Local Community Groups
Volunteering is one of the ways to get involved with a local Community Association or group.
If you can’t find a Community Group in your local area listed below, are interested in setting one up or becoming a representative for your neighbourhood, please contact the Tenant Participation Team using the contact details at the bottom of the page for advice, support and further information.
The Alderbrook Community Association welcomes all residents of the Alderbrook area. We work to improve services and facilities for all residents. More information can be found on the Alderbrook Community Association Website or on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AlderbrookCA
The Alderbrook Community Association meet at quarterly at:
St Richards Hall,
Fermor Rd,
Crowborough
TN6 3AP
We also hold quarterly Estate Walkabouts involving WDC, Local Councillors, Estate Wardens and any residents who wish to attend. These Walkabouts help identify any issues which need action.
Date for both the Meetings and Walkabouts can be found on our social media.
To find out more about the Alderbrook Community Association, or to get involved, contact the Secretary info@alderbrookonline.co.uk
The Ridge Community Association represents all residents from The Ridge in Groombridge. The group hold regular social events and have recently taken over management of the Green.
To find out more visit the Ridge Community Association website , or if you are interested in getting involved, email the Tenant Participation Team below.
Representing the residents of School Lane, Hadlow Down, this small Community Association are currently managing a Community Garden. Further information regarding this and other projects can be found on the School Lane Community website .
For information on meeting dates and venues, email the secretary info@slaneca.org.uk
The Town Farm Residents Association serves the largest estate in the Wealden District. The group have successfully worked with Wealden District Council and other partner agencies to deliver large community projects including the Town Farm Play Area in 2009, Tony Tack Memorial Skate Park in 2012, and setting up the Young Farmers Youth Club, which runs in the Maurice Thornton Pavilion. The Association have previously run community events and outings, and organised community clear-up days. In 2011 they signed a Partnership Agreement, which is currently being reviewed, with Wealden District Council and other statutory partners.
Meetings
The Town Farm Residents Association meet the first Tuesday of each month at:
Hailsham East Community Centre
Orion Close,
Hailsham
BN27 2JZ
To find out more about the Town Farm Residents Association, or to get involved, contact the Tenant Participation Team.
The Unity Community Association represents residents from:
- Leeves Way
- Leeves Close
- Thorny Close
- Waldron Thorns
- Newnham Way
The Community Association have worked in partnership with Wealden District and Heathfield Parish Council to develop and improve the Leeves Common Play Area, which was completed in 2011. They are currently working on a Community Garden, which they manage.
The Unity Community Garden was completed and has been up and running since 2007. It is now widely used by the Local Community.
For more information please contact the tenant engagement team:
Email: tenant.participation@wealden.gov.uk
The Jarvis Brook Community Association works to improve the facilities and services on the Jarvis Brook Estate, working in partnership with local agencies on schemes and projects. In 2012 these partner agencies signed the Jarvis Brook Neighbourhood Agreement .
The Community Association secured £160,000 of funding and investment to redevelop the Jarvis Brook recreation ground. They are currently developing on an ambitious project to provide a small Community Hub on the recreation ground.
Meetings
The Jarvis Brook Community Association meet on the second Wednesday of each month at:
The Scout and Guide Hut,
Crowborough Hill,
Jarvis Brook,
Crowborough
Visit the Jarvis Brook Community Association Facebook Page for further information, or email the Secretary jarvisbrookca@gmail.com
The Church Coombe Community Association represents residents from the largest estate in Uckfield covering:
- The Drive
- The Mount
- Manor Way
- Manor End Manor Close
- Lealands Drive
- Uplands Close
- Crown Close
- Cambridge Close
- Claremont Rise
The Association is focusing on environmental improvements and building on community sprit in the area.
Meetings
The Community Association meets on the second Thursday of each month in the lounge of:
Margaret House;
Lealands Drive,
Uckfield,
East Sussex
TN22 2AG.
For more information or if you would like to get involved contact the Tenant Participation Team.
The New Town Action Group represents residents from:
- Vernon Road
- Vernon Close
- Selby Rise
- Selby Gardens
- Selby Close
- Harcort Road
- Keld Close
The group have achieved several environmental improvement projects, including managing Selby Meadow a communal green space; on the estate. The group organises regular community events such as Halloween parties, barbeques, seed planting and carol singing.
Meetings
The New Town Action Group meet the first Wednesday of each month at:
The Alma Arms,
Framfield Road,
Uckfield,
TN22 5AJ
For more information or if you would like to get involved contact Tenant Participation Team.
