WEST SUSSEX
West Sussex County Council
WSCC is offering help and advice to help those struggling with the current cost of living crisis. They offer in-person and online support to anyone who may need it.
food support
UKHARVEST POP-UP PANTRY
We run weekly pantries in and around the Chichester area where you can fill a bag of rescued food for a suggested donation of £2.50. We encourage anyone who is on a tight budget, for any reason, to come along and get the support you need. You do not need a referral.
THE TRUSSELL TRUST
The Trussell trust have links with more than 1,200 foodbanks across the UK. You will need a food voucher, given to you by one of the agencies that they work with. Services they provide include:
- Emergency food parcels (with a minimum of 3 days food)
- Financial help line
KIRDFORD WITH PLAISTOW PARISH FOODBANK
Small locally operated foodbank for the Plaistow and Kirdford area. Also, a voucher holder for Trussell Trust Foodbanks. No set eligibility criteria- meaning you don’t need a food voucher.
Services they include:
- Delivery of food parcels
- They can give official food vouchers for Trussell Trust foodbanks. You can get these by either speaking to the Licensed Lay Minister of the church or, if you have a child at Plaistow and Kirdford Primary School, you can get vouchers from the Headteacher there.
Click here to visit the webpage (you will find contact information on here)
LITTLEHAMPTON COMMUNITY FRIDGE
Offering free surplus fresh produce. Available to all, you don't need a food voucher. Run by a charity called Fare Divide. You can make a financial donation if you would like to, as it is a food pantry- but you don't have to.
Services offered:
- You can come to the pantry during opening hours take up to 5 items per adult, per day (plus bread)
Click here to visit the webpage (opening times and location are found here)
HORSHAM COMMUNITY FRIDGE
Offering free surplus fresh produce. Available to all, you don't need a food voucher. Run by a charity called Fare Divide. You can make a financial donation if you would like to, as it is a food pantry- but you don't have to.
Services offered:
- You can come to the pantry during opening hours take up to 5 items per adult, per day (plus bread)
Click here to visit the webpage (opening times and location are found here)
ADUR & WORTHING FOOD PARTNERSHIP
If you are local to the Adur and Worthing area and need food for yourself or your family, there are people in your local community who can help.
talk to someone
CITIZENS ADVICE
Citizens Advice is the UK's largest advice charity. They provide around the clock free information and advice service which is completely confidential.
Services include:
- Free helpline (Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm)
- Online help guide
- Web chat advice (Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm)
- Video advice service (Tues-Fri 10am-12pm)
THE SAMARITANS
A free 24/7 phone line open to anyone. If you need to talk to somebody, you can call, email, or write a letter. They also have a free app providing advice for self-help.
Services they provide:
- Free helpline with trained volunteers- immediate response
- Free Email chats- response within 24 hours
- Letters- response within 7 days
- Free app
COMMUNITY SUPPORT HUB
The Community Support Hub is set up by the West Sussex County Council to offer support and advice on areas that fulfill your basic needs. They go on a case-by-case basis, talk to you about what you need and offer advice and services for a few weeks or as a one-off, based on your circumstances.
GREEN DOCTORS
Groundwork’s Green Doctors offer free impartial advice and support to help you save energy, reduce your bills, and live in a warmer, more comfortable home. Their trained team of experts provide consultations on the phone or in person to share advice all about saving energy.
SELSEY COMMUNITY FORUM
Support for a wide range of problems for the selsey community. For example, support with loneliness, wellbeing, and other services like debt advice.
CARERS SUPPORT
Support for those who care for someone else. They run Support Groups, a Carer Response Line, help carers access useful equipment, provide funds or counselling so that carers can do something for themselves.
REFUGE
Supporting those who have experienced violence and abuse, no matter what your experience they’re here to support you. They run a range of specialist services to help survivors access safety and rebuild their lives.
MY SISTERS’ HOUSE
They offer a wide variety of services for any women, any age, any issue. From domestic abuse support to talk groups, they can offer services to help get you back on your feet and bring back your confidence and self-worth.
