Wealden MP Nus Ghani has successfully supported Hailsham-based community interest company Sunflowers Mental Health and Wellbeing in their search for premises to use as their base in East Sussex.
The company is a non-profit, community-based project offering counselling and mental health support.
Founder and managing director Charlotte Brazier has been running online mental health groups throughout the pandemic and managing a mental health and counselling team, which made well-being calls to those struggling with isolation. She supports Wealden District Council in their Covid-19 programs in and around Hailsham and in offering counselling sessions.
Nus met Charlotte earlier this summer when she and Helen Lawrence received a Wealden Hero Award for setting up the Hailsham Crisis Support group and supporting over 400 people in the area by running errands and providing well-being support.
Due to the combined efforts of the high volume of volunteers, Sunflowers were looking into expanding into new teams all across Wealden in order to support more local areas. They were looking for a space to use as an information hub and a safe space to talk. Nus has lobbied local authorities on the behalf of Sunflowers and a solution has been found.
After Nus raised the issue with the leader of Wealden District Council, Sunflowers have been offered to use a space in the centre of Hailsham, free of charge. They will be permanently moving into Unit 30 at the Vicarage shopping centre above the newly opened Flowers by Maybugs.
Nus Ghani said: “Charlotte has created a wonderful project, focusing on providing a much-needed mental health support during these unprecedented times.
"I am pleased to have successfully supported Sunflowers in obtaining a safe space from which they can offer support for Wealden residents.
"I cannot thank them enough for the crucial services they provide to the community and I wish them all the best as they settle into their new hub.”
The group’s wellbeing callers trained during the pandemic are now championing a new project, 'Sunflowers Supporting Sussex'.
They carry out daily calls to those who are struggling with loneliness and anxiety and work alongside adult social care, NHS mental health services and dementia services.
You can get in touch with the Sunflowers at [email protected] or by calling 07851 963253.
For more information, please visit www.sunflowerscic.org.
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