Catholic Association for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church.   It funds over 1000 projects in 75 countries and responds to emergency situations world wide.

Parish activities include support for Family Fast Days, organisations of montyhly collections for CAFOD's work in the Third World and many parishioners keep boxes at home for their spare change.

Link to CAFOD website:

Christian Aid

The local committee is ecumenical, most Churches in Burgess Hill being represented.    It meets four or five times a year to plan prayerfully the service and special events.   The annual Christian Aid week is in May, when envelopes are delivered to every house in town.   The money collected is sent to HQ for the Third World -mainly for self-help projects.   Volunteers are always needed for this collection and other occasional fund-raising events.

Link to Christian Aid website: 

Co-Workers of Mother Teresa

This is an ecumenical group providing practical and prayerful help to those less fortunate people overseas and an home.   The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 2.30 p.m. in the Priests House.

Credit Union

Yet another ecumenical initiative here in Burgess Hill.   A credit Union is a financial co-operative whose members have a common bond, for example they live in the same area, or share the same employer.   The activities of Credit Union are regulated by the Credit Unions Act 1979 and other legislation administered by the Registry of Friendly Societies.

The regular savings of members form a fund from which loans at a fair and reasonable rate of interest can be made to members.   The net annual surplus is distributed to members as a dividend   Members can also help in managing their financial affairs.

Life Group (Registered Charity 274144)

The Haywards Heath and District Life Group offers free pregnacy tests, confidential counselling, practical help and accommodation for women who find themselves pregnant in difficult circumstances.

There is a telephone helpline (01273 843367) from Monday to Saturday (12 noon to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)   Volunteers willing to be a "friendly voice" on this helpline, or people with counselling experience are always welcome.

New house visitors are also welcome to drop in and offer support to the residents of our Life House in Haywards Heath.

People can become Life Members and contribute an annual subscription to support this work financially, without playing any active role.

St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)

The SVP was founded in Paris in 1833 by a group of academics and students led by Frederic Ozanam, taking as their patrol the "Apostle of Charity" - St Vincent.    The first English Conference was set up in the 1840's and our own local group has been in operation continuously since 1957.

Our main work has always been the visitation of the elderly, sick and needy in their own homes.   Members, who are Christian men and women, try to make at least one visit per week, usually in pairs, and to attent the two-weekly planning meeting.    We are prepared to visit and help absolutely anyone who will welcome us.

Traidcraft

This organisation sells food and crafts, providing a market for small growers and craft-workers in developing countries.   It has been noticed that crafts do not sell well in St Wilfrid's, so sales are concentrated on food.   Other Churches in Burgess Hill and Keymer obtain their supplies through the St. Wilfrid's organiser.

Total goods sold in 1998/99 = £230

Volunteers are always needed for selling after Mass.

Link to Traidcraft website: 

Link to Fairtrade in Burgess Hill

Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)

The YMCA is an ecumenical Christian based charity, working for local young people.    It currently manages an 8 bed Hostel for homeless 17-24 year olds - a small youth club - and football team.   It needs volunteers and people prepared to take responsibility on its board of management.