On to pastures new …

We are pleased to have received funding from the Government and awarded by ESCC. 

The funding is for capital investment in our skills and employability jobs fairs and services, predominantly to be delivered in Bexhill on Sea, in Rother District. This funding will improve jobseekers’ and exhibitors’ experience of attending the Bexhill jobs fair scheduled to take place in February 2025. The kit will also enhance the pre and post administration of the event. The new technology will further support our engagement at the Apprenticeship Roadshow in Bexhill in March 2025.

The Skills Capital Fund is being managed by East Sussex County Council on behalf of Rother District Council and Hastings Borough Council and is part of funding allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government under the previous Government.

Over 100 jobseekers attended our recent event and connected with over 20 employers and support organisations. Many thanks to Eastbourne Borough Council for hosting us at the Town Hall.

The Home Office is replacing physical immigration documents with digital proof of immigration status, called an eVisa. Anyone who currently uses a physical immigration document to evidence their immigration rights in the UK and who does not already have a UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) account will need to take action to access their eVisa.

If an individual currently proves their immigration status using a biometric residence permit (BRP) or has indefinite leave to enter or remain and uses a passport containing an ink-stamp or visa vignette sticker, they will need to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. They have to do this even if they have recently applied to renew their visa, or their BRP. Any BRP customer who has immigration leave that expires before 31 December 2024, but plans to remain in the UK, should seek to extend their visa in the usual way.

If they have a biometric residence card (BRC) and hold status under the EU Settlement Scheme, then they will not need to take any action, other than keeping their UKVI account up to date with their latest passport and contact details.

The move to an eVisa will not impact on an individual’s underlying status.

We are pleased to have received funding from the UK Government to help people across East Sussex to set up and access their UKVI account and to support them in using their eVisa.

We joined forces with Wealden District Council providing opportunities for ex-military veterans and jobseekers to meet potential employers and advice agencies.

we were pleased to welcome Lucinda Fraser DL, High Sheriff of East Sussex to our offices on 3rd July. We heard about her role and contacts across East Sussex and talked to her about our services and challenges.

… this year’s winners of  our friendly competition to find the fastest sorter of good and not so good things to do in interviews. … was Chailey school in a time of 11.04 seconds. Congratulations.

… on the eve of the 2nd anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine, the BBC visited our office and interviewed our very own Olena about her experience of relocating to the UK and Eastbourne.

Our own Keith and Olena were pleased to be invited to attend the recent Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce European Movement Dinner at the Hydro Hotel, where the guest speaker was Mr Eduard Fesko, Head of Mission at the Ukrainian Embassy in London. Mr Fesko spoke about how the war in Ukraine is progressing and what the future holds in Europe.

Over 70 jobseekers and 18 exhibitors attended our Moving on Up – Opening Doors jobs fair event in Bexhill. Thanks to The Pelham for hosting us and thanks to all those who supported the event.

Over 80 jobseekers and 27 exhibitors attended our jobs fair event at Denton Island, Newhaven. Thanks to SCDA for hosting us and thanks to all those who supported the event.

Over 100 jobseekers and 20 exhibitors braved the weather and attended our jobs fair event at Eastbourne Town Hall. Thanks to Eastbourne Borough Council for hosting us and thanks to all those who supported the event.

… a lovely end to our 25th Anniversary year saw two of our longstanding volunteers attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of our Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Colin and Ray mixed and mingled with Royalty and other guests at the event. And even managed a quick word with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

… supporting individuals in rural Rother at the Burwash Pop-Up Advice Clinic. Initial discussions on how we can help jobseekers from the community and completing registration forms.

… we could say that in October our People Matter Paper People have been flying off the shelves … or rather, sponsorship has taken off and now almost 1/3 of the 16,000 Paper People have been sponsored with a smile … these are now being proudly displayed around the office walls.

If you would like to sponsor a paperchain person or a group of paperchain people (£1 per smile!), please visit our office to add your own smile, or use our ‘donate’ button, put ‘Paperchain People’ in the comment box and we can add smiles on your behalf.

… we now find ourselves 6 months in to our 25th Anniversary year.

In September, we held a very special anniversary dinner and fund raising auction which included a range of unique lots. As well as a sumptuous meal, we were also treated to an informal interview with a couple of former clients – one of whom is now an Oscar winning actress, and the other is now a presenter and reporter for the BBC. And we had a visit from a real life paper person!

Such a good evening was had by all, that none of us remembered to take any photos! … but here’s a montage of the special display commemorating our anniversary year and including our special guests and the random paper person … can you work out who’s who?

… to the Rotary Club of Eastbourne for their generous donation. Graham Marsden, President handing the cheque to our CEO Ann Gillard.

… well, what a month August was for sponsoring People Matter Paper People … thanks to the kind generosity of sponsors, Billy is happy with his new found friends … and there are more Paper People positioned around the office who have been kindly sponsored. Many thanks to you all. If you would like to sponsor a paperchain person or a group of paperchain people (£1 per smile!), please visit our office to add your own smile, or use our ‘donate’ button, put ‘Paperchain People’ in the comment box and we can add smiles on your behalf.

… well, what a month July turned out to be. The third month in our anniversary year started with a Civic Reception at Eastbourne Town Hall attended by well over 100 current and former team members and invited guests for the presentation of our Queens Award for Voluntary Service. In mid-July, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, we were treated to a scrumptious lunch hosted by Amanda and Keith Ridley in their beautiful garden overlooking Friston forest.

And finally, we’re very grateful to St Elisabeth’s Church family who have kindly sponsored a whole host of our paper chain people. If you would like to sponsor a paperchain person or a group of paperchain people (£1 per smile!), please visit our office to add your own smile, or use our ‘donate’ button, put ‘Paperchain People’ in the comment box and we can add smiles on your behalf.

We’re now looking forward to the summer and into September to our Anniversary dinner and fundraising auction. If you would like to come along to the dinner on Thursday 15 September, please contact Sue Fifield by email: suefifield@people-matter.org.uk

… a video taster of the presentation of our award – the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by HM Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman to our CEO, Ann Gillard … and a longer presentation here

… month 2 of our 25th anniversary year and we’re still celebrating the news, earlier this month, that we have been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – more on this next month when we’ll share pictures from the presentation of the award.

Meanwhile, we’ve been planted!

Many thanks to Lewes and Eastbourne Councils for including us in their planting scheme this year. You can find us in the Carpet and Seafront gardens to the west of the main garden, facing towards the pier.

And if you’d like to sponsor a paperchain person or a group of paperchain people (£1 per smile!), please visit our office to add your own smile, or use our ‘donate’ button, put ‘Paperchain People’ in the comment box and we can add smiles on your behalf.

We are delighted and thrilled that we have been awarded the UK’s highest volunteer accolade by the Queen herself – the QAVS – the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

On hearing the news, Ann Gillard (our CEO) said “For our volunteers today and for all those who have been part of our wonderful team on its 25 year journey, this is the ultimate recognition. What a very special chapter to be writing in our anniversary year.”

We have supported some 16,000 jobseekers towards employment through our career information, advice and guidance services. During our 25 years, we have constantly evolved to meet the changing needs of the jobs market. Through the Covid pandemic we supported more people than ever by operating remotely. Now we are embracing refugees, those in temporary homes, ex-offenders and veterans.

The QAVS is equivalent to an MBE recognising outstanding work by local volunteer-led groups to benefit their communities. We look forward to receiving our crystal award and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman, at a ceremony later this summer; and two volunteers will attend a Buckingham Palace garden party next year.

Meanwhile, we are also planning a number of celebrations and events to mark our 25^th anniversary year and this award certainly crowns our special year.

… we’re one month in to our 25th anniversary year and plans for events and activities are well underway.

Meanwhile, we’ve started offering sponsorship of our Paperchain People – each paperchain person represents one of the 16,000 clients that we have helped in our 25 years. During this year, we will be displaying the paperchain people around our office walls. So far we have raised over £120. If you would like to sponsor a paperchain person or a group of paperchain people (£1 per smile!), please visit our office to add your own smile, or use our ‘donate’ button, put ‘Paperchain People’ in the comment box and we can add smiles on your behalf.

… we were pleased to be part of the Big Futures Show 2022. Many students were keen to test their skills in sorting interview tips and hints. Claverham CC had the speediest student at 10.13 seconds. Well done to all who took part.

… on Monday 25th April, we started our year of celebrations for our 25th anniversary!

On 29th March, 30 employers and exhibitors set up ‘shop’ at the Eastbourne Town Hall and close to 200 jobseekers attended across the day. There was a real buzz around the exhibition halls and a great deal of engagement between jobseekers, support agencies and employers. We’ve already heard of successful matches between candidates and employers from this event. In the coming weeks, we will be continuing to support clients into work and to support employers in filling their vacancies. We will also continue to build on the new partnerships forged in putting this event together and look forward to progressing and making a difference to the local employment scene.

Read our latest news in our NEWSLETTER August 2021

Former Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Steve Wallis presented us with a cheque for £15,560 from his fundraising events. This was a fantastic amount as he was unable to hold any events during the pandemic. We are truly grateful for this sum which will support our work.

We were pleased to receive a visit from Deputy Lieutenant John Smith JP DL. He came with a message of thanks from Her Majesty The Queen for our work in supporting our local community during the Covid-19 Pandemic.