upto 30K
We are seeking an experienced Appliance Installer to join a well-established and growing business operating across Brighton and Horsham.
The role involves the installation of domestic appliances within residential properties and managed accommodation, ensuring all work is completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.
Key requirements:
• Proven experience installing domestic appliances
• Full UK driving licence
• Strong customer service skills and a professional approach
• Ability to work independently and manage a daily schedule
What we offer:
• Consistent, local work across Sussex
• Competitive rates of pay
• Supportive team environment within a reputable local business
After a successful career as a solicitor, Lissie Squires made a dramatic shift into a completely different world: fashion and personal styling. In November 2025, she officially launched her business, Senaya Styling.
Although she had spent many years building her legal career, Lissie gradually realised that the law no longer brought her the sense of joy or fulfilment it once had. What had felt purposeful began to feel distant, and she found herself wanting a career that allowed her to genuinely uplift others. Her turning point came in early 2025, when she reflected on what she valued most about her work. She realised that the heart of her job had always been the human connection and helping people through important moments and making a positive difference in their lives.
This realisation opened the door to change. Lissie understood that the emotional impact she loved might be found outside the law, and that fashion, a long-held personal passion, offered an unexpected but natural way to channel these same values. From this, the idea for a bespoke personal-styling service emerged.
To Lissie, styling has never been about rules or trend-chasing. Instead, it’s about empowering the person in front of her. Drawing on the empathy, listening skills and careful attention she honed as a solicitor, she built Senaya Styling around those strengths. Her priority is to help each client discover and express their authentic self through clothing that feels both comfortable and true to them.
Since embracing this new direction, Lissie says the transition has felt surprisingly natural. Styling, at its core, is about celebrating individuality rather than uniformity. It encourages people to feel confident, genuine and aligned with who they are. That emotional transformation is what inspires her most.
As she explains: “Helping someone look great is wonderful, but helping them feel amazing, aligned, and truly themselves is where the real transformation happens.” With warmth and enthusiasm, she now guides clients towards dressing in a way that reflects their identity, not simply the trends of the moment.
As the festive season approaches, 2025’s party wardrobe is shaping up to be glamorous, expressive and remarkably versatile. Sequins and velvet remain favourites, but a range of fresh ideas are influencing both womenswear and menswear. Lissie shares her insight into the standout looks of the season.
Velvet is one of the strongest trends for women this year. Deep jewel tones including emerald, sapphire, and ruby bring richness and warmth to winter celebrations. Beyond dresses, velvet is appearing in trousers, blazers and coordinated sets, offering a modern alternative to the traditional festive dress and lending itself to elegant “power dressing”.
Sequins and metallics remain central for those who enjoy a sparkle. Whether it’s a shimmering mini dress or a subtle sequin-accented midi, shine is still a celebration staple. This year, however, sequins are being used more thoughtfully: a sequin blazer over tailored trousers or a metallic skirt paired with a simple knit offers glamour without overwhelming the look.
Texture is another key feature. Designers are embracing sheer overlays, satin slip dresses, feather trims, dramatic sleeves and layered fabrics, creating pieces with movement and dimension. Rich materials like faux fur and brocade continue to trend, offering outfits that blend warmth, comfort and festive sophistication.
For those who prefer a sleek and modern look, monochrome is gaining ground. Dressing head to toe in one colour (such as all-red or all-white) creates a striking effect through simplicity. Clean silhouettes and minimal accessories keep these looks fresh and contemporary.
Men’s Party Trends
Velvet is just as prominent in men’s fashion. Velvet blazers in jewel tones or deep neutrals add richness and texture, offering a festive feel that remains understated.
For men seeking a polished but relaxed look, smart trousers paired with blazers or structured coats are proving popular, balancing elegance with ease.
While sequins are rare in menswear, subtle shine is making its way in through metallic accessories, silk shirts or jackets with satin detailing. This approach brings a hint of glamour in a way that feels refined and accessible.
A more fluid approach to styling is emerging too. Some men are experimenting with softer silhouettes, textured jackets or muted metallic accents, reflecting a broader shift towards personal expression and away from rigid conformist dress.
This year’s festive fashion leans away from the loud, dramatic glamour of previous seasons. Instead, 2025 emphasises individuality, comfort and personality. Rich fabrics, tailored cuts, subtle shine and versatile pieces allow each person to craft a look that feels uniquely their own.
Whether someone prefers the sparkle of sequins, the modern simplicity of monochrome or the depth of velvet, the season offers a wide range of options that encourage self-expression. For clients working with Senaya Styling, these trends provide the perfect backdrop for personalised guidance bringing together individual taste and thoughtful design to create looks that feel festive, flattering and authentic.
Contact Senaya Styling at hello@ senaya.uk or visit www.senaya.uk.
Wine of the Month for December is Peter Hall from Breaky Bottom’s Kir Royale 2019 Brut. A fine English sparkling wine to celebrate Christmas with the late Peter Hall’s Cuvée Kir Royale 2019 Brut
It would only be fitting for me to sign off the year with a wine from Breaky Bottom which has been my favourite vineyard for the last 10 years and owned by a dear friend Peter Hall who recently passed and had been making wines in Sussex for the last 50 years. The vineyard is nestled next to the South Downs near the village of Rodmell near Lewes.
I have always called him the Godfather of English Wine, who as well as making fine wines was also full of stories from his rich history and Anglo French heritage. For the last 15 years the Royal Household has also bought his sparkling wines to serve to international guests such as Presidents, Kings, Queens and dignitaries visiting to the UK so you are in good company. For me I have always celebrated with Breaky Bottom wines especially Christmas dinner, it’s a tradition in our household every year.
