Reconnecting people and communities is at the heart of the fund relaunch.

A crucial crisis fund that gave £2.7 million in grants to local charities who were working on the Covid-19 frontline and supporting vulnerable people last year, has been relaunched – thanks to a £300,000 boost from West Sussex County Council.

Sussex Community Foundation is re-booting the Sussex Crisis Fund (support and recovery phase) 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.”

Emily King, Director of Communities, said: “We are so pleased to be able to work in partnership with Sussex Community Foundation and East Sussex County Council to support the voluntary and community sector to recover from the effects of the pandemic. 

“The exceptional response from these sectors during the pandemic, and the positive partnerships that have developed as a result, are valued by the council and we are delighted to offer our support to meet the ongoing demands placed on individuals and communities, as we move into the recovery phase.”

“Sussex charities continue to face immense pressure in 2021, with some even facing closure,” says 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 five main areas:

• Mental health support
• Advice and support services
• Costs associated with providing food and other vital support
• Digital inclusion
• Reconnecting people and communities

“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.”

Please donate on Totalgiving.com