Crisis fund that gave £2.7 million in grants to local charities relaunches: here are the Lewes charities who have benefited

Sussex Community Foundation is re-booting the Sussex Crisis Fund and hopes that local people will once again step forward with donations to support those who are struggling to make ends meet.

Kevin Richmond, CEO at Sussex Community Foundation, said: “This third lockdown is now beginning to ease and we are all delighted to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

“However, for many people, the fallout from this pandemic is hitting harder than ever and there is much more work for our amazing local charities to do to support those people.”

These are some of the Lewes charities that have benefited from the fund so far:

– 6th Lewes Scout Group

– Havens Community Hub CIC

– Coastal Wellbeing Limited

– Common Cause Co-operative

– Community Chef Good Food for All CIC

– Different Planet Arts

– Community Transport Sussex CIO

– Culture Shift CIC 5000

– Diversity Resource International 15000

– Community Transport for the Lewes Area (CTLA)

– Fitzjohn’s Food Bank

– Friends of Downlands Court

– The Friends of Newhaven Foodbank

– Friends of Wallands c/o Wallands School

– Chailey Heritage Foundation

– Golden Lion Childrens Trust

– Diversity Lewes

– Havens Community Cars CIO

– Havens Community Hub CIC

– Headway East Sussex

– Home-Start East Sussex

– Kempton House Day Centre Age Concern peacehaven and Telscombe

– Lewes and District Citizens Advice Bureau

– Movingsounds

– Newhaven Baptist Church

– Newhaven Young People’s Forum

– Pippa’s Group

– Railway Land Wildlife Trust

– Sussex Community Development Association

– Seafriends

– Seahaven Storehouse: Seaford Community Trust

– Seaford Community Church/ Trust

– Now! Charity Group Ltd

– St James’ Trust (Seaford) Ltd

– The Bevern Trust

– Newhaven Baptist Church

– Plumpton & East Chiltington Good Neighbours

– Green Centre CIC

– Oyster Project

– South Heighton Village Hall Management Committee

– The Sussex Archaeological Society

– Unity Lewes CIC

– The Youth Counselling Project

– Newhaven Families Forum

– Down Syndrome Development Trust

– Wolo Foundation

Local advice agencies are describing a new cohort of people through their doors – those whose are ‘new to poverty’, according to the Sussex Community Foundation.

They have used up their savings and credit limits have been reached,

Many people are reaching a tipping point with their finances and are forced to seek help, having never needed to before, with some using foodbanks for the first time.

Some residents, especially young people and older workers, have seen job losses and reduced employment opportunities.

Many people have experienced mental health challenges, and women’s refuges are in high demand – with situations of domestic abuse exacerbated by three lockdowns.

“Sussex charities continue to face immense pressure in 2021, with some even facing closure,” said Mr Richmond.

“The vital services they deliver to local people are being stretched almost to breaking point, which is why we are re-launching the Sussex Crisis Fund – with what we are calling the Support and Recovery phase and, once again, we are asking for your help.”

The relaunched Fund will make grants across the four main areas: mental health support; advice and support services; costs associated with providing food and other vital support; and digital inclusion

Mr Richmond said: “We want to thank everyone who so generously donated last year- please do consider giving again, to make sure that our vital local charities can continue to help those who need it the most.”

Donate at www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund