In Your Community

Getting involved can help make change for the better.  There are many different ways that residents can get involved in communities in Brighton and Hove.

This film shows how some residents get involved in local decision-making.

Take Part

Services and Activities

There are hundreds of voluntary and community groups in Brighton and Hove, who provide lots of different services and activities.  From providing welfare advice to organising social activities and outings, from supporting children and young people or older people, from organising neighbourhood watch to local sports days, there is likely to be something in the community to help you or for you to get involved with.

  • The Community and Voluntary Sector Forum is an umbrella organisation with over 500 such groups in its membership.  Use the search facility of its online directory to help you find what you are looking for.
  • You can also search for voluntary organisations, charities and local community groups in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex using the ESCIS directory which includes more than 2000 entries for the city.

Interest Groups

  • The Equality Coalition is a network of community and voluntary sector groups and organisations, hosted by the Federation of Disabled People in partnership with the Community and Voluntary Sector Forum (CVSF).

Neighbourhoods

  • The Communities Team at Brighton and Hove City Council has information about communities and neighbourhoods in the city, including information about how you can get involved.

Community Safety

  • Residents can play their part in keeping communities safe by getting involved in Local Action Teams which work to identify and reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour problems in neighbourhoods.
  • Local Action Teams also participate in and help develop strategies for community safety. The Safe in the City campaign describes the work of Brighton & Hove’s Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), which is made up of many organisations who work together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.  The Safe in the City website shows how you can get involved, including how to help tackle crimes such as racial harassment, LGBT hate crimes and domestic violence.
  • The Sussex Police website describes Local Neighbourhood Policing and provides contact details for local neighbourhood officers who are key points of contact for residents.
  • CDRP partners have their own strategies for seeking the involvement of local people.  For example, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) plays an active role in community safety, providing support and advice on fire, home and road safety.  They frequently support and attend community events and festivals to raise awareness of safety issues. Contact the service to find out more.

safety

Health

  • The LINk (Local Involvement Network) is an independent network of people and organisations, which gives Brighton and Hove residents and groups a stronger voice on health and social care issues.
  • NHS Brighton and Hove provides information about the various ways to get involved in their services.
  • There is also comprehensive information about how to find out about local health services, including GPs, dentists and other health services.
  • The Expert Patients Programme is a free self management course for people with a long term condition. It aims to give people knowledge and skills to help them manage their condition and improve their quality of life
  • Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust is planning to become a foundation trust in the Autumn of 2010.  Become a member online or email ft@bsuh.nhs.uk or call 01273 523000.
  • Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - this link provides information on how you can become a member, volunteer and help to develop local mental health, learning disability and substance misuse services.
  • South Downs Health NHS Trust - this link provides information on how you can get involved in shaping health services.  The trust is also looking for volunteers. For example in gardening, befriending adults with learning disabilities etc. In return, volunteers can acquire numerous skills such as confidence building.
  • NHS South East Coast (Strategic Health Authority) - is the regional headquarters of the NHS in Kent, Surrey & Sussex. Their Get Involved webpages provide information on the various ways in which patients and local residents can engage to influence the delivery of health services. For example, information on how to become an associate of the People’s Engagement and Development Network

Housing

  • National Tenant Voice -  if you want to influence national policies that affect social housing tenants, apply to be on the new National Tenant Council. This website also provides contact details for all the housing offices in the city.
  • Homes and Communities Agency -  is the national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England. Its role is to create thriving communities and affordable homes.  The agency has a budget of 8.4bn to deliver affordable housing through The National Affordable Housing Programme (NAHP) from 2008-11.  This link provides information on its priorities, activities as well Regional Investment Statement data in the South East. Homes and Communities Agency does not provide volunteering opportunities. However residents can contact  their local Brighton and Hove housing associations and seek any volunteering opportunities.

Support for community groups

  • Brighton and Hove Support for Groups website provides information about support available to community and voluntary groups and organisations.
  • The Support for Groups website provides information about fundraising and regular updates on funding opportunties
  • The Communities Team at Brighton and Hove City Council manages a programme of grant funding opportunities for community or voluntary group in the city and offers a GRANTfinder search service to help groups identify appropriate funding sources.

    Council services

    • Check out the Council Website to find out about other opportunities to get involved in the city.