Diocese of Chichester

Charity overwhelmed by support during pandemic

LIKE many charities, Family Support Work has had to adapt its ways of working since the coronavirus outbreak- and fill the gaps left by usual fundraising activities. Chief executive Martin Auton-Lloyd explains how life has changed for FSW.

FSW helps families in Sussex struggling with poverty, ill health, learning difficulties, bereavement, family break-up and domestic abuse.

Established in 1890 by a group of church women in Chichester, it gives support through children’s activities, drop-in centres, home visits and groups for parents. It also provides food parcels, clothing, household goods and help with winter fuel bills.

People are wonderful. As the pandemic has dominated the news and everyone’s thoughts, here at Chichester Diocesan Association for Family Support Work we have been amazed at how so many people from across Sussex have come forward to offer help to the 400 families we are supporting in so many new ways.

As the outbreak started, our fundraising events began to be cancelled and our income started drifting away. Then the archbishops closed the churches and our partner, The Diocese of Chichester, had to follow the order. Suddenly all the collection points for our food bank were gone. As schools closed, activities such as after-school clubs and drop-ins, vital links and support for parents and children, had to stop. Finally the face-to-face support for the families had to go as well.

Like everyone else, we turned to the phones - WhatsApp, Zoom and Facebook - to ensure our practitioners were accessible to the families, many now self-isolating because of pre-existing medical issues.

The vulnerable nature of our families means our work is needed more than ever as families come together in unusual and trying situations. We have a new mother on her own with her three-week-old baby, unable to access support from family and friends, another mum with two autistic children and two pre-school children living on the third floor of a building with no lift. For some families in the early days the novelty for children of having mum and dad at home together was great - and there is a positive side to having time together - but as time moves on the strains will tell.

What is remarkable is how people have responded. First there was a cheque for £5 with a note saying “I normally give food at church but I can’t, please use this to top up the food store”. Then there were more and, without being asked, the people of Sussex started to send money in and the immediate worry was gone. We could restock the food bank. We have received more than £20,000 but with our shop closed and all our events cancelled this income is vital.

Fairfax Properties contacted us. They wanted to help. Could they go shopping to top up our food bank? They have come to us twice now and each time the van has been full, not just with food but toiletries, sanitary products, everything that we might need to keep a family going.

A supporter came forward with the offer of short-term accommodation for anyone needing to leave the home to escape tensions and abuse.

The Sussex Community Foundation’s funding has come to our support with a grant for £5,000 that has enabled us to increase the number of deliveries across the county. At a time when we only hear bad news, we need to remember good things are happening too. Yes, we are just at the start of a challenging time and here at FSW we know that, during the lockdown, life will change and for many families, these changes are going to be hard. It is also clear that demand for the support from FSW will grow in the coming months but as long as our partners, friends and the people of Sussex are there to help us and sustain us, we will be there for those families we can help through the coming months.