Chesham House

Support our work in West Sussex.

A Royal Voluntary Service volunteer supporting an older man wearing an oxygen mask while on a walk

Help us deliver life-changing support when it matters most

Royal Voluntary Service (previously WVS and then WRVS) has supported the people of West Sussex in various ways since 1959. Through delivering Meals on Wheels (which later became our Lunch Club service) to Community Transport and Befriending – our staff and volunteers have been on hand to help and support local people for over 65 years.

And our central hub – Chesham House – is right at the heart of the work we do, providing a warm, safe space for the community to come together and support each other.

Without our services, many people in our community would struggle to cope alone. Through their battles with illness, disability, mental health or loneliness, so many people tell us that without our help, they just couldn’t survive.

"Before Royal Voluntary Service, my life was so lonely. I live on my own and can’t drive, so I truly felt like I had nothing to live for. Joining the RVS lunch club has given me a reason to get out of the house and feel part of something. It’s completely changed my life."

Rose, Lunch Club client

From Chesham House, Royal Voluntary Service offers a Community Centre and Vintage Tea Room, the Adur and Worthing Transport Service, The Lancing Dementia Support Group, and The Good Neighbours Scheme. We’re also able to link with national Royal Voluntary Services such as Calls with Care, and the Virtual Village Hall.

The work we do in local communities is life-changing, but none of it is possible without donations from people like you.

Adur and Worthing Voluntary Transport

Our Transport Service operates from offices located in Chesham House and they have provided assisted journeys to help locals retain their independence for over 15 years. Our volunteer drivers and office team help hundreds of people get to vital medical appointments, do their shopping, and meet friends & family.

Our volunteers provide a door-to-door service, and the drivers stays with clients for up to 90 minutes if required, offering companionship and reassurance as well as assistance at hospitals and with shopping.

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A Royal Voluntary Service driving volunteer helping an older lady in to a car

Dementia Support

Our Dementia Support Group is run out of Chesham House and supports residents of West Sussex living with dementia, and their carers.

The groups meet regularly to undertake person-centred activities suited to those who are living with dementia, such as memory games, singing, and peer support sessions.

The Dementia Support group also offer additional activities such as Move It or Lose It sessions, which comprise of chair-based exercise classes delivered by the Dementia Support Team and volunteers, all of whom have undertaken specialised training in this field.

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Two older men enjoying a conversation at a community lunch club run by Royal Voluntary Service Volunteers

Community Companions

In West Sussex, the Good Neighbours service is delivered in partnership with Community Transport Sussex (CTS), MIND, and AgeUK Brighton & Hove – all working together to help to reduce social isolation.

This partnership provides joined-up support to the community of West Sussex with a view to reducing the feelings of social isolation. The service aims to increase social contact, improve health & wellbeing, promote choice & independence, and enable people to build self-confidence. The service can also link people with other organisations across West Sussex or nationally that provide advice, support, and activities.

The support is always tailored to individual needs but often involves helping someone to access or attend a club or group, accompanying people on short walks or outings, assisting with shopping, or helping people meet up with or make new friends.

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A Royal Voluntary Service volunteer delivering a prescription to someone at their home...

Chesham House

Chesham House, our local community hub, is a vintage tearoom which sells coffee, cake & other light snacks, and doubles as an activity centre. Chesham House is provided for the community by Royal Voluntary Service, delivered by a small team of staff and a group of wonderful volunteers.

Chesham House has strong links with the local community and is often used as a welcoming space by local community groups to provide somewhere they can access to socialise with their clients. The centre holds regular Lunch Groups at reasonable prices to assist with the current cost of living crisis, whilst providing a safe, warm, and friendly place to be.

Chesham House also lends support to other partner organisations such as Age UK, who regularly make use of the office space, which in turns fosters great working relationships, and adds to the information and support on offer to residents.

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An exercise group for older people run by volunteers at Chesham House Community Centre

How your donation could help

Lunch - £5

A gift of £5 could cover the cost of a hot, nutritious lunch for an isolated older or vulnerable person our volunteer-run lunch club in Chesham House. This could give someone the only opportunity to eat a meal in the company of others this week.

Vital Community Transport - £10

A gift of £10 could help us to safely transport local people to and from their vital medical appointments at hospitals and surgeries. Often this is to receive life-saving treatments.

Home Visit - £20

A gift of £10 could help us to send a volunteer to visit someone at home – someone who has become isolated & alone and is in desperate need of support.

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A Royal Voluntary Service volunteer laughing with a man while walking with a stick

Dementia Support - £40

A gift of £40 could help towards the cost of a support session for someone living with dementia at one of our specialist groups.

Welfare Call Package - £52

A gift of £52 could cover the cost of a welfare call package from a trained volunteer to someone who is isolated, alone, and struggling with loneliness. Our Calls with Care service gives people the chance to talk to someone and offers comfort and reassurance that help is on hand if needed.

Support Recovery at Home - £72

A gift of £72 could help support someone returning home from hospital alone with ongoing visits, food shopping, and prescription collections and deliveries. Our vital support allows patients to continue their recovery at home instead of having prolonged stays in hospital.

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