What We Do
Registered since 2011, Forward Facing is a charity that provides activities and events for families suffering long-term illness and bereavement in the Sussex area. Our events come in all shapes and sizes. We put on small events that focus on individual families, medium size events for small groups and large events to which all our families are invited.
Our mission is to provide fun activities that make our families happy. We want our children to have special, unique experiences, where their confidence can grow, where their carers & families can relax and most importantly where they can make some really special memories.
We listen to our families. We work with them to develop events so that they meet the specific needs of children dealing with serious issues. It’s really important to us that every child in need has the opportunity to come to a Forward Facing event. Our work is funded solely from donations and we work diligently to keep the funding coming in so that we can continue to support our families.
Forward Facing is led by Candice Konig with support from the charity trustees, a small admin team and many volunteers, for whom we are truly grateful.
Our Team
Our Founder Tasleen Carstairs
Talented make-up artist Tasleen set up Forward Facing in 2008 as a Community Interest Company to make a difference to the lives of those suffering from self-image issues. Her mission was to use her training to show people how they could apply make-up to help them build confidence. She worked with those suffering congenital disfigurements as well as those who had been affected from scaring due to illness or accidents. In 2013, Forward Facing was nominated for The Argus’s “Beyond The Call of Duty” award and Tasleen was named an Argus “Local Hero”.
“We work with some of the most vulnerable groups in the community. Some of the children we work with are so poorly and don’t have many opportunities to do fun things, and the parents are pretty isolated as well. It’s about trying to do something for all of them. We really do see a transformation. I think by showing someone that you believe in them, it helps them to start believing in themselves.” Tasleen 2013, The Argus
Tragically Tasleen suffered with her own health and passed away from an aggressive form of cancer in May 2014. One of her main worries during her last remaining days was whether Forward Facing would be able to carry on without her. Stepping up, her best friend Candice Konig vowed to continue Tasleen’s amazing work and has headed up the charity ever since.
Our Trustees
Natasha Penney
Danielle Scott-Palmer
Malcolm Bashford
Our Forward Facing Team
Candice Konig
Claire Stibbs
Kelly Verstappen
Charlene Brown
Our Patron’s
Emily Simpkins
We are delighted to have professional footballer Emily on board as a Patron for Forward Facing.
Born in Staffordshire, Emily went on to coach FA skills for 8 years before signing professional at Doncaster Belles in 2015. She moved to Brighton in 2018 and spent 3 years. Emily went on to become a UEFA A qualified coach in 2022 and is currently the captain of Chalrton athletics women’s team.
Emily wanted to be a Patron for Forward Facing and be able to give her support as it’s a charity very close to her heart. She has seen the difference it can make to children and their families lives.
Emily said “I love being able to be a part of Forward Facing, helping in anyway I can!”
Mama G
As a charity focussing on making memories for the young people and families that need it the most, Forward Facing has the perfect match with our patron Mama G.
Mama G is all about making sure that everyone feels wonderful, no matter what is happening in their lives – so we are thrilled that she is able to support the work of Forward Facing.
Ella has been part of Forward Facing for years and her beautiful smile has stolen everyones hearts.
Our Patron duites
Our patron has many duties within the charity including, accessing events before hand to make sure they are completely wheelchair accessible. She is the face of our charity and provides years of knowledge to make sure we are providing the best events for our families.
Ambassadors and Volunteers
Our amazing team of ambassadors & volunteers come from all walks of life. Some are parents & carers whose families attend our events; some are professionals we’ve worked with and others are members of the public. All of them generously give us their free time and we couldn’t run our events and aspects of the charity without them.
If you’d like to help then please contact us, we’re sure to find you a way to help.
Long Term Supporters and Sponsors
Mark and his team at Finer Details Direct Ltd are a local automotive cleaning company that support Forward Facing by arranging events where they clean the vehicles for our families. A task that most families find hard to do themselves or can not pay the service. Thank you for everything Mark.
The Albion In the Community Foundation have helped us put on some great sporting event over the years. Last year they managed to secure joint funding for 9 Forward Facing events. AITC tailor events to the specific needs of our children and their staff go out of their way to make sure everyone is involved and has a great time. Thank you AITC!
We couldn’t run our Memory Making day without the brilliant team at the Dome. As well as donating the venue to us, their staff are always on hand to help with the planning, our endless requests and by volunteering on the day. Thank you for looking after us so well!
East Clayton Farm have been supporters of Forward Facing for many years. We regularly visit the farm for donkey walks and donkey visits with our families.
For the third year running, we’re working with Pebblebeach who are supporting and guiding our fundraising efforts. They’ve kindly designed our Cause For Support document and continue to offer us great advice and practical help. Thank you Pebblebeach!
Forward Facing is very fortunate to have the long term support of some remarkable organisations. We would like to say a special thank you to the following:
The staff at the Montefiore have been incredible. From organising in-house fundraising, offering their professional expertise, donating equipment and actively helping at our events, they’ve achieved a tremendous amount for Forward Facing. We are extremely grateful for their support and for making us their chosen charity.
We are very grateful to Richard Place Dobson, who continue to support us with their financial services and guidance.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Brighton & Enterprise Holding Foundation
Forward Facing champions since 2013, the staff at Enterprise Rent-a-Car Brighton are truly dedicated supporters and raise funds for us year on year. From individual staff members who jump out of planes in our name, to huge group participation in challenging events such as Tough Mudder and the London to Brighton Bike Ride, their commitment is incredible. We are also extremely grateful to their staff for nominating us to receive sizeable donations from the Enterprise Holding Foundation for the past 2 years.
We are very grateful to Mindlab who have supported us for years. Along with giving us lots of lovely donations and sponsoring events, they’ve also generously donated computer equipment.
Another fantastic supporter, Virgin Money Brighton have been extremely generous and have helped us provide some wonderful experiences for our families. Their smiley staff can be often be found volunteering at our events and we’re very grateful for their involvement.
OS&B
Huge thank you to the OS&B for generously donating money, Christmas presents and paying for the Mobiloo at our Memory Making Day for the past few years.