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The Haven Pregnancy Counselling Centre, a local charity based in Burgess Hill serving Mid Sussex, has celebrated it's 25th Anniversary. Just three Centre Managers have managed the service over those 25 years - and they were reunited for an evening of celebration and thanks at Wivelsfield Village Hall with those involved in the work, now or in the past, and their supporters.

The Haven has been offering free, confidential, non-judgmental and non-directive information and support for women and girls facing an unplanned pregnancy since 1999. It also supports women and men who are struggling to come to terms with having had an abortion or who have experienced pregnancy loss.

Lyn Hoyles founded The Haven 25 years ago and was the Centre Manager until Sara Jackson took over in 2008.

Caroline Kemp then took over in 2018 and reflected, "With 45% of women facing unexpected pregnancies, this is something that effects very many women and can be a frightening and lonely experience. We offer a safe place for them to explore their thoughts, feelings and concerns in a neutral, unpressured environment so they can make an informed decision on what to do. And today we are giving thanks and celebrating that we've been doing this for 25 years now!"

Centre Manager Caroline Kemp and Chairman of the Trustees Crispin Rogers

Crispin Rogers, Chairman of the Trustees added, "It is also estimated that 1 in 3 women will have had an abortion by the age of 45: And 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage. So the need for our service is very much still there - with no one else offering this service in Mid Sussex."

The Haven also provides schools lessons to senior schools in Mid Sussex - reaching over 600 Year 10 students a year to help them engage with the issues surrounding unplanned pregnancy.

All of the advisors, offering counselling, and schools workers taking the lessons are volunteers drawn from Churches across Mid Sussex, motivated by their Christian faith to help in this way.

At this 25th Anniversary celebration event Sussex Discos provided the music for the evening and mobile food provider Defender of the Taste provided excellent pizza. Caroline concluded, "It was wonderful to mark this significant milestone with such a happy event and with so many friends and supporters of The Haven. We move into the next 25 years encouraged, energised and determined to continue supporting the women, men and young people of Mid Sussex whenever we are needed."

Further information on the services provided by The Haven can be found at www.havencentre.org.uk or email [email protected]

Burgess Hill charity celebrates 25th anniversary

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