You could win some incredible prizes this summer by entering our fantastic photo competition.

Running from Saturday 29 July to Saturday 9 September, prizes include an award-winning meal at The Cat Inn near East Grinstead and Chichester Festival Theatre tickets for a trilogy of Alan Ayckbourn plays.

To enter, take a great photo of West Sussex using one of the following themes to inspire you:

- ‘New Experiences’  - Unique and exciting experiences to enjoy in West Sussex 

- ‘Back to Nature’ – Fun and affordable family outdoor activities to reconnect

- ‘Cultural Encounters’ – Cultural experiences throughout West Sussex

Then tag the Experience West Sussex account on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtag #MyWestSussex.

Or email your photo to campaign@westsussex.gov.uk

Lucky winners, who will be announced in September, will also have their photos framed and displayed in the main reception at County Hall, Chichester.

Could you give a child a better future through fostering or adoption?

Last month’s West Sussex Connections highlighted that very young children are currently awaiting adoption. Find out more at one of our information sessions, listed on www.westsussex.gov.uk/adoption. You can also call for an informal chat on 0330 222 7777.

There’s also a high number of children needing foster care in the county, and we need more foster carers to support them. If you could make a difference to a child’s life we would love to hear from you. Visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fostering or call 0330 222 7775.

Residents are being called on to take action against scams throughout July during Scams Awareness Month. 

West Sussex Trading Standards is inviting residents to learn how to spot the signs of scams at two upcoming events in Arun and Worthing.

More than 800 cases of actual and attempted scams have been reported to West Sussex Trading Standards since 1 July 2016.

This came at a cost of £383,000 to residents.

Click here for full details of the events.

West Sussex has inspired some literary greats, such as Jane Austen and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and we think it can inspire you too.

All you need to do is head over to the Experience West Sussex website to start planning what will excite you this summer.

It has everything to spark the imagination; from a picturesque ride through the countryside on the Bluebell railway to an invigorating walk on the ancient slopes of Wolstonbury Hill. 

Why not set yourself on the path to enlightenment by heading over to the website and start exploring what West Sussex has to offer you this summer season. You never know, this could inspire a whole new you.

You can also keep up to date with what’s on offer through their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

We’d like to find out what you think about a new approach we’ve been trialling since January this year; where people, their families and carers can meet with council staff in local settings to discuss their social care needs.

Our aim is to:

- talk to more people at an earlier stage and support them to stay as independent as possible

- hold informal drop-in sessions in local communities, where people can talk to the county council about social care 

- help to connect people to services and activities in their local communities. 

We’d like to find out your thoughts to help shape how the county council delivers adult social care in the future. Fill in our survey here.

The survey will be live until Friday 11 August. 

Chocolate, stately homes, cycling, walks and herbs. The latest edition of Taste West Sussex magazine contains a whole host of local features. There’s also the chance of winning Montezuma’s chocolates, a personalised herbal tea, farm shop goodies and Petworth House tickets. www.westsussex.gov.uk/taste

If you would like copies for your parish hall/rooms, email taste@westsussex.gov.uk