12 Days of Giving: Worthing Heat Network Supports the Local Community Over the Festive Season

This holiday season, the Worthing Heat Network has helped bring the community together with 12 days of local initiatives, funded through its Community Fund.

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting Worthing, the Worthing Heat Network has marked the festive season with a series of community-focused initiatives.

Spreading Festive Cheer

Worthing Heat Network was proud to sponsor the Worthing Council Christmas Tree, lighting up the high street for residents and visitors, and backed the discounted parking initiative from Worthing Borough Council and Worthing Town Centre BID, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the town’s shops, cafés, restaurants, and events throughout December. This support included running a radio campaign with MoreRadio to promote the town as a great place to spend the day over Christmas.

Backing Local Charities

Supporting the local community during the holiday season was a key focus. The Heat Network donated blankets to Worthing Foodbank for their Christmas hampers, which are bringing some festive warmth to families in need this winter. Donations also included sponsorship of the Mencap Buddies Christmas Raffle, which raised nearly £4,000 for people with learning disabilities and their families across Worthing. Support was also extended to:

• The Superstar Arts Christmas Raffle, championing inclusive arts opportunities;
• The Sight Support Worthing Christmas Cracker event, providing festive entertainment for visually impaired residents;
• The Samaritans Outreach team at Worthing Station, part of the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign promoting mental health support.

Empowering the Next Generation

Worthing Heat Network has also focused on opening doors and inspiring young people into careers in the energy sector. Earlier this Autumn, staff spoke with students at the Davison High School for Girls and St Andrew’s High School Futures Fairs, showcasing career opportunities in construction and sustainable energy. Operations Manager Nathanael Hayden had the pleasure to run a ‘build your own heat network’ workshop with Worthing 1^st Scouts Group, teaching young people about delivering low carbon infrastructure. And in December, Project Manager Chris Horner returned to his former school, Worthing High School, to share insights from his school days and career, where he encouraged year 9 students to consider a future in the energy sector.

Celebrating Veterans

Supporting Worthing’s veterans and older residents was another highlight. At the start of the festive season, the Network donated to the Worthing Poppy Appeal, providing a new gazebo for its remembrance event outside the Guildbourne Centre.

The programme of support also included the Care for Veterans Christmas Party raffle and sponsorship of the Care for Veterans Christmas Carol Concert at Lancing College Chapel, an uplifting afternoon bringing together veterans, their loved ones, and the wider community.

The Worthing Heat Network will provide greener, cheaper heating to homes, businesses, and public buildings across the town. Through its Community Fund, the project continues to invest in local people, places, and partnerships, ensuring that the benefits of the network extend beyond infrastructure and into the heart of the community. Community groups interested in applying for funding, materials, or volunteer hours are encouraged to contact worthing@hemiko.com for further details.

Happy holidays from everyone at the Worthing Heat Network.

Chris Horner, Worthing Heat Network Project Manager, said:

“From supporting local charities to lighting up the High Street, these 12 days of activity show how the Worthing Heat Network delivers real benefits to the town, its residents, and its future talent. We’re proud to invest in our community this festive season and beyond.”

Melanie Peters, Director at Rocket Social Media said:

“Working with Worthing Heat Network has been incredibly rewarding. Distributing funds to local causes and charities has made a real difference in our community, and we’re proud to have supported such meaningful work alongside a group that truly cares about Worthing’s people and places.”