Barn Cottage

Update October 2025. Building exterior complete and interior work going on. £50k-£60k of equipment/fittings needed.

We are SO EXCITED that the exterior building construction has finshed and the contractors are working hard to get the interior ready with the aim of it being finished by Christmas. See below for pictures – for the very first time we can share a picture of the interior. Fundraising for the building itself, assuming no major fluctuations over the next few months, is now complete – thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has contributed. It really is a community effort which still will be here to provide Scouting and community services for our current Squirrels’ grandchildren! We are now fundraising for the equipment we need to make the building fit for its multiple purposes and currently estimate this at between £50k and £60k to get everything we need.

Donate here via JUST GIVING https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/barncottage

Update July 2025 – a roof in progress. £25k to go!

Massive THANK YOU to everyone who has given so far, we have such an amazing local community who are really getting behind this project. Walls are up and roof beams in place – we are so excited to be so close to our fundraising target. We now only need just over £25,000 to reach our goal to complete construction. Can you help us get this desperately needed community centre over the line so that we can open it in early 2026?

Donate here via JUST GIVING https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/barncottage

Update June 2025 – making progress

Steels are up and breeze blocks rising – we are so excited to be so close to our fundraising target. We now only need just over £36,000 to reach our goal and are VERY grateful to all those in our local community who have donated – THANK YOU ALL. Can you help us get this desperately needed community centre over the line so that we can open it in early 2026?

JUST GIVING https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/barncottage

Building our new home

Our group, the 5th Haywards Heath Scout, have come together with Mid Sussex District Scouts and The Bentswood Hub community centre to imagine an inspiring, practical and regenerative future for our community, a vision connecting nature, social wellbeing and local prosperity with significant impact for generations to come.

Positioned in the heart of the Bentswood area, our new Community Centre has the opportunity to kickstart much-needed social, economic and environmental regeneration in one of the communities in the region most in need of assistance.

This new multi-purpose building will mean we can deliver a programme of activities alongside a variety of local interest groups, giving them a dedicated place to meet, hold activities, and collaborate.

Our new centre will:

• Improve access and usage of the nearby nature reserve by providing a convenient meeting point, facilitating activities that connect people with the local environment, and creating a physical space for all groups to share their efforts with others.
• Create opportunities for ecological and sustainability initiatives (e.g. running citizen science biodiversity surveys), become a base to reboot groups such as Friends of Scrase Stream, and provide educational programs on everything from environmental to food related topics.
• Leverage the Scouts’ assets and expertise, such as rigorous safeguarding processes and trusted procedures, to help in bringing different parts of the community together more easily.
• Attract future external funding and partnerships as we continue to explore and demonstrate new ways to support community-focused projects and activities.

We believe this innovation collaboration can leverage the Scouts’ resources and expertise to help drive positive social and environmental impact in the local area.

Want to help with donations, fundraising, or helping us tell our story?

Please contact:
Mark Scholfield
District Lead Volunteer at Midsussex Scouts