WORTH
WORTH specialises in domestic abuse support for people at high risk of harm as a result of domestic abuse.
CHANGE GROW LIVE (CGL)
Change Grow Live supports those who struggle with addiction and those who knows someone who does. Their mission is to help people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.
OK REHAB
OK Rehab are a Nationwide rehabilitation service for those struggling with addiction. They offer support on recognising addiction, fighting it and living in recovery for yourself or a loved one.
financial support
THE MONEY ADVICE SERVICE
Free money advice set up via the government. Their website is full of free information, and you can call, WhatsApp or web chat for free personal advice.
Services provided:
- Free phoneline
- Free web chat
- WhatsApp chats about debt, pensions and credit
- Free printed guides
- Website information
- Tools and calculators to help with mortgages etc...
Click here to visit their website where you will find any information you need
CITIZENS ADVICE
Citizens Advice is the UK's largest advice charity. They provide around the clock free information and advice service which is completely confidential.
Services include:
- Free helpline (Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm)
- Online help guide
- Web chat advice (Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm)
- Video advice service (Tues-Fri 10am-12pm)
TURNING TIDES
The Emergency Assistance Grant (EAG) provides a flexible range of support to residents of Adur and Worthing to mitigate impacts of Covid19 through meeting urgent need. The EAG is funded by Adur & Worthing Council and delivered by Turning Tides.
The EAG helps people who have no other way of getting assistance. It is open to those who:
- Are in a crisis situation
- Have no or limited available funds
- Are facing an unexpected expense that would otherwise not be affordable or cause financial/wellbeing issues
- Live in Adur and Worthing
PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for working-age people who face a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. PIP uses a points-based system focusing mainly on two areas; a mobility component based on a person’s ability to get around, and a daily living component based on their ability to look after themselves.
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY (CAP)
Christians Against Poverty are on a self-proclaimed mission to help those who are struggling with financial debt, life skills and job searching. CAP provides a range of free services across the UK through local churches.
BREATHING SPACE
The Breathing Space is a scheme set up by the government to help those in debt by pausing all creditor action for a limited period, for people who need of some time to get back on their feet. Someone receiving mental health crisis treatment can apply for a sperate Breathing Space which extends the paused period.
SOUTHERN WATER
Southern Water are assisting their customers that may be struggling to pay their water bills. Listed below is a brief summary of their services:
- Essentials tariff – Can provide a discount on your future bills.
- WaterSure tariff – Can cap your bills if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- NewStart scheme – Could help you in regards to your water account arrears.
- WaterDirect scheme – Where payments can be made to cover both current charges and arrears straight from the clients benefits.
- Priority Services Register – Is specifically designed for customers who may need extra support.
TURN2US
Turn2Us is an information centre for all different kinds of benefits and grants that you may be entitled to. They list a wide range of different benefits and grants depending on what situation you may be in.
UNIVERSAL CREDIT
This is a government run system to give those on a low income or out of work, monthly payments to support with the cost of living. Depending on your set of circumstances, they will calculate the best support for you.
child support
GOVERNMENT CHILDCARE SUPPORT
The Government can offer a variety of help with childcare finances including free childcare, tax free childcare and tax/universal credits.
FAMILY RIGHTS GROUP
Family Rights Group are a national charity that advises parents, grandparents, relatives and friends about their rights and options when social workers or courts make decisions about their children’s welfare. They work with parents whose children are in need, at risk or are in the care system and with wider family members and friends who are raising children (known as kinship carers).
Services included:
- Easy-to-follow, online advice. Features include an A-Z, FAQs, films, ‘top tips’ and legal advice sheets
- Online forums
- Free telephone advice (9:30am-3:00pm)
- Family conferences
- Training and consultancy
- Domestic abuse support
Click here to visit the website
FAMILY SUPPORT WORK
Family Rights Group are a national charity that advises parents, grandparents, relatives and friends about their rights and options when social workers or courts make decisions about their children’s welfare. They work with parents whose children are in need, at risk or are in the care system and with wider family members and friends who are raising children (known as kinship carers).
Services included:
- Easy-to-follow, online advice. Features include an A-Z, FAQs, films, ‘top tips’ and legal advice sheets
- Online forums
- Free telephone advice (9:30am-3:00pm)
- Family conferences
- Training and consultancy
- Domestic abuse support
THE SYLVIA BEAUFOY CENTRE
The Centre currently offers a range of open-access positive activities over four days each week and during school holidays, for young people aged 8 to 19. Sessions are arranged taking account of the needs and interests of the young people who attend the Centre from Petworth and the surrounding area. They aim to give opportunities to all young people, to gain informal learning qualifications and skills for living.
Services provided:
- Social sessions (Socialising using the centres facilities)
- Cooking within the centre
- Projects and programmes (including Duke of Edinburgh award)
- Sports and mountain biking
Click here to visit their website
HEALTHY START
The healthy start scheme is a nationwide scheme put into place by the NHS to give support to new and soon to be mums with buying healthy food, milk, and vitamin supplements. If you are eligible, you will be sent a card to use which will function like a normal bank card in most of your local stores.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY CENTER
From the West Sussex County Council, a list of resources, information and advice for mothers.
CHILDLINE
Support for young people to connect and talk to others about anything that’s on your mind. Ring the helpline, message on their chatrooms to other young people, email or write a letter anonymously to trained adults you can trust.
Housing support
SHELTER
Shelter is a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing. They give advice, Information and advocacy to people in housing need.
Services included:
- Face to face services
- Online advice
- Free legal advice
- National help line
Click here to visit their website (you will find options to chat online, call or find a branch)
BRIGHTON HOUSING TRUST
BHT Sussex is a housing association and a homeless charity. They provide essential services across Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings, as well as elsewhere in Sussex. They both challenge the causes of homelessness, poverty and marginalisation and deal with the consequences.
Services provided:
- Housing services and support
- Work learning and employment
- Mental health and wellbeing services
- Addiction services
- Specialist Housing, benefits and immigration advice
- Day centre
- Choir
- Young people service
- Hostel
Click here to find their services
Click here to visit their website
CHICHESTER HEART FOR HOMELESS
HEART is a partnership of local churches in Chichester, who want to play our part in helping some of the most vulnerable people in the community. They serve a hot, take away breakfast and packed lunch every day of the week from 9am until 10am.
Services included:
- Daily hot take away breakfast's and packed lunch
STONEPILLOW
Stonepillow support and empower homeless and vulnerable people to achieve sustainable independence and wellbeing. They run day centres, Hostels, Resource hubs, supported accommodation and recovery services.
Services included:
- Drop-in day centres (with wash facilities, food drop in dentist etc...)
- Hostels (by referral from the hubs)
- Resource hubs (referral from the hubs)
- Advice with housing and benefits (from the hubs)
TURNING TIDES
The Emergency Assistance Grant provides a flexible range of support to residents of Adur and Worthing. The EAG is funded by Adur & Worthing Council and delivered by Turning Tides.
The EAG covers a range of basic needs, goods and services:
- Furniture from recycling schemes
- Reconditioned white goods
- Personal and household goods and equipment
- Help with utility costs
CHICHESTER DISTRICT COUNCIL
The district council can offer services and give advice on many different areas of living. They can help with housing, job searching, council tax, waste and many other services.
Support for older people
AGESPACE
They provide information online about care, legal and financial matters, health and local services.
Services provided:
- Free online advice
- Personal Alarms
- Directions to other support organisations and services
Click here to visit their Sussex webpage (you will find Sussex specific advice here)
AGE UK
Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove’s Information and Advice service has trained advisors who are able to help older people with various issues affecting quality of life.
Services included:
- Free helpline
- Information and advice both online and in person.
- Home visits
- Gardening
- Handyperson services
- Befriending service
- Home help
- Home from hospital service
- Dementia support
Click here to visit their webpage where you will find links to all their services
INDEPENDENT AGE
Independent age provides free information and advice for older people.
