“THE support of Community Works has been invaluable”. Those were the words of one Worthing charity which is prospering thanks to a town hall partnership.

For the past year Adur and Worthing councils have worked with Community Works to help voluntary and community organisations grow.

Working from a base in Worthing Town Hall, Community Works provides expert advice, support and networking opportunities to voluntary and community organisations across Adur and Worthing.

With a new CEO at the helm, Community Works and Adur and Worthing Councils continue to work together to benefit thousands of residents across both areas.

Jess Sumner, who became CEO of Community Works this summer, said: “Our mission is to reach out and connect charities, volunteers and businesses across Adur and Worthing to make our society and local areas.

“In the past 12 months we have reached out to hundreds of groups, seeing first-hand the fantastic work that is going on. We are determined to build on that work, offering help and support.”

Adur and Worthing councils awarded a contract to Community Works to provide sector leadership, networking and development support for the Community and Voluntary Sector locally in the summer of 2016.

It is jointly funded by West Sussex County Council.

In the past 12 months Community Works has been offering support and advice from its offices in Worthing Town Hall.

A regular newsletter is well read and has lots of useful information regarding training, fundraising tips, legislation changes and governance guidance.

Community Works has also contacted hundreds of charities and voluntary groups of all sizes, finding out what they need to grow and support more people in the community so they can help in the best way

Achievements include:

l providing support to 167 voluntary and community organisations via one-to-one support, events, networks, training, mentoring and membership;

l Reaching out to more than 500 groups in the area to build relationships and introduce their support offer;

l organising 16 Adur and Worthing-based learning workshops on topics including funding, governance and social prescribing.

One group that has directly benefited is Worthing Counselling Centre which provides high-quality, low-cost counselling to people who could not otherwise afford it.