UCKFIELD MEN’S SHED PRESENT A MUD KITCHEN TO SELBY MEADOW COMMUNITY GARDEN
At the beginning of March 2022 a group of men from the Uckfield Shed presented a large mud kitchen to Velda Reed and Belinda Anscombe from the Selby Meadow Community Garden for the use of the local children.
The kitchen had been made by Kevin Sayers, with some help from other shedders, out of recycled materials. This was another community project completed by the Shed along with a prop for the forthcoming Uckfield Theatre Guild production, a tawny owl box for the Uckfield Ranger and a bookcase for Buxted Bowls Club.
The Shed is in full swing now, opening on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with members completing their own projects and contributing items for sale online and at forthcoming fetes.
We are still looking for new members. Men’s Sheds are about social connections and friendship building, avoiding isolation, improving mental health, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter.
If anyone would like to join the Shed or find out more about what it has to offer contact Chris at uckfieldmensshed@gmail.com.
SWEET SUCCESS FOR SELBY MEADOW RESIDENT GROUP
Last year for the first time we were able to offer fresh honey for sale produced by Sharon’s bees. The bees collected nectar from a range of trees, shrubs and flowers in the meadow and surrounding gardens. We hope to add more plants this year which, with our policy of zero chemicals and wildlife friendly (gardening) should help them produce more delicious and healthy honey this season.
Annual feedback on C&E projects we have funded
Community and Environmental (C&E) funding is provided for projects that will make improvements to the environment or community facilities on Wealden District Council (WDC) Housing Estates or Retirement Living Courts. Each year we set aside £15,000 from the rents that we receive to fund these projects. The list below outlines the projects we have funded during 2024-25:
- Games tables at Cherry Tree Court
- Laptop at Fazan Court.
Improvements to the Bowling Green and a Smart TV and at Joan Hughes Court.
Fencing for the communal garden at Hadlow Down.
New garden beds and communal garden repairs at Heathfield.
Smart TV, soundbar and Hi-Fi at Church Bailey Court.
Dishwasher and garden furniture at Grants Hill Court.
Smart TV and soundbar at Rumsey Court.
Sports and catering equipment at Mary Burfield Court.
If you have any ideas for projects where you live speak to your Resident Group if there is one, if not please contact us.
Social Value
The Procurement Act only applies to public sector bodies but under Section 12 of the Procurement Act 2023, contracting authorities must “have regard to the importance of maximising public benefit” when awarding contracts.
This represented a major shift from the Social Value Act 2012, which only required authorities to “consider” Social Value.
But what is social value?
Social value refers to the benefits provided by the company/sole trader providing goods or services to public body, which is not part of the contract but provided for free in addition to the contracted and paid for works/services.
There are no definitions of what these “benefits” should be therefore as part of a procurement exercise these will be considered when awarding any contract.
How is Social Value delivered?
Social value is delivered to our tenants and leaseholders and our estates by the contracts funded by the rents that we collect to deliver works and services. For example Booker & Best as our repairs contractor and Osborne Energy who are carrying out energy efficiency works to our properties.
What social value has been delivered through the Housing Services contractors this financial year?
During 2024-25 the following were delivered:
- A number of Solar lighting projects where there was limited street lighting by Osborne Energy.
- Work at woodland in Queens cottages, Wadhurst including putting in steps and a temporary bridge to enable the site to be cleared by volunteers. Untaken by Booker & Best.
- Osborne Energy website developed for our residents Wealden District Council and Osborne Energy This recently launched website contains lots of useful information including advice and energy saving information.
- Caring callers project – BSW. Targeted telephone service to check on residents to see if they had any repairs or needed support/advice or a referral for issues such as fuel poverty, fire safety or energy efficiency.
- Handypersons scheme – Booker & Best. The service undertakes small/odd jobs for free for eligible tenants (elderly and disabled) when referred by a member of the housing service.
- Energy Efficiency Handyperson Scheme – Osborne Energy. When referred by a member of the housing service tenants/leaseholders can access energy advice, LED light bulbs and radiator heat reflectors.
Other activities carried out by our contractors – includes Roselands, BSW, Booker & Best , Bartholomews, Osborne Energy include:
- Osborne Energy – Wider support to the community through assisting in benefit out reach sessions, donations of sports equipment and donations to local charities.
- Osborne Energy – Specific projects including the provision of garden furniture to a retirement living court, the construction of a herb garden at a temporary accommodation unit, and small electrical items recycling provision at our retirement living courts.
- Osborne Energy – Work experience for school leavers and taster sessions for potential job seekers.