Forthcoming BUCFP Monthly Wednesday Workshops

To confirm a place on any workshop please email Mary on

workshops@bucfp.org

with your name, postcode and the name of the workshop you would like to attend.

🎃 October NOW FULL

Halloween Family Arts & Crafts – with Mary & Veronika

  • Date: Wednesday, October 28 10.30-12.30

  • Cost: FREE

  • What: A fun, creative workshop designed for families to enjoy arts and crafts together.

🔥 November 11th 10.30-12.30

Preventing Fuel Poverty: Free Advice & Support – 

  • Partners: BHESCo / LEAP / Energy Works

  • The Facts: Around 16,000 households in Brighton & Hove struggle to afford heat and power costs.

  • How BHESCo helps:

    • Gives personalized energy-saving advice

    • Installs free energy-saving measures

    • Helps you access grants and vouchers to pay for energy bills

    • Mindful Colouring and refreshments with Mary & Claire

🎄 December 9th 10.30-12-30

Christmas Connection  - Social Prescribing 

  • Partner: Together Co

  • What: Discover ways to combat isolation, connect with your community, and find local support this winter. 

  • Joy will give an overview of support available from BUCFP

  • Refreshments and crafts

  • Make a Winter, Christmas wreath


💪 January 13th or 20th 10.30-12.30

Get Fit & Healthy for Free. Also learn how to make a healthy snack for low cost at the workshop with Carol.

  • Partner: Healthy Lifestyles Team (Brighton & Hove City Council)

  • What: Free support to help you make positive, lasting health choices, including:

    • Healthy weight and nutrition

    • Support to stop smoking

    • Guidance on drinking less alcohol

  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  • Contact: 📞 01273 294589 | 


To confirm a place on any workshop please email Mary on

workshops@bucfp.org

with your name, postcode and the name of the workshop you would like to attend.





FREE HELP WITH ENERGY BILLS

FREE HELP WITH ENERGY BILLS

Come along for free information, advice and support.

11 November

10:30am-12:30pm

BUCFP

6 Tilbury Place Brighton BN2 0GY 01273 601211

Get free one-to-one advice from BHESCo and LEAP.

Save energy and reduce bills

Get free energy-saving items for your home

- Find grants and vouchers to help pay energy bills

Around 16,000 households in Brighton & Hove struggle to afford heating and electricity.

FREE REFRESHMENTS

Stay afterwards to meet people, do crafts and enjoy refreshments.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Email Mary with your name and postcode: 

workshops@bucfp.org

AGM 2026

Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project

The last two years

  • Our charity, like many others, has had a very difficult time financially. 

  • We were spending more money than we were receiving, costs kept going up.

  • Our financial deficit was: 

    • April 2025: -£29,435 

    • April 2026: -£29,614 

  • We were worried that the centre might have to close. 

  • We even started planning a "Save Our Centre" campaign. 

🎉 🎉 The Good News! 🎉 🎉

Everything has changed

After more than 2 years of planning and hard work, competing against lots of other charities, we were recently successful in receiving a large

“National Lottery Community Fund Grant” 

This means:

  • Our centre is safe and secure for at least the next 3 years. 

  • We can continue supporting local families and individuals. 

  • We can improve our building and services. 

  • We can plan for the future with confidence. 

Building Closure

Now we have a secure future we want to give the building a bit of love. 

The Centre will be closed from Thursday 20th Aug to Tuesday 1st Sept 2026.

During this time we will: 

Deep clean the building

Carry out maintenance

Have a good clear out

Plan for new activities, education and support

Make improvements ready for reopening


For any questions about this funding or our finances please speak to Lisa 

June Update

Well that was a hot one. We’ve had lots of things going on in the centre, allotment and playroom. Veronika has been busy making sure all the children are helping out the wildlife with feeding as well as making sure all the vegetables and plants have been watered. The children love tending to all things nature.

Nurse Joanne had her last session with us this month, we are hoping she comes to us again, if you would like more sessions like this please let us know.

This month Marie Curie held a life cafe here at the centre, staff took part to see what it was about and we would be interested to hold more if there's interest.

We still have vape packs available, please let staff know if you would like one. We just need a few details and permission to contact you to see how you are getting on with giving up smoking.

Remember it's our AGM on Friday the 3rd July, everyone is welcome to attend, you can join up for membership on the day.


Please note – the centre will be closed on 10th July all day, this is because we have the annual volunteer celebration.

🌼 May at BUCFP – What a Month! 🌼

Was May hot enough for you? ☀️ We’ve had a brilliant and busy month at BUCFP, with lots going on in and around the centre.

🩺 Health Checks with Joanne

We were delighted to welcome Joanne, our community nurse, who carried out free health checks. These sessions helped spot things like high blood pressure, cholesterol concerns, and other heart-related issues.
Good news – Joanne is happy to come back in June! If you’d like an appointment, please let a member of staff know.

🥕 Community Kitchen Visit

We also welcomed the Community Kitchen team from the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership. They shared handy nutrition tips and basic food preparation skills – and best of all, everyone went home with a freebie! 🎁

🚭 Vaping Support Scheme

The centre has been chosen to take part in a new scheme offering vapes to regular smokers as an alternative to smoking.
Please see Joy or Claire in the office to collect your pack while stocks last. All we ask is a little feedback after 4 weeks.

💻 CV Workshop – Get Job Ready!

Our brilliant IT volunteer James will be running a CV workshop on 26th June. If you’d like to take part, pop into the office to put your name down ✍️

🎉 Volunteer Celebration Day

Just a reminder that the centre will be closed on Friday 10th July so we can celebrate our wonderful volunteers.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who gives their time – you are the heart of the centre 💖

Trustees Wanted Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project

Help lead a vital grassroots charity supporting people across Brighton.

The Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project (BUCFP) is seeking new Trustees to join our board and help guide the organisation as we continue to provide essential services to individuals and families facing hardship, poverty, and social exclusion.

About Us

We are a long-standing community organisation offering support, advice, food, and a welcoming space for those in need. Our work is rooted in dignity, inclusion, and practical help.

The Role of a Trustee

As a Trustee, you will play a key role in ensuring the charity is well-run, sustainable, and true to its mission.

Responsibilities include:

  • Providing strategic direction and oversight

  • Ensuring financial stability and accountability

  • Supporting good governance and compliance

  • Acting in the best interests of our beneficiaries

  • Contributing your skills, insight, and experience

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome people from all backgrounds. You don’t need prior trustee experience—just commitment and care for the community

We are especially interested in people with:

  • Legal or governance knowledge

  • HR, fundraising, or communications skills

  • Lived experience of the challenges our community faces

Why Join Us?

Make a real difference in people’s lives

Be part of a supportive and passionate team

Gain valuable experience in charity leadership

Help shape the future of an important local organisation