The Sussex Beacon – specialist care and support for people living with HIV

The Sussex Beacon is a local charity that has been providing specialist care and support for people living with HIV for the last 30 years. 

Their services promote independence and improve health and wellbeing by providing inpatient and outpatient support. 

Working from their centre in Brighton, The Sussex Beacon comprises a 10-bed inpatient unit, therapy rooms and larger rooms for group work. There is also a landscaped garden for patients and visitors to enjoy all year round. The aim is to provide high-quality care and support in a friendly, homely and inclusive environment.

The Sussex Beacon’s services have been needed more than ever in the last few years and the charity has ensured that they have been constantly available, offering support, care and practical help to people across Sussex. Their service users face daily challenges, whether that be physical or mental ill health, social isolation or being stigmatised in their community. Many have stated that without The Sussex Beacon, they would have nowhere to go. 

It is the only specialist inpatient unit for people living with HIV in the South East and the unique service is open 365 days of the year, creating a haven in which patients can receive the help they need. 

#BeMoreJill

To celebrate 30 years since its foundation, The Sussex Beacon has teamed up with one of its lovely patrons, Jill Nalder, creating a #BeMoreJill campaign. 

Jill was the inspiration behind Russell T Davies’ hit show ‘It’s A Sin’, which was aired on Channel 4 last year. The show follows a group of friends facing the HIV epidemic whilst living in London in the ’80s. The character Jill (based on her real-life namesake) shows deep compassion and care whilst helping both her loved ones and complete strangers, who are facing an unknown illness at a time when few others would. 

The public fell in love with the person they saw on their screens each week, and as a result #BeMoreJill began trending on Twitter each time an episode was released. It was a call to arms, encouraging the rest of us to act with the same level of kindness as Jill herself. 

When the real Jill came on board as a patron of The Sussex Beacon, they decided to help maintain Jill’s caring message, by asking people to #BeMoreJill. This year, they are asking local companies to “get on board” and to take on the challenge of doing all they can to help people living with HIV.

How to get involved

Would you like your company to #BeMoreJill? The Sussex Beacon would love for you to get involved, and they have loads of ideas of how you can do it.

Collection Tins

• They will provide your business with a collection tin, to collect funds that you raise. They will credit you £10 per month towards your total initially and for each time they swap it for a new one.

Fundraising Events

• Their fundraising team would be delighted to help you set up a fundraising event, to benefit their service users. Simply contact the team at fundraising@sussexbeacon.org.uk

Volunteer

• Volunteer for them and for each hour of time provided (in the shops, at an event, or at the main centre) they will credit you £10 towards your total. 

Donate to our shops

• Simply donate an item to one of their two shops and for each item in good condition donated they will credit you £5 towards your total.

Brighton Half Marathon 2023

• Each company joining The Sussex Beacon to #BeMoreJill will receive a free place within Team Beacon at the Brighton Half Marathon 2023, with the sponsorship funds raised being added to your total.

The Sussex Beacon would love to hear from you if you have any other ideas of how your organisation could #BeMoreJill – the more creative the better!

Your hard work won’t go unrewarded – if you raise…

£1,000, you will receive a table at one of the popular Beacon comedy nights with meals and drinks included as well as social media coverage promoting your support.

£3,000 you will receive a table at a fabulous show featuring The WestEnders, including a “meet & greet” with Jill Nalder and social media coverage of your organisation’s support.

£5,000 you will receive a table at a fabulous show featuring The WestEnders, including a “meet & greet” with Jill Nalder, social media coverage of your organisation’s support, and a video endorsement of your business by Jill!

Would you like to sign your organisation up to #BeMoreJill, or would like to know more? Please email fundraising@sussexbeacon.org.uk and they will be happy to chat and answer any of your questions.