AN EVENT to celebrate the contribution of voluntary and community organisations was hosted by East Sussex County Council’s Chairman.

Councillor Roy Galley welcomed representatives from across the county to a Civic Reception at Charleston, Firle, and was joined by local councillors, Andrew Blackman, Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex and Annie Brown, High Sheriff of East Sussex.

Cllr Galley said: “I was delighted to be able to highlight the excellent breadth of voluntary and community organisations in East Sussex, celebrate what they offer to our county and recognise the value of the collaboration between voluntary and public sectors, particularly in the current financial climate.

“Those involved in these organisations work tirelessly in communities across the county and the support they provide residents is invaluable.”

The event on Monday, September 29, included speeches from Jennifer Twist, Chief Executive of Care for the Carers, Tim Hemmings, Chairman of Rother Volary Action, Carys Williams, Chair of Age UK East Sussex and Dr Simon Dowse, Director of Transformation and Strategy at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Carys Williams said: “We at Age UK East Sussex would like to thank the Chairman for the kind invitation to showcase how we’ve tripled the number of local older people we support as a local charity across East Sussex over the last two years, celebrate our staff and volunteers, and share insights into how local leaders can lend a hand to make East Sussex an even greater place to grow older.”

Dr Simon Dowse added: “Now, more than ever before, we need to work together so we can deliver the right services for the population we serve and opportunities like this, to engage with leaders across East Sussex outside of our formal structures, Boards and committees will become more and more critical in the coming years”.

Speaking after the event, Jennifer Twist, Chief Executive at Care for the Carers said: “Thank you to Cllr Galley for hosting an inspirational Chairman’s Civic Reception.  It was a privilege to speak about the work of Care for the Carers and the East Sussex Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Alliance, and to mark a shared commitment to statutory and voluntary sectors working together for East Sussex communities.”

Ends.