Sussex Crisis Fund relaunched after giving £250k to Chichester charities during Covid-19 pandemic

Sussex Community Foundation has re-booted the Sussex Crisis Fund and will make grants to community groups working across four main areas: mental health support; advice and support services; costs associated with providing food and other vital support; and digital inclusion.

Kevin Richmond, chief executive 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.”

The fund was originally set up in March 2020 to provide emergency funding for frontline support and has since given out over £2.7million in grants to charities and community groups across Sussex.

Sussex Community Foundation said local advice agencies have described a new cohort of people through their doors – those who are ‘new to poverty’ – whose savings have been used up and credit limits reached, which has forced them to seek help, with some using foodbanks for the first time.

The charity also said many people were facing unemployment or reduced employment opportunities, while others have experienced mental health challenges or domestic abuse.

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

“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.

“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.”

Visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund for more information.

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