Voluntary Action Arun & Chichester
Voluntary Action Arun & Chichester
News
Voluntary Action Arun & Chichester provide a weekly e-bulletin with all the latest news, events, funding, training and jobs that is available across our area and West Sussex.
It is not only for you but also ‘by’ you. Send us your updates and we will publicise your events, share your ideas or surveys and inform the local community about your group for free. Send your news to Sharon
Wed 8 October 2025
The time of year when we celebrate the amazing contribution made by trustees for their charities and recognise the difference they make. You can find out about this week’s range of events and access free guidance and resources here.
Join Eastside People for the Festival of Trusteeship 3 – 7 November, a week-long online series of events for trustees and everyone who is interested in trustees, charities and how they are run. Find out more here.
Lucy Stone Trustee Training – Fundraising: Where can Trustees Start? Tuesday 4th November 6pm – 7.30pm, online. Find out more here.
Charity Governance, Finance and Resilience: 15 questions trustees should ask. Thursday 6th November 6pm – 7.30pm, online. VAAC Finance Manager, Ailsa Burkimsher will provide some practical tips on implementing the Charity Commission’s guidance. Find out more here.
Mon 14 July 2025
Selsey Community Forum are now working across the Manhood Peninsula (Selsey, Bracklesham, Witterings, Earnley, Highleigh, Sidlesham, Hunston) and are looking for volunteers to meet demand of their services. They have various opportunities in different locations. For further information contact Karen Pirks, Operations Lead, Selsey Community Forum via operations@selseycommunityforum.uk or telephone 07824 376760 for an informal chat, or to register as a volunteer.
Selsey Community Forum volunteering opportunities across the Manhood Peninsula
Wed 4 June 2025
We were excited to celebrate Volunteers’ Week on Wednesday 4th June with a Volunteers’ Picnic. A wonderful day was had by all at the Ferring Country Centre. The sun was shining, the music played. There was plenty of tea and cake consumed and even some Pétanque! Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such an enjoyable event. A special thanks to Ferring Country Centre for hosting the picnic, Mike Fry from Waves Music Therapy for his wonderful musical entertainment throughout, to Dr Tim Fooks the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Cllr Alan Butcher the Mayor of Littlehampton, Cllr Freddie Tandy the Chairman of Arun District Council, who all came along to join us. Of course, not forgetting all the wonderful volunteers who do a fantastic job in the local community.
Thu 27 June 2024
Congratulations to Jan Sheward from Cancer United who recently receieved the prestigious Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM).
The investiture took place at Ham Manor Golf Club, with Lord-Lieutenant Lady Emma Barnard presenting the medal and Her Grace The Duchess of Norfolk reading the citation
The ceremony highlighted Jan’s outstanding contributions to cancer support and community service through her organisation, Cancer United.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeG2YNdKHnE
Tue 20 February 2024
This Saturday is the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. There is a large community of Ukrainian families now living in Arun and Chichester who have been unable to return home. We are thinking of them at this time, and wishing peace and happiness for them and all of their loved ones. Volya, who are a Ukrainian Choir living in Chichester, have recorded a special performance to mark the occasion. Their thoughts and prayers are with their homeland.
Watch the Volya performance
Wed 17 January 2024
On Saturday 13th January, we held our Annual Volunteer Fair and it was bigger and better than ever! With 30 local organisations on hand to talk to the approx. 170 visitors to the event, the buzz in the room was palpable. It was a great opportunity to showcase the many and varied volunteering roles that are available across Arun and Chichester, and we had positive feedback from both organisations and potential new volunteers. Read the full write up and see photos of the event here.
Wed 20 December 2023
Winter can be a hard time of year for many people. Community Works have collated some resources to help you support your service users and keep your activities running.
https://www.communityworks.org.uk/whats-new/get-ready-for-winter/
Wed 20 December 2023
December update from the Arun & Chichester Food Partnership – focusing on different ways to support people this Christmas.
Merry Christmas from the Food Partnership
Wed 13 December 2023
We had a great Networking event in Bognor Regis this morning, and it was nice to catch up with some of our members and partners before we all head off to celebrate the festive period. As always it was brilliant to see lots of connections being made and new partnerships being forged. Massive thanks to Bognor Makerspace for stepping in to host us at the last minute. We’re looking forward to more networking events in 2024.
Mon 27 November 2023
On the 18th of November, together with Bridge to Unity, VAAC organised the Job Connect Event in the Chichester Boys’ Club. The event was aimed at supporting Ukrainians who came to the Chichester area in search of safety to utilize their strengths and skills and find their way into better employment in the UK. Matt Sheerin, the career specialist from After the Military Career and Consultancy Services talked about non obvious ways of looking for a job, transferable skills, and the typical British CV structure. More support will be provided to those who need it during 1-2-1 online meetings. VAAC members, Chichester Community Development Trust and Stonepillow, also had a chance to informally talk to the participants of the workshop about the charities’ activities and the volunteering opportunities open within the organisations.
The event was well attended, and participants were glad to have professional advice on how to navigate the UK labour market. Olena, who used to work as a CFO in the energy sector back in Ukraine and is struggling to find a job in finance in the UK, has said: “We are grateful for this event, I find it very useful!”
Wed 4 October 2023
VAAC were delighted to welcome the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Andy Bliss QPM, on 28th September, as he completed visits to all the members of the West Sussex Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure Alliance. The VAAC team took the High Sheriff to Bognor Makerspace, one of our members, to meet their staff, volunteers and clients, and hear about the fantastic work they are doing in Bognor Regis. We also enjoyed a moving performance by the Volya Choir, another of VAAC’s member organisations.
