Making it Happen is about discovering, celebrating and building on the positive things in our local neighbourhoods. We are here to support communities to come together, make the most of the opportunities and create positive change.

The ABC’s of Making it Happen:

• Acting on what matters
• Believing in better
• Celebrating success

We use an Asset Based approach to working with communities:
‘Asset-based community development begins with the gifts of people and their capacity to organise to create the world they want to see’ (ABCD Institute).”

What are we doing?

We believe that everyone has skills and talents to offer their community. When these skills and talents are shared, the community thrives and becomes stronger.

Local people are coming together to:

• Share stories & celebrate successes
• Work together to improve their local environment
• Take positive action to create healthier communities

We can help by:

• Supporting people to tell their stories
• Connecting groups, spaces and opportunities that already exist
• Working with people to find strengths, build confidence & add more to their community
• Awarding small grants to kick start an idea

Who will be working in your neighbourhood?

Five organisations will be working in 16 areas across the county. These areas have been chosen because while they may face some challenges, there are also plenty of strengths and opportunities

Action in rural Sussex are covering the following areas:

Uckfield  – in particular Uckfield North and Churchcombe

Crowborough  – in particular Alderbrook

Polegate – especially the area around the library

Hailsham – in particular Hailsham East and Town Farm

Small Sparks Grants

These small grants are for individuals and groups in the Making it Happen areas to turn good ideas into reality, or they can be used to support a great project or enable an existing group to become stronger.

If you live in Crowborough, Hailsham, Polegate or Uckfield especially,
then we’d love to talk. Please get in touch at
airsvillageagents@ruralsussex.org.uk

Click on the links below for our Making it Happen partners covering Rother, Hastings, Eastbourne and Lewes District

Rother – Central and Sackville, Eastern Rother, St Michaels and Sidley: Rother Voluntary Action
Hastings – Greater Hollington and Castle: Hastings Voluntary Action
Eastbourne – Shinewater, Hampden Park and Willingdon Trees: 3VA
Lewes District – Newhaven Valley, Peacehaven West and Peacehaven North East: Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA).