What to do if you want to help...

Community groups have joined forces with the two county councils in the county to pull resources together. West Sussex County Council has a form on its website where it is asking people to list their skills and availability, it will then get in touch to let people know how they can help. East Sussex County Council advises those that want to help to get in touch with your local voluntary action service. They will be able to match willing volunteers with those in need in the area. The current groups available are Hastings Voluntary Action, Eastbourne, Lews and Wealden - three voluntary action charity across those three councils and Rother Voluntary Action group. It adds that if you represent a community group that needs extra volunteers, please contact your local voluntary action service. Sussex people and businesses are also being asked to donate – urgently and generously. The Sussex Crisis Fund is supporting local charities and community groups who are in the frontline of community action to help people suffering as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. “Smaller charities and voluntary groups are the absolute backbone of community life here in Sussex. They support everyone from people with mental health problems to families on low incomes, from isolated older people to those without a roof over their heads,” said Kevin Richmond, chief executive of Sussex Community Foundation on its website. “We’ve been talking to charities across the county over the last two weeks and there are many examples of charities rolling their sleeves up and finding creative ways to do the seemingly impossible. Foodbanks are organising food distribution to poor neighbourhoods across the county, befriending charities are moving to telephone or online befriending, to ensure that no-one is left isolated and lonely and many charities are training vast numbers of new volunteers to respond to the immediate need.” This new fund has been set up by the Sussex Community Foundation who have been supporting Sussex groups and communities since 2006. To view the page or to donate, visit : www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/ sussexcrisisfund