The independent charity Action in rural Sussex (AirS) has announced that its highly respected family outreach service, COPES, has been awarded £2,500 by Sussex Community Foundation.
The grant will pay for pop-up support sessions for parents in the Playden area, with themes including communicating assertively and effectively with children, establishing boundaries and routines in the home and managing well-being.
COPES has extensive experience of working with children and their parents and these themes have been agreed upon following close liaison with the Playden school. Parent groups reinforce supportive relationships between parents and help to remind them of what they are doing well.
In addition, groups usually encompass a wide variety of issues, so that parents can share what works and gain essential advice from others. This is especially beneficial in a rurally isolated area such as Playden.
“We are delighted to have received this grant,” commented Judy Perraton, COPES Team Leader. “It means we can continue to support families who may not have access to other help. These informal sessions can cover a lot of ground and help to prevent problems escalating, and we’re really grateful for the continued support of Sussex Community Foundation and its donors.”
COPES Family Outreach has supported children and families in rural East Sussex since 2003, through direct contracts with schools and funding from the local authority and other grant-awarding bodies. In 2016 COPES helped over 100 children and their parents to cope.
Issues dealt with included anxiety, poor self-esteem and mental health difficulties, often a by-product of family breakdown, bereavement and the challenge of managing complex needs whilst maintaining as good a family life as possible.
The next session will take place on July 4, 9am-10:30am at St. Michael’s C of E School, Playden. To book a place, please call Judy Perraton on 01273 407336.
For more information, visit www.ruralsussex.org.uk or www.sussexgiving.org.uk
The Sussex Community Foundation raises funds for and makes grants to local charities and community groups across East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove. Since 2006, it has given grants totalling £11.9 million to over 1,800 charities and community groups.
Most of the grants given are between £1,000 and £5,000 which make a big difference to the groups that receive them. It also manages funds of money on behalf of Sussex donors and has built a permanent endowment fund that currently stands at £12.6 million and which will benefit Sussex people for generations to come.
AirS is an independent charity that exists for all people living in rural areas of Sussex but especially those who are at risk of isolation and/or disadvantage, and for whom rural life brings an additional challenge and cost to their daily lives. AirS’ services include support for Children and Families (COPES), Affordable Housing, Neighourhood and Community Planning, Community Land Trusts, Village Agents and Village Care, Community Buildings Advice and Support and Advocacy for rural communities.
Established in 1931, it is staffed by a highly experienced and dedicated team who are committed to helping people overcome the challenges caused by their rural location. Their vision is for a thriving, economically active rural Sussex full of choice and opportunities for everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
Part of the ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) network of rural councils, their work is funded by members’ subscriptions, donations and legacies. In addition, some of the services receive grant funding from trusts, foundations and the public sector. For more information visit: www.ruralsussex.org.uk or follow us on Twitter: @ruralsussex.