News and events

New England Wood Trust (NEWT) was formed in 1980 to raise money to buy New England Wood on the edge of Cuckfield, and to look after it as a nature reserve for the benefit of the people of the village. They recently reached agreement to buy the 12-acre plot running from the east edge of New England Wood up to the end of Cherry Tree Cottages (shown in red on the map). This land has some areas which are quite different to anything in the existing wood  (e.g., long-term grassland, a north-facing slope, emerging oak woodland). The trustees agreed that buying the land would be aligned with the charity’s mission to turn it into a managed nature reserve for the community’s benefit.

NEWT is appealing to the people of Cuckfield to help raise a total of £215K to cover all the costs to complete the purchase. They have secured much of the funding from grants and generous private donations, but they need some more help to get it over the line.

The quickest way is to donate on their Just Giving campaign page where you can also add Gift Aid to your donation.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/extend-our-wood

Their website also gives more information about the project, along with bank details for those who would prefer to make a bank transfer.

www.cuckfieldwoodlanders.com/expansion-project 

 

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Newt A5 20251027 103015 0000	(PDF)

West Sussex County Council has launched a new initiative to deliver earlier, more effective psychological support for children, young people, and families. 

The county council’s new Psychological Hub aims to help families stay together, support children through complex emotional and mental health challenges. It will bring together expert services under one umbrella and create safe, nurturing environments where every child can thrive. 

The Psychological Hub unites a range of previously independent specialist services under one psychology-led leadership team and is accessed via healthcare referrals. This integrated model ensures that support is timely, coordinated, and tailored to individual needs. The hub will also feature therapy pods based at County Hall North in Horsham, providing dedicated spaces for therapeutic work in a calm and welcoming setting.  

At its heart, the hub brings together two key support areas: 

Restore, offering psychologically informed support and interventions for children and families, helping: 

• Families stay together or reunite when safe to do so. 

• Children with special educational needs and disabilities who are at risk of school placement breakdown or hospitalisation due to mental health needs. 

• Children experiencing, self-harm, or mental health conditions that may lead to hospitalisation. 

• Children displaying harmful behaviours. 

Attach, providing specialist psychological support for: 

• Children in care and care leavers. 

• Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. 

• Families in kinship arrangements, where children are cared for by someone they know and trust. 

Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This new hub is about hope, healing, and helping children thrive. By bringing together expert services, we’re creating a more joined-up, responsive system that puts the emotional wellbeing of children and families front and centre. It’s an example of our ongoing efforts to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people, ensuring that psychological support is accessible, coordinated, and impactful so that every child can reach their full potential. 

“Working collaboratively with social workers, schools, and other professionals, the Psychological Hub reflects our commitment to putting children first and at the heart of everything we do.” 

For more information, visit the Psychological Hub’s dedicated webpage.

For further information please contact the news desk on 0330 222 8090 or email [email protected]. For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415.

Sunday, 30 November 2025, 09:00

Beach House Grounds, Worthing, Worthing, BN11 2EJ View Map
We're excited to bring you West Sussex Mind's Mental Elf 2025 fun run and walk

Worthing seafront, from Splash Point to Grand Avenue and back

Join us dressed as festive elves. Individuals, families, teams, wheelchairs, pushchairs and even dogs are welcome!
We are pleased to announce we have Olympic Champion, Sally Gunnell OBE opening the event
Bespoke environmentally friendly medal for every elf taking part
A National Trust family pass for 2 adults and up to 6 children (valid from 29th November 2025 until 27th March 2026)
Fantastic running/walking experience with well-being boosts and the best cheers in West Sussex
Most importantly, that feel good feeling that comes from supporting your local mental health charity

Fore more information or to sign up: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/MentalElf2025

To read all the up and coming events please read our newsletter:

Cuckfield Parish Council November Newsletter

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Advent Trail Map 2025	(PDF)