Winter Newsletter 2022
Ahoy there me HEARTies!
The end of autumn saw the launch of the brand new Community Info Hub in the town centre. We would like to thank all the volunteers that have helped us get it up and running ( plus we managed to sneak in a couple of fake plants and some fairy lights - what’s not to love?)
The Info Hub offers face-to-face friendly help and advice about navigating winter, coping with the rising cost of living, community activities health and lifestyle coaching and more..
Tell your family, friends, the local shop owner, your pet dog Chompy - it’s there for everyone. If you’d like to get involved give us a ring, sign up on our website or send us an email and we’ll get right back to you.
Here’s a quick video telling you about what the hub does - Enjoy!
*The Info Hub is closed from the 24th December then reopens on the 5th January
We’re super-pleased to announce a new member of our Core Team at HEART, Maria!
Maria is a Volunteer Co-ordinator and ( you may have met her ) Desk Advisor at the Info Hub. Along with Laura they help support and organise all our volunteers, keeping them safe, happy and connected. And what an excellent job they do.
We feel very honoured to feature on one of The Nest’s Christmas windows and were delighted when Egg Tooth asked us.
HEART’s fortnightly Get Chatting meet-up has been running there for over seven months and for some people it’s a real lifeline. Dogs are also welcome at Get Chatting, last time we met “Ellie”, Margaret’s little hairy and quite naughty companion.
The next Get Chatting is on Wednesday 14th December 2 – 4pm at The Nest, on the Old Town High Street.
With the cold snap Warm Spaces are opening up around Hastings and St.Leonards where people can find some comfort without worrying about the cost. Some of them are also running activities, if that’s your sort of thing and you might even be able to get a nice hot affordable lunch.
There’s a full list and more information on our blog and here
You may have noticed that we now send out volunteer opportunities as short emails and texts. We know people are stretched and time is precious, so to make volunteering as accessible and easy as we can, we keep it snappy but keep you connected. If you aren’t receiving them do let us know by leaving us a message on our phoneline : 01424 235 290
HEART volunteers managed to distribute 2500 Keeping Warm and Well leaflets through people’s doors. The leaflet is full of advice about how to manage over the winter, where to get help and keep costs down. You can also pick up a leaflet at the Info Hub. Well done all of you, you will have helped a lot of people. Big round of applause.
Thank you to all the volunteers that also attended the Winter Readiness Training – it really was half an hour well spent and so useful to be able to ask questions to Citizen’s Advice 1066’s energy guru, the excellent Mike Peplar. There are going to be more sessions that we’ll let you know about by email.
We are looking for volunteer befrienders. We all know that this time of year can feel particularly lonely, being a befriender can be just giving someone a call once a week or popping by and having a cuppa, it can make a huge difference to someone’s well-being. If you can offer a little bit of your time email: maria@hastingsheart.com
Do you, a relative or friend struggle with a smart phone, want to chuck a tablet at the wall, don’t know the password, can’t access your emails and it’s all too much? Maybe you want to keep in touch with an elderly relative and they can’t use their device?
HEART can lend a hand. We’re not here to convert you to a digital life but with the brilliant people from Tech Resort we can help you with simple tech problems at our Digital Health Clinic on Thursday 12th January in the Community Info Hub.
Bring your devices in and we’ll help you use them for what you need.
It’s HEART’s wee Christmas Social on Thursday 15th at the Info Hub at Hastings Town Hall from 2 – 4pm.
Don your Chrimbo jumper, unleash the sparkle or bah humbug it in the corner, you are all invited. We always like seeing you and would like to say Thank You for being part of the good ship HEART for yet another year!!!