All about supporter groups
Find more information on supporter groups and up-to-date contact details for each group.
Supporter groups in Sussex
Interested in making the most of the National Trust near you in Sussex? Members of National Trust supporter groups across Sussex help to raise funds for places like Nymans and Sheffield Park, while also getting together for days out, talks and volunteering at their local places. Discover how you can get involved.
Why join a supporter group?
Getting together with other National Trust enthusiasts, members and volunteers who feel passionate about the same things is priceless. Sharing unique experiences and finding out more about the places you care about is what being part of a local National Trust supporter group is all about.
From listening to expert talks and going on behind-the-scenes tours to taking relaxing holidays or restoring natural habitats in the great outdoors, you’ll be part of something amazing. Supporter groups promote and assist the National Trust’s work within their local area and raise money for conservation and development projects through all kinds of events.
Brighton and Hove Association
The Brighton and Hove Association was founded in 1972 to promote the National Trust locally. It raises funds to support the Trust and arranges an enjoyable programme of social events and activities for members.
Some of the National Trust places supported include:
- Devil’s Dyke
- Saddlescombe Farm
- Nymans Garden.
In the last three years the association has raised £12,475 to support local National Trust places and projects.
Friends of Standen Estate
The Friends of Standen Estate are a group of National Trust garden and woodland volunteers and staff at Standen. The group aims to champion the work of the estate, preserve, promote and develop traditional countryside and horticultural crafts and encourage social activities to make volunteering more enjoyable.
They do this by encouraging volunteering and tapping sources of funds additional to those available to the National Trust to provide training, tools and materials for volunteers. Whether you enjoy detailed gardening work, major scrub clearance, planning for large projects or anything in between there will be something to suit you at Standen.
Hastings and St Leonards Association
The Hastings and St Leonards Association is a group of National Trust members and volunteers that formed in 1982. They promote a range of recreational and educational activities that relate to the work of the Trust and are of a local or historical interest. To date they have raised more than £120,000.
North Sussex Centre
The North Sussex Centre was formed in 1978 and draws its membership from Horsham, Crawley and the surrounding areas. The centre is run by volunteers and aims to help members enjoy a varied programme of activities and meet other people with similar interests. It also provides opportunities for members to support the National Trust through fundraising for local places.
North Sussex NTV
The North Sussex NTV are a friendly group who meet monthly to help with a variety of gardening tasks at Standen. The group meets at 10am and normally works until about 4pm depending on the light and weather, and the tasks that the Head Gardener sets. In the past they’ve tackled everything from bracken pulling and general clearing to building the famous Higgledy Piggledy fence and a maze. Each month is different, but a bonfire is included whenever possible.
No specific skills are needed other than a willingness to get stuck into that month’s task and a sense of humour. A camping weekend and barbecue is held in the summer which is always great fun.
Rye and District Association
The Rye & District Association was founded in 1980 as the Rye & Winchelsea Centre and adopted its new name in 2010. We have an active membership drawn from Rye and the surrounding area.
Our Association is a friendly social group with membership open to all.
Our objectives are to provide interesting and enjoyable activities and events for our members whilst raising funds for the support of the National Trust.
Looking back through our records, in the years since 1980 we have raised and donated to the National Trust a grand total well in excess of £120,000! We are rightly proud, and have every intention of continuing to raise and donate further significant sums.
Seaford Association
The Seaford Association was formed in 1985 to promote the work of the National Trust in the area. If you’re new to the district, joining the Seaford Association is a good way to meet like-minded people and be assured of a warm welcome.
Over the past 35 years the association has raised £111,570 for the National Trust supporting local places including:
- Alfriston Clergy House
- Monk's House
- Sheffield Park Gardens
- Batemans
- Hatchlands Park
- Nymans
- Scotney Castle.
South Downs NTV Group
The South Downs NTV Group started in 1988 and the first volunteering party was held on the 12 June at Highdown Hill where storm-damaged trees from the Great Storm of 1987 were cleared. The group now carries out about 2,300 hours of conservation work in support of the National Trust each year, with volunteer parties usually organised on alternate Sundays (with the occasional Saturday) at National Trust places across Sussex.
Tasks undertaken by the group include downland, heathland and woodland clearance and footpath maintenance and fencing. The group also has an active social programme including pub nights, occasional holidays and weekends away, walks, bowling and watching basketball.
Worthing Association
If you live in the area of West Sussex between the Adur and the Arun, the Worthing Association is a great place to enjoy a programme of talks, coach outings, social events and an annual holiday. The group has raised almost £200,000 since its formation in 1973, with donations funding projects at National Trust places and national appeals like the coast fundraising campaign.
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Supporter group directory 2024
Use the supporter group directory (PDF) to find membership enquiry contact details and links to group websites for further information.
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Volunteer at Standen
Volunteers are essential to the work we do at Standen. Varied roles include greeting visitors, working front of house in the café or keeping the garden looking its best. If you'd like to talk to us about volunteering, please call 01342 323029 or email us at standen@nationaltrust.org.uk