Dear All,
I’m writing to you today with an important and personal update about the future of Headway Sussex.
Many of you know Headway Sussex well. You may have used our services, attended one of our groups or activities, supported a family member, volunteered, fundraised for us or simply followed and supported our work over the years.
Whatever your connection to Headway Sussex, we are asking you to help us at a really important moment in our history.
For some time, we have been looking at how we can secure the long-term future of our charity. Like many charities, we are facing increasing financial pressures and rising costs. We have already had to make difficult decisions about some of our services, and without significant investment, it will become increasingly challenging to continue providing the level of support that people affected by acquired brain injury across Sussex rely upon.
Our current buildings at Newick are also no longer meeting our needs. They are expensive to run, not energy efficient and do not provide the modern, accessible environment that the people we support deserve.
That is why we have been working in partnership with Remmus Designer Homes on plans that could secure a much stronger and more sustainable future for Headway Sussex.
A planning application has now been submitted to Lewes District Council and is available to view on the Planning Portal under reference LW/26/0343. Here is the link:
https://planningpa.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=THDVLLJDH2800
The proposals would enable the creation of a new, purpose-built home for Headway Sussex, allowing us to remain at our Newick site while providing modern, accessible spaces for support, activities and office facilities.
This is about much more than a new building.
It is about protecting the future of Headway Sussex.
It is about ensuring that people affected by acquired brain injury still have somewhere to turn for support.
It is about allowing us to meet the growing needs of people with ABI across Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex for many years to come.
We cannot emphasise enough how important public support is at this stage. If you believe in the work we do and want to see Headway Sussex continue into the future, please consider taking a few minutes to leave a positive comment on the Council’s Planning Portal.
Every single message of support can help demonstrate just how important Headway Sussex is to the people and communities we serve. We would be incredibly grateful for your support.
As part of the wider proposal, Remmus Designer Homes is also seeking planning permission for 25 high-quality new homes. The development has been designed to support local housing needs while helping to make this once-in-a-generation opportunity for Headway Sussex possible.
We know that asking people to take action can sometimes feel like a big thing, but even a short message explaining why Headway Sussex matters to you could make a real difference.
If Headway Sussex has supported you, your family or someone you care about, please consider sharing your experience. If you believe our services are important, please tell the Council why. If you want to see Headway Sussex continue supporting future generations of people affected by brain injury, please make your voice heard.
And please don’t feel that you have to do this alone. If you have any questions about the plans, would like more information or need help understanding how to submit a comment, please message us. We would be very happy to talk you through the proposals and help in any way we can.
You can also contact the project team directly at info@headwayhouseconsultation.co.uk or by telephone on 0203 026 3229.
We are incredibly proud of everything Headway Sussex has achieved over the years, but we also know that our future cannot be taken for granted. This proposal gives us an opportunity to build something sustainable and secure for the future.
We hope that, if Headway Sussex has ever mattered to you, you will stand with us now and help us show how much this charity means to the people of Sussex.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
With very best wishes,
Ian Foster
Chief Executive
Headway Sussex
ian.foster@headwaysussex.org.uk
