Kerry & Martin are Directors of Zest Sussex CIC, we are a Community Interest Company that offers support and structured training to adults with a learning disability or autism to learn transferable, work based skills which are fundamental and important for entering the job market.

We have been informed by East Sussex County Council (ESCC) that our funding will be removed or drastically cut because of the savings they need to make. If we don't do anything now the likelihood is we will have to close even though we are under contract until September 2016. 

The training is based around a car valeting model, but is so much more than that, it is learning to interact with customers, deliver exceptional customer service, money handling, work ethics and standards, team working, time keeping and marketing, all vital skills required for work and being more independent in life.

We have a story to tell ......

We used to work for a Charity in East Sussex for adults with a learning disability or autism. After operating for three years and secured funding for another three years from the Council, the Charity decided they did not want to run the project anymore and served notice to the Council.

We were devastated and became determined that the project would not close. The County Council encouraged us to take over and were supportive in helping us set up Zest Sussex and take the project over.

Our determination paid off and we are delighted to say we were awarded funding and Zest's funding was awarded for 19 months until September 2016, enabling the project to continue.

The project is now under threat after only 8 months, under threat through no fault of our own. We were encouraged by the Council to continue and it is the same very Council that is now putting the project under threat by removing or reducing our funding.

Telling the Zest team we might have to close is probably one of the hardest things we have ever had to do in our lives and something we would never want to experience again. It will take away their hope for their future if we close, their hope that someone believes in them.

We never wanted to rely on Council money indefinitely..... We just need a fighting chance and time to establish ourselves.

We believe in our people as every one of the Zest team has an important role to play not only at Zest Sussex but in life, they are now so much more independent, confident and, hopefully, they will all go on to other things. More than anything else, be a valuable member of the local Community and earn their own money and get a paid job. 

We want people to know about us, know our story and how committed and determined we are in supporting adults with a learning disability or autism learn a variety of skills to assist them in life and find paid employment. We need to raise our profile so we can survive and continue to support adults with LD.

We want everyone to know how brilliant our people are too. So please sign our petition to help give people a future.

It would be amazing if you could do anything to help raise our profile, or assist in anyway to raise funds, or even make a donation and we would encourage you to contact us if you can help us.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR ZEST TEAM SO PLEASE HELP.

The consultation period runs until 18th December so we must have your signature before the 18th December. We must submit the petition prior to the consultation period closing otherwise it will not be considered.

Thank you for reading our story and supporting Zest Sussex CIC.