Services provided:
- Free information and advice online (printable)
- Free helpline
- Free regular phone calls and house visits
Click here to visit their webpage where there are links to all their services
THE SILVER LINE
The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The specially trained helpline team can offer information, friendship and advice, offer regular friendship calls and protect and support older people who are suffering abuse and neglect.
Services included:
- A free phoneline that provides information, friendship and advice.
- Regular friendship calls
Click here to visit their website (you will find the phone number here)
COMPARE THE MARKET
Compare the Market has an online guide for any senior people looking to live on their own safely and comfortably. They cover accessibility options, types of independent housing, managing finances, and home safety improvements for peace of mind.
general health support
WEST SUSSEX WELLBEING
The West Sussex Wellbeing services can help you find local wellbeing information and services. Wellbeing is a friendly, impartial service which comes from your local authority and other partners, the majority of services are completely free to users. As well as using the website, you can find out more about local activities and support services by talking to a wellbeing advisor over the phone.
Services included:
- Directions to different support organisations
- Information and advice
Click here to visit their website
NHS 111 (NOT EMERGENCY)
NHS 111 is here to make it easier and quicker for patients to get the right advice or treatment they need, be that for their physical or mental health. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Free Helpline (Call 111)
- Online help
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Alcoholics Anonymous run support groups helping anyone suffering with an addiction to alcohol. AA is completely free and is designed to protect all members anonymity. You can contact them to discuss your situation, or simply show up at a meeting (let someone know that it is your first meeting and they will provide you will everything you need)
Services include:
- Closed meetings (just for people suffering with an addiction)
- Open meetings (open to both people who have an addiction and people who don't)
- Online meetings
- Free national helpline
Click here to visit their website (you will find the helpline number at the top)
mental health support
EVERY MIND MATTERS (NHS)
An NHS website platform which gives free advice and support links.
Services included:
- Free information and advice
- Links to talking therapies
- Advice on helping others
CALM
Free and confidential helpline and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who need to talk about life’s problems. Additionally, they provide online advice.
Services included:
- Free helpline (5:00pm-12:00pm)
- Free webchat (5:00-12:00pm)
- Directions to other help organisations
- Advice about helping others
- After-suicide support
Click here to visit their website (you will find links and information here)
MIND WEST SUSSEX
Mind offers information and advice across West Sussex. They promote good mental health and provide guidance about the types of support available.
- Participation and peer support
- Advice and information online
- Advocacy (talking to someone who can help you)
Click here for advice and information
Click here for IMHA (one of the advocacy agencies)
RETHINK
Offers practical help on issues such as the Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits and carers rights. Offers general help on living with mental illness. The Rethink Mental Illness advice and information service offers practical help on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. We also offer general information on living with mental illness, medication and care.
Services included:
- Online Information and Advice
- Web chat (10am-1pm)
- Email advice
- Phoneline
- Writing letters
Click here to see their online advice
PATHFINDER WEST SUSSEX
Pathfinder is an alliance of organisations working together to enable people with mental health support needs, and their carers, to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
LIFE CENTRE
Support for those who have experienced a traumatic event, unwanted sexual experience or who are struggling mentally.
RICHMOND FELLOWSHIP
Richmond Fellowship is a national mental health charity working with individuals, families and communities to make recovery reality. Their services work hand-in-hand with people to give them confidence, self belief and purpose.
job loss support
NATIONAL CAREERS ADVICE
National Careers Advice provide information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work. They have a advice phone line and webchat, online information and resources like online courses.
Services include:
- Phoneline (8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday)
- Webchats (8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday)
- Email/letter writing service
- Free online courses
- Online advise
Click here to visit their general website
THE MONEY ADVICE SERVICE
Here you will find some advice about your rights when faced with redundancy. They also have other free advice around benefits, work and other finance related issues.
Services provided:
- Free printed guides
- Free phoneline
- Free web chat
- WhatsApp chats about debt, pensions and credit
- Website information
- Tools and calculators to help with mortgages etc...
