EAST SUSSEX
food support
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
HASTINGS FOOD PANTRY (ETC SUSSEX)
The Pantry supports people who are experiencing food poverty through a membership scheme. Proof of benefit will be required. Members have weekly access to long life food, toiletries, fresh fruit, vegetables and bread for a £2.50 donation. Members can stay for a hot drink and socialise. New members are welcome, but membership numbers are limited in line with food supplies.
Services offered:
- Food Pantry membership- gives access to pantry open every Tuesday and Friday 10pm - 2pm for a £2.50 donation.
Click here for contact details (found on the right hand side of the page)
NEWHAVEN FOODBANK (BRIGHTON AND HOVE FOOD PARTNERSHIP)
Newhaven Food Bank run regular drop-in sessions for individuals and families who are experiencing food poverty. They find out how they can help and if an agency referral is needed. When you speak to a member of their team, they will discuss your circumstances with you and there will also be an opportunity to discuss further services and support should you need them.
Services provided:
- Foodbank
- Cookery courses
- Community Gardens (where communities can grow food)
- Casserole Club scheme (connects lonely or isolated people with a neighbour who can bring round a portion of food)
Click here to find out more about the foodbank
Click here to visit the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership Website
EAST BRIGHTON FOOD CO-OPERATIVE
EBFC have been running 2 Emergency Food Hub Kitchens in East Brighton, both serving freshly cooked nutritious meals for their communities. You will need to place a meal order by emailing or calling beforehand.
Services provided:
- delivered free meals (from booking)
Click here to visit their website (you will find an email and phone number by scrolling down)
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
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.
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.
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)
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 can calculate the best support for you.
child and family 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
FSW support children and families through difficult times in their lives including low income and poverty; mental or physical ill health; disability; learning difficulties; school non-attendance and exclusion; bereavement; family break-up and domestic abuse. They help children and parents/carers to resolve problems, develop confidence and resilience and improve relationships. They also work closely with schools to support children to stay in mainstream education and do well.
FSW also provides food parcels, clothing, household goods and help with winter fuel bills where necessary.
Services provided:
- Children’s activities
- One to one support
- Family daytime drop-ins
- Support groups for parents
- School Holiday activities
- Food parcels, household goods and clothing
- Help with winter fuel bills where necessary
To enquire or make a referral click here to visit their referral page
To visit their general website and find out more click here
MYTUTOR
Here you will find a free online guide from MyTutor with useful tips and advice for parents to help their teens overcome body image issues, academic anxiety, peer pressure, and cyberbullying, including links to other important teen mental health resources.
Services included:
- Free online guide
- Links to other resources
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.
CHILDLINE
Support for young people to connect and talk to others about anything that’s on your mind. Ring the helpline, message on our 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
YMCA DLG
YMCA DownsLink Group is a charity working to transform the lives of vulnerable young people across Sussex and Surrey. They work to prevent youth homelessness and provide a home to 763 young people every night. They also reach a further 10,000 young people and their families through our other key services, such as counselling, support and advice, mediation and youth work, so that all young people can belong, contribute and thrive.
Services included:
- Housing advice & Support
- Youth advice centres
- Phoneline
- Family meditation
- Advice surrounding homelessness
Click here to visit their housing advice webpage
Click here to visit their advice centre webpage (you will find the telephone number on here)
Click here to visit their general website
SUSSEX HOMELESS SUPPORT
SHS provide support, advice, and outreach to people suffering housing crisis in Sussex. Every Sunday they run a Street Kitchen at the Clocktower in Brighton where they serve meals, give out clothes and advice to around 200 rough sleepers and vulnerable people.
Services provided:
- Street kitchen giving out meals, clothes and advice
Click here to visit their website (you will find contact details here)
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 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
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.
Services provided:
- 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
ROB HILL FOUNDATION
The Rob Hill Foundation helps people beat addiction- to substances (eg: alcohol/drugs etc…) and activities (eg: compulsive cleaning etc..). They help people deal with trauma, anxiety, stress, and depression by teaching and empowering through workshops. They have a workshop in Hastings which works as a drop-in support group.
Services provided:
- Workshops and support groups
Click here to find the Hastings group
Click here to visit the website
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
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)
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
COMPARE THE MARKET
Here you will find a guide to overcoming technology additions and advise for resposable technology use.
Services included:
- How technology use has changed over the years
- The impact of COVID-19on screen time use and digital behaviours
- Understanding screen addictions and how our devices affect our brains and change our behaviours (e.g. dopamine-driven reward loops)
- Helpful tips and useful advice for tackling device addiction, managing gadget and internet use, and creating healthier digital habits.
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...