The High Sheriff said, “It was great to meet up with you today, to meet the VAAC team and to help to launch the Annual Impact Report – which I look forward to reading. I greatly enjoyed my visit to Makerspace – an exciting space which is already enabling creativity and small communities of interest to flourish and connect. And it was a great privilege to hear Choir Volya sing with such pride and warmth.”
Thank you to the High Sheriff for visiting us and learning about the work we do, and that of our members, as well as the difference that is being made in the communities around us.
Tue 3 October 2023
On 27th September VAAC members, Trustees and staff came together at Boxgrove Village Hall for the VAAC AGM and Networking lunch. In addition to the business matters, members were treated to a reading of some poems and an introduction to the work of Words Out Loud, one of VAAC’s member groups who aim to promote & foster all aspects of the written & spoken word, through charitable acts. To close the meeting there was a wonderful performance by another of VAAC’s members, the Cancer United Choir
Thank you to all our wonderful member organisations that we have worked with over the past year.
Wed 20 September 2023
The first meeting of what is hoped will become a campaign group for local people with physical and sensory disabilities, was held on Disabled People’s Day on Wednesday 13th September 2023. The event was hosted by VAAC and CDC and aimed to bring together individuals with a range of disabilities and offered representatives from local charitable organisations involved in disability issues the opportunity to meet and discuss issues affecting people living, working or visiting Chichester District.
Jackie Sumner, VAAC CEO said, “We were so pleased with the turnout, contributions to the debate an that everyone was keen to meet again, there is a lot that needs to change to improve the lives and outlook for disabled people and I know this group will be at the forefront of that change. If you want to get involved and find out more please get in touch.”
Disability Day Read the full report here
Sat 9 September 2023
We attended Littlehampton Town Show on 9th September. It was a fantastic day; despite being one of the warmest days this year, the attendance was fantastic and it was a fun community event. We were able to chat to lots of community groups as well as promote volunteering in the local community.”
Thu 6 July 2023
We were really pleased to host our recent networking meeting at a lovely new location for us (Felpham Village Hall). The meeting was very well attended by many of our local members, and lots of discussions were had and connections made. We are looking forward to meeting as many of our members as possible at our AGM in September and our next networking session in Midhurst in December (details to follow).
Wed 28 June 2023
“Volunteering Advisor, Tracy, and our new Ukrainian Volunteer Coordinator, Nina, recently attended the 5 Ways to Wellbeing organised by Lavant Road Surgery, promoting volunteering as a way to improve your physical and mental wellbeing. It was great to be part of the event, chatting with lots of local residents who were interested in hearing about the benefits of volunteering and what roles we have available. There were also several other organisations there including Age UK, the Rotary, the Ramblers walking group, Chichester Community Development Trust, and Chichester Wellbeing to name a few. It was a brilliant event with over 130 attendees.”
Tue 27 June 2023
A new bus route is coming between Chichester and Littlehampton that will increase access to essential services like medical appointments and affordable supermarkets.
The new 500 service will operate from Sunday 2nd July 2023 between Chichester and Littlehampton and includes St Richard’s Hospital, Shopwhyke, Tangmere, Fontwell, Barnham and Yapton. Buses will start early and run until late evening and operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays. If take-up of the service is high, the bus frequency may increase.
This service has been made possible with funding from West Sussex County Council and the Government’s Bus Back Better strategy.
To celebrate the launch of the 500, Stagecoach will be offering free travel on the 500 between Sunday 23rd July and Saturday 29th July. And in the meantime, the £2 single fare still applies.
The 500 timetable and route are attached and physical copies are available on request.
Service 500 Timetable Booklet
500 route map PDF
Sat 24 June 2023
Here at VAAC we’re really proud to partner with all of the voluntary uniform groups and support organisations for veterans. They provide such an important service and we enjoyed helping to recognise that on Armed Forces Day in Littlehampton last Saturday.
Wed 26 April 2023
A countywide charity helping struggling families who have someone close to them in prison in a variety of ways.
Sussex Prisoners Families, what do we do
Wed 29 March 2023
“Our second Coffee Connections (our informal drop-in for anyone working with volunteers) was hosted at the end of March by the Aldingbourne Trust. 10 organisations were represented, and it was a great morning of networking, sharing advice, asking questions and enjoying a cuppa together. Our next Coffee Connections will be on Tuesday 18th July at Ferring Country Centre – we’d love to see you there!”
Tue 21 March 2023
Selsey Community Forum worked in partnership with VAAC to host the first Selsey Community Partnership Networking Event allowing partners from the area to come together to share and demonstrate their work across Selsey and neighbouring parishes to members of the public, professionals, and local councillors.
The event was very well attended and showcased the work of more than 22 local organisations, providing excellent networking opportunities.
Anya from Mulberry Marine Experiences says, “I wanted to thank you for the event and invitation last week. We reached out to contacts which helps us spread the word and further increase what we can offer. Today we have announced a fully funded summer school for underprivileged children, it will run across eight days. This would have not been possible without the help of Selsey Lions, a shining example of how we can all work together for the community. “
Wed 8 March 2023
International Women’s Day at The Track in Bognor Regis went off with a bang on Wednesday 8th March. With coffee, cake and networking, The hub was brimming with local businesswomen.
Thu 2 March 2023
Fantastic to meet members at our networking event held at Southfields Community Centre in Littlehampton. Jackie Sumner, VAAC CEO said, “It was great to recognise the sheer diverse of provision there is in the area.”
Thank you to Felix Gillett, Community Resources Officer, Littlehampton Town Council for helping to organise this event and introducing us all to a new facility available for hire.