Peter own’s description of his Kir Royale;
In 1999 I decided to dedicate a small area of my vineyard to grow blackcurrants for producing a Crème de Cassis which I used as a dosage to craft a Kir Royale. I believe it was the only rosé wine of its kind in England and proved to be widely appreciated.
To mark Breaky Bottom’s 50th anniversary I have revived this cuvée by
disgorging just 1,000 bottles of my 2019 Seyval Blanc with cassis made from our own blackcurrants.
The wine has a light blush pink colour, with a lively and appealing mousse. Aromatically the wine is cheerful and unpretentious – there is light and fragrant citrus, slight floral notes with berry fruit hints. A crisp citrus and green apple bite is met with subtle berry flavours. The blackcurrant undertones make this an enjoyable and delightfully playful wine.
Only 1,000 bottles produced.
Varietals: Seyval Blanc and Crème de Cassis.
ABV: 12%
Downs Distillery in Bolney for around £60 a bottle.
Serving and pairing suggestion from Michael;
This wine works well with smoked salmon and with charcuterie such as the Salami and Copa from Curing Rebels @curingrebels
Where to buy?
This wine is available from various Sussex wines sellers such as Middle Farm, Harvey’s Brewery shop, Lewes, Butlers Wine Cellar or at Spirit of the
Written for County Business Club by Michael Yeoman, English Wine Specialist and producer of Spirit of the Downs, award winning local artisan Sussex Brandies, Grape Vodka and Boosy Barista Coffee Liqueur.
Spirit of the Downs distillery celebrate Christmas in style with their locally produced Morerish Morello Cherry Brandy, Sussex Shot Orange & Vanilla liqueurs and Wild Stork Gin
Locally based Spirit of the Downs Distillery are the only Brandy Distillery in the UK that uses local grapes to create it’s brandies and liqueurs. Since 2017 Spirit of the Downs has been using the finest local grapes to craft a range of award-winning Sussex Brandy, Grape Vodka, and Liqueurs at their distillery in Bolney just of the A23 just after Hickstead Showground. They are a small distillery but have won 13 international awards for their range of grape based spirits.
There spirits are made with sustainability in mind, typically using pressed grapes from the finest small-batch sparkling wine producers such as Bolney, Sugrue South Downs, Plumpton and Breaky Bottom. The result are spirits that are fruity, smooth, and complex, perfect additions to any Christmas Celebrations
Last year, the distillery launched the exceptional coffee Boosy Barista which won Silver at the World Liqueur Awards. In September they launched two new liqueurs in a category which is very much on trend for Christmas;
Sussex Shot – 35% Vol - Orange and Vanilla Liqueur – 70cl - £32
Is a sweetened English brandy with fresh oranges and tangerines, it uses our English and French oak aged brandy as it’s base and is ideal on its own as a shooter or digestive. It creation was inspired by drinking sweetened Italian brandy Tuaca in the 00’s as a shot in Brighton. Sussex Shot is great as a chaser or long refreshing tall drink with ginger ale and ice. It also works well for orange based cocktails such as Margarita or as part of a sangria.
Moreish Morello – 20% Vol –
- 70cl - £28
Is a cherry brandy liqueur made from our house grape spirit to create an intense cherry liqueur using local Sussex and Kent Morello cherries for a smooth and fruity aperitif or digestive. This works well on its own as an alternative to Chambord for addition of fruit with a sparkling English sparkling wine or prosecco.
Wild Stork Gin – 43% vol – Sussex Botanical Gin – 70cl - £36
This special Gin was created using forageable local botanicals from the South Downs National Park to celebrate Storrington and Knepp Estate becoming the UK’s first Stork village. Each bottle sold provides a contribution to the South Downs National Park Trust is wonderfully rounded and can be drunk on its own or with a tonic.
Spirit of the Down’s Distillery is available in over 150 locations, including some of the South East’s finest bars and restaurants, as well as many local farm shops, garden centres, heritage sites and also at The Ivy and online via Master of Malt.
Spirit of the Downs Distillery is open from 12 till 5pm most of the week including tours on Saturday’s at 1pm and 3pm www.spiritofthedowns. co.uk Instagram/facebook @spiritofthedowns
Die My Love is a film that leans into its genre conventions only to reveal something sharper beneath the surface. What begins as a seemingly straightforward thriller gradually unfurls into a study of obsession, guilt, and the fragility of trust. Its familiar foundations become a springboard for tension that never quite loosens its hold.
The cinematography is one of the film’s standout achievements. Director of photography Mara Kessler shapes each frame with meticulous precision, using color and shadow to reflect the emotional erosion at the story’s core. Scenes linger—sometimes uncomfortably—inviting the audience to notice what the characters avoid. The result is a visual palette that feels both intimate and unsettling.
The score underscores this unease with restraint. Rather than overwhelming the film’s quieter moments, it settles beneath them, suggesting danger long before it arrives. The action, when it erupts, is brisk and
purposeful, always anchored by the narrative rather than spectacle.
Dialogue is purposeful, often charged with subtext. The screenplay trusts the audience to connect the dots, allowing tension to develop in glances and pauses as much as in spoken exchanges. While the film’s midsection briefly loses focus—juggling one subplot too many— it recovers with a final act that delivers both emotional payoff and thematic clarity.
Some secondary characters feel underexplored, hinting at motivations the film never fully unpacks. Even so, the central arc is compelling enough to carry the weight, driven by a pair of performances that balance vulnerability with volatility.
Die My Love entertains, but more importantly, it lingers. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and edged with melancholy, it stands as a testament to what genre filmmaking can achieve when crafted with intention.
Cinematography: 4/5
Score: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Dialogue: 4.5/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Ending: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
