The Trust for Developing Communities works at Downlands Court, an extra care scheme for older people.  Downlands Court opened in September 2009.  The scheme is at the forefront of new solutions to providing facilities for older people in local communities and linking and integrating those facilities within the local neighbourhood.  Extra Care Housing Schemes offer a new way of supporting people to live independently for as long as they can.  People have the security and privacy of a home of their own, with 24 hour care services available if they need them. 

A Community Participation Worker at Downlands Court was appointed at the beginning of August 2009.  The work is funded by Adult Social Care,  East Sussex County Council.  The Community Participation Worker will work to develop Downlands Court as a community resource for all its occupants, day service users and the wider community.  She will work with people in the scheme and wider community to create independent groups with the skills and capacity to identify their own needs, raise funds for activities and manage resources that serve these needs. 

The Community Participation Worker will encourage activities, which enable scheme occupants to feel valuable members of the wider Peacehaven community. These activities will enable them to contribute positively to that community, for example through volunteering, and will help to combat the isolation that the local community of older people might experience, through the chance for them to meet other people in a friendly and supportive environment.