2024 has been a busy year in West Sussex, read on to find out some of the exciting things we have been getting up to!
Site changes
2024 was marked by the exciting move to our brand-new site in Ford, Arundel! What began as an empty shell has transformed into a fully operational office where our team has settled in wonderfully. Everyone is enjoying the benefits of being back together under one roof.
Operations in Horsham have also seen significant progress over the past few months with the transition to the Herts, meals on wheels model. This shift has involved replacing vans with cars, enhancing our operations and cost efficiency. Additionally, the kitchen at the Ford site has now been completed and we look forward to fully implementing the Herts model in the new year.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to this project, with a special shout out to our West Sussex team for their patience and adaptability during the construction work. We’re thrilled about the opportunities this new space will bring as we continue to grow and expand our operations!
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Client gifts
Over the past year, our West Sussex clients have enjoyed an array of thoughtful gifts thanks to the generosity of our fantastic partners. During Nutrition & Hydration Week, Southern Water provided 500 water bottles. For World Book Night, West Sussex Libraries gifted our clients copies of Without Warning & Only Sometimes by Kit de Waal. In August, everyone was treated to a delightful cream tea, followed by a four-piece Kit Kat for Fairtrade Fortnight in September, courtesy of BidFood. Additionally, Horsham District Council supplied thermal socks to help keep our clients warm. We’re incredibly grateful for the support of partners like BidFood, Southern Water, and our local councils, whose contributions make a real difference.
Age UK recently shared some wonderful gifts they received from Dunelm, spreading joy to both their clients and ours. We were delighted to deliver the gifts over the Christmas period.
Meals on wheels week 2024
During Meals on Wheels Week, we had a very special delivery for one of our lovely couples, courtesy of the Bognor Regis fire crew! Along with their hot meal, they also received a Safe and Well visit from Ben. It was fantastic to see the fire crew getting involved and supporting our campaign.
The week was further highlighted by the Council, which released a press release and shared social media posts to raise awareness about our activities and the vital service we provide.
Communications and collaborations
Through collaboration with partners like WSCC, Age UK and the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, we’ve been able to extend our reach significantly. This year alone, our efforts have engaged over 26,000 social media accounts.
This year, the Communications & Marketing team launched the West Sussex LIVE referrers webinar, which has been a resounding success. So far, we’ve presented to 130 referrers, including Social Workers, Health Care Professionals, and PAT teams. Feedback has been very positive, with attendees finding the sessions both informative and valuable. We’re excited to continue these webinars into 2025, building on their success and further supporting our referrers.
Rachel, our field marketer, also took to the airwaves this year with Chichester Talking News, contributing to their quarterly magazine INSIGHT and fortnightly news bulletins. These updates, delivered on memory sticks, are designed for local residents who are visually impaired. You can listen to Rachel’s interview here.
In addition, HILS West Sussex was honoured to be nominated for “Charity of the Year” at the 2024 Arun Business Awards. While we didn’t take home the top prize, being shortlisted was a tremendous achievement and a testament to the incredible work carried out by the entire HILS team.
It’s been another busy year for the West Sussex Communications & Marketing team as they continue connecting with those who need our services now or may benefit in the future. Through talks, taster sessions, and community events, the team has reached over 1,800 individuals and participated in over 120 events. Their efforts have been further amplified by impactful advertising and PR campaigns, making a real difference in raising awareness and engagement.
Bring on 2025!
