Members of the HVA team were delighted to join Enjoycation for the opening of their courtyard Learning Garden.

Many people helped get the courtyard to its finished (but still evolving!) state, including Balfour Beatty who cleared undergrowth and made the back wall stable, HVA’s Community Nature Connections who supported with a grant, donors via JustGiving, and many people carrying gravel, painting walls, building furniture, lugging compost and making artwork… including HVA staff and Enjoycation parents, staff and students.

We are so pleased that these collaborative efforts have enabled us to bring this abandoned space back into use.

Jackson Hall Learning Garden: some information

The garden is intended as a learning space, for growing plants, learning about ecosystems and sustainability, helping pollinators… but is also a relaxing and calm outside area for all users of Jackson Hall.

The pond is planted with native species that will attract pollinators. They include Hornwort, Marsh Marigold, Cotton Grass, Slender Club Rush and Water Forget-Me-Not.

The courtyard will have a number of different watering places for insects and other minibeasts to drink safely, as well as an insect “hotel” for overwintering. There are plans to make a small log pile for little creatures to inhabit.

The acer was bought with a very kind donation from Rye Quaker Meeting.

The wall-mounted mosaic circles use recycled CDs and were used to explore mathematical ideas of symmetry in their design.

The “peace pole” was designed and painted by four of Enjoycation’s groups of children aged 4-14. Each group had one side of the pole and chose a type of “minibeast” to portray on it. It will be turned periodically to display each of the beautiful sides.

The largest of the raised beds has been left mostly empty, for the children to plant next year with lots of different crops. The youngest pupil group (4-8-year-olds) already planted sunflower seeds and watched them germinate, before taking them home to plant in their own gardens.

Hastings Food Project are delighted to announce our Healthy Hastings Grant programme, open to any food related projects working in Hastings and St Leonards.

These grants are funded by East Sussex County Council as part of the Good Food East Sussex network www.goodfoodeastsussex.org.uk

Hastings Food Project are offering 14 grants of up to £500, and we are inviting applications from organisations to run an event or activity under the banner of Healthy Hastings. These events and activities must be delivered during Good Food East Sussex Month (October 2026). Healthy Hastings can be interpreted quite broadly – some examples might include a food festival, a cookery workshop, a community dining opportunity, a general health event focused on food, a physical activity involving food in some way – please be as creative and innovative as you like!

Please visit the grant application form for full details, which can be found HERE.

We particularly welcome applications from projects which support vulnerable households and underrepresented groups.

If you have any questions please contact Debby Anderson on debby@hastingsvolutaryaction.org.uk, or 01424 444010

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 5PM ON 11TH AUGUST 2026

The Foreshore Trust Small & Events Grants Programme supports local organisations in turning their ideas into projects that benefit the town and its community.

Grants of up to £6,000 are available to fund events, activities, and smaller projects that encourage participation and create a positive impact for people in Hastings and St Leonards. The focus for this round is on community cohesion, equality, and environmental sustainability.

With up to £20 million of additional government being invested over the next decade, this is a major opportunity to support projects that make a real difference locally – from improving community spaces to supporting activities for young people and strengthening neighbourhoods.
This year, £342,000 is available through the Pride in our Neighbourhoods programme, with funding increasing to up to £500,000 annually from next year. A further £100,000 is also available to help groups build capacity and prepare applications.

The programme is led by the Hastings Neighbourhood Board and shaped by the priorities of residents. Thousands of people have already shared what matters to them – from safer, cleaner streets to more opportunities for young people.

You don’t need previous experience to apply, and support is available to help you through the process.

🗓 Applications close: 11:59pm, 31 August 2026
If you have an idea that could make a difference where you live, this is your chance to bring it to life.

A huge well done to all the local leaders who recently completed the Clore Social Leadership programme! Our CEO, Steve Manwaring, said:

“As CEO of Hastings Voluntary Action I would like to congratulate the 25 local leaders who completed their 6 month Clore Social Leadership programme last week. This was an opportunity for Hastings’ leaders to recharge, reconnect, and re-imagine how they can continue to drive positive change. The feedback from participants has been really strong and it is clear that this has brought real benefit to individuals, the wider VSCE sector, and in time, a positive impact across our town.

We had gorgeous blue skies and blazing sun for our Refugee Week football tournament on Sunday. What a morning! Thank you so much to all the players who helped make it such a success. Who needs the World Cup when we have this much talent on our home pitch?! And well done to the lads from Khalid’s Kitchen who took home the trophy.

We definitely couldn’t have done this without the kindness and generosity of the folk at Hastings United, Play Sport and Education Futures Trust who gave their time, skills and knowledge, plus use of their great space and equipment.

This was HVA/Links’ and Simo Rafi’s first attempt putting on a tournament like this to see if there was an appetite for it. Since there clearly was, you can watch this space for future events building on this one!

If you’re interested to be involved, or to support future football events in some way, please get in touch with marc@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk

Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA) is seeking an experienced and motivated Funding Advisor to help local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations secure the resources they need to thrive.

We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills and a thorough understanding of the challenges facing community organisations. Experience of successful fundraising, capacity building and developing partnerships with a range of stakeholders essential.

In return, you will join a committed and supportive team dedicated to improving the lives of people across Hastings. This role offers the chance to make a tangible difference by helping local organisations become more financially resilient and better equipped to deliver vital services within our communities.

Deadline: 13th July 2026

For questions about the role please contact: steve@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk

Please download the full job description, application form and equal opportunities monitoring form  below.

The ICT is seeking a Communications Specialist to support a focused, time-limited programme to amplify and adapt existing smoking cessation campaign material in the lead-up to and during Stoptober.

Deadline for Applications: Sunday 28th June at 10pm . For the full information and how to apply, see tender document below.

We have £25,000 available in grant funding to support local voluntary, community, social enterprise (VCSE) and youth organisations working with Hastings residents. We’re looking for your unique knowledge of your beneficiary group to raise awareness of the benefits of smoking cessation and the free local Stop Smoking services provided by One You East Sussex. Ultimately, we would like to increase referrals to and take-up of these services.

One way of doing this is to highlight and present details of services using materials that will both appeal to and resonate with the groups you are working with.  You might want to buy improved signage to present smoking in and around your premises.  You could also design and run Smoking Cessation sessions to encourage people to give up smoking and provide additional support throughout the process. Grants of up to £4,500 are available.

We are now operating a rolling programme so there is no deadline for application submission, but delivery of your projects should be completed in November 2026.

For further information please see Guidance for Applicants and SFG Application Form attached below.  You can also contact Jan Papworth  (jan@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk) who can answer any questions and help you with your application.

The Jeder workshops are a gathering for people who are building inclusive, active communities – VCSE organisations, residents and local authority colleagues who believe that lasting change starts within communities.

There are four workshop days taking place across East Sussex and you are welcome to join one, two, three or even all four days.

Please book through eventbrite via links or QR codes – People from all sectors welcome.  Any queries contact su@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk