Volunteers from more than 12 locally developed projects came together at Tilling Green Community Centre, Rye, to celebrate their achievements within the Neighbourhood Enablers project, on Thursday 28th march. The volunteers had been brought together by Capacity Builder, Flora Williams, who worked with a wide range of people to develop their ideas into live projects, which would benefit their community.

The Neighbourhood Enablers project, funded by the Government’s Social Action Fund, was led by the Hastings Trust, in partnership with the Rye Partnership, Rother Voluntary Action and Hastings Furniture Service. The Neighbourhood Enablers project was hosted by the Rye Partnership in Rye, with the project working across the Rye and Eastern Rother area.

Rye Partnership Chairman, Cllr. Keith Glazier, said, “This project shows the power of working in partnership with other organisations. Working together to develop localised projects that meet local needs has given a much needed boost to the area. I would like to see much more of this kind of collaborative working in the future”

Local volunteer, Sophie Alstin, said “Being part of the project has not only benefited the local community, through the development of a project, but I have also benefited enormously, by what I have learned and the confidence it has given me. It has changed my life.”

The volunteers were joined by a range of dignitaries, including Rye’s Deputy Mayor, Bernadine Fiddimore and other Rye Town Councillors. Guests and volunteers were given the opportunity to network and to see examples of work and information that has been accomplished by the volunteer projects. The Chairs of the Hastings Trust and Rye Partnership, Esther Brown and Keith Glazier, handed out certificates of achievement to each of the projects.

Flora Williams, who was loudly applauded by the volunteers, spoke about the projects that had been achieved and the dedication and passion of local volunteers. Local projects range from a youth club for Winchelsea Beach and a poster competition against litter, through to a quilting group, a photography club and computer club for Tilling Green and a heritage group at Rye Harbour.

Flora said. “I am very sad that the project has come to an end. There are still projects that are at idea stage, waiting to be developed. If we had another six months we could have developed many more projects. However, I will still be working alongside the Rye Partnership and volunteering and keeping a hand in at the Tilling Green Community Centre. Many of the projects that have been developed will continue to go from strength to strength”