Celebrating Community: Chagossian Fund information session brings people together

Earlier this month, Sussex Community Foundation and Crawley Community Action hosted a Chagossian Fund Information Session at the Bewbush Centre in Crawley. The event brought together community members and local organisations to showcase the inspiring projects and activities being delivered through the Chagossian Fund.

Attendees heard from a range of local groups currently supported by the fund, including Citizens Advice, Limitless Youth Football Club, Crawley Community Youth Service (CCYS), Ethnic Minority Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS), and TiZilwa Kids Club. Each shared how their projects are supporting Chagossian individuals and families in Crawley and other parts of Sussex.

The afternoon also featured information stalls from other organisations such as the Crawley Family Hub and Crawley Community Action’s Social Prescribing team, giving attendees a chance to network and explore other forms of support available locally.

We were honoured to be joined by the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Dr Tim Fooks, who gave an inspiring speech praising the commitment of local groups in the Chagossian community.

“It was lovely to see such a well-attended event and for the community to share ideas about other activities they would like to see funded. There was a really positive feel to the afternoon, and the Chagossian food and musical performance to end the event was wonderful.”

Lucy Rayner, Grants Officer at Sussex Community Foundation

The Chagossian Fund gives grants to grassroots projects supporting Chagossian people living in Crawley and other parts of Sussex. To learn more, visit here.

Crawley CAP Centre

Crawley CAP Centre offers debt counselling, supporting their clients by offering financial advice until they are debt free.

Working with 300 families

Since their opening the Centre has worked with over 300 families. Statistically over 65% of their clients had waited over a year before seeking help with their debts. Over 60% have gone without heating or hot water, 65% sacrificed meals and 50% considered or attempted suicide due to debt stress.

Impact from Covid-19

In recent times the whole Crawley community was impacted severely by Covid-19, especially with the temporary closure of South Terminal in Gatwick Airport. Redundancies and loss of employment increased the reliance on credit, creating a debt spiral. 80% of CAP clients are on an income lower than the national average. And more than 65% live below the poverty line. Their face-to-face support services take place in people’s homes, reaching the most isolated and vulnerable who may not otherwise engage with these types of services. Their budgeting courses helped people living on tight incomes manage their money and take control over their finances, effectively preventing an increase in personal debt.

A session held at CAP Crawley

“Our service is in high demand due to the ongoing Cost of Living and energy crisis. This grant allowed us to increase our impact in our community and give more people practical advice and support through financial struggles.”

(Member of staff at CAP)

Read B's Story

B found it hard to get a job and was struggling with bills and living costs. resulting in missed payments and debt increase.

B was eventually connected to CAP and, like all CAP clients, he was given a personalised financial plan and budget with the support of a debt coach. But the Centre’s service for B went beyond debt support. Not only did CAP helped B find employment with a local food company, but when B was to be made homeless, alternative housing was found through the partnership with the local church.

Throughout the various challenges faced by B, Crawley CAP Centre remained one of his advocates, working with his creditors to relieve the pressure and setting up payment options.

“If anybody gets themselves in a pickle with their finances I would highly recommend going to CAP - there is no judgement, they are supportive and will direct to the people that can help to sort out things.”

A beneficiary

For more information visit Crawley CAP's website:

Crawley CAP Centre

Crawley Open House

They are a valuable resource in the Crawley area to accommodate and support those who have fallen through the cracks.

The hostel residents are offered three meals every day as well as tea, coffee and snacks. For many of them eating properly is a vital part of their rehabilitation. People who are referred or are known to the team are offered food parcels to tide them over their period of crisis. Typically, Crawley Open House gives out between 60 and 70 food parcels per week, and most of what they give out was donated from individuals, companies, retailers, Fareshare and other community groups.

The average length of stay in the hostel is eight or nine weeks, and in that time the residents work closely with the staff to find a more permanent accommodation. Progress is also made on some of the issues which made them homeless in the first place, and the staff aim to create a warm, safe, healthy and supportive environment for them. Many talk about the food as being a highlight!

A member of staff writes: “It is remarkable how much progress many of them make during their stay at Crawley Open House. Many arrive anxious and fearful, and often malnourished and quite unwell, especially if they have come straight from the streets. Having a safe place to be and being able to sleep, eat, shower and enjoy the company of others, means that they can usually find themselves in a far better place, and more able to deal with the next chapter of their life.”