About

About us

Henfield Social Enterprise was registered at Companies House as a Community Interest Company (CIC) on May 29th 2015.
A Community Interest Company is a not-for-profit, limited company, with special additional protections for the community. This form of company was created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not for private advantage.

The initial board of directors was formed largely from the members of Henfield Community Partnership. HCP initiated a feasibility study into the taking over of the Day Care Centre from West Sussex County Council early in 2014, following the Council's announcement that the Centre would be closed.

Anthony Druce, a retired lawyer, is the Company Secretary; Malcolm Eastwood, who for many years held senior positions at HSBC, was the initial Treasurer; Tony Jackson, Steve Bailey, Richard Kendall and Alison Vine formed the core of the HCP Day Centre project team; and Digby Stephenson, who was a Parish Councillor for 8 years, was elected as the first Company Chairman.

In 2015 HSECIC took on 25 year lease on the Haven's building and grounds from WSCC, and a contract to deliver high needs care services.

Richard and Alison then stepped down from the Board, and Dr Karen Crawford Clark joined the team. Vassos Siantonas took on the Treasurer's role in 2017, and Peter Sheppard & Emma Osman became trustees, following the retirement of Steve Bailey. Subsequently Joerg Schlueter and Russell Shaw came on board, and after almost 6 years of active involvement Malcolm stepped down in order to concentrate on chairing the Parish Council. Recently Vicky Pollitt joined the team and has taken over as Treasurer. In 2021, Mike Ainscough took on the role of creating and updating the website in consultation with Digby.

During the Covid lockdowns the Haven became the Operations Centre for the Henfield Helpline. Working with Henfield Parish Council, the Haven team coordinated nearly 300 volunteers who provided food deliveries, shopping, prescription collection, dog-walking and other assistance to over vulnerable 500 households in the local community, including Small Dole, Partridge Green, Woodmancote and Shermanbury.

In May 2019 the CIC converted to Henfield Haven Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Charity Number 1183669. A major benefit is that qualified donations can now attract Gift Aid. The directors of HSECIC became Trustees of HHCIO. Digby stayed on as the Chair of Trustees and is currently also CEO of Haven Operations.

Our charity number is: 1183669

The Charitable Objectives of HHCIO are:
“To manage The Henfield Haven as a community resource and to provide public benefit to those living and working in Henfield Parish and its surrounding communities in Sussex, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, race or political, religious or other opinions, through the provision of facilities and activities which will aid the advancement of health and well- being; the relief of the effects of disability and/or old age; the relief of those with caring responsibilities; and the promotion of volunteering.”