Uncovering Sussex: How evidence-based research helps Sussex Community Foundation to tackle poverty

Sussex Community Foundation commissioned our research team at Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI) to produce a Tackling Poverty report, to gain insights into Sussex's poverty levels, continuing the 'Sussex Uncovered' series.

The report establishes a baseline of data about poverty in Sussex, and the Foundation intends to use the evidence gathered in this report to inform their development as a community foundation. 

Methodology

We began our work by analysing and evaluating data under five key themes that emerged from conversations with the Foundation on their key strategic priorities for addressing poverty across Sussex. These are: 

We used our experience in producing Needs Profiles for other Community Foundations and knowledge of the data landscape to identify key metrics to analyse under those themes.

We explored data from a range of sources, including administrative datasets (data which is created or collected when people interact with public services, such as schools, the NHS, the courts or the benefits system, and collated by the government) collected by government departments, such as claimants of means tested benefits and homeless statistical returns. We also explored self-reported survey data from the 2021 Census.

Where possible, data was collected over a five-to-ten-year timeframe to allow exploration of the impacts of wider socio-economic changes and challenges over time, particularly in the context of the pandemic and cost of living crisis. 

We investigated the performance of Sussex’s Local Authorities, major towns, rural areas, and neighbourhoods, and produced our findings as a narrative analysis, supplemented with data visualisations. We used our data mapping and reporting platform, Local Insight, to simplify aggregation of data to the Sussex neighbourhoods and quickly export population statistics for the areas under review.

We chose to use this narrative-driven approach to highlight the trends and issues we discovered in a way that builds an easy to understand story of a local place. This allows stakeholders to see the woods for the trees and aids in gaining a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and how they intersect with each other. 

Findings

We identified four clear challenges faced by Sussex communities in their campaign against poverty.

Challenge 1: An ageing population

Sussex’s population is older than the national average, and the 65+ population is projected to grow by 41.3% between 2020 and 2040. Already, rising social care and poor health burdens are creating challenges for the region’s public health services. The associated fall in the working-age population will likely lead to a reduction in labour market demand and may also increase labour market costs, while the potential loss of salaried employees could reduce disposable incomes and impact on consumer spending.

Challenge 2: High levels of long-term illness and poor outcomes for those with a disability

17.6% of people in Sussex have a disability, compared to 15.6% in the South East and 16.9% in England. There is strong evidence to suggest that people with disabilities across Sussex are more likely to experience material deprivation challenges - alongside the general health challenges associated with long-term illness and disability.

Challenge 3: Inflationary pressures are contributing towards financial hardship

The region is experiencing financial pressures due to the rising costs of living, which is impacting on the availability of affordable housing and the overall cost of essentials. Those in Sussex’s rural and coastal communities are especially vulnerable to the rising costs of energy bills, with 8.2% of homes in those areas found to have had a low energy efficiency rating - more than double the national average (3.3%).

Challenge 4: Multiple deprivation challenges in coastal communities​​

Each of the eight most deprived towns in Sussex is located in coastal communities. These towns face a range of issues, from economic struggles to social welfare concerns.

Stefan Noble
Director and Head of Research, OCSI

January 2024

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Dementia Support

A recent grant of £5,000 from Sussex Community Foundation was used to fund Dementia Support's Wayfinding team in West Sussex. Their free of charge Wayfinding service provides both practical advice and emotional support to make sense of the journey ahead with dementia. Appointments are offered in-person, or over the phone, and families speak to the same Wayfinder every time - providing a familiar voice from someone who understands their specific needs. 

Deanna and Mike's story

Dementia Support customers Deanna and Mike have had a difficult year which started with Mike having a fall in April.

Deanna first noticed changes in Mike as he wasn't doing nearly as much as he would do at home, he wasn’t interested in anything and had no energy. She could see a gradual decline in his ability and his mobility.

“It was only because Mike fell in April last year that the doctors who looked after him in A&E noticed he was showing signs of dementia. They suggested I should get a referral for him to have a memory test. Mike was diagnosed with Vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s in the July, and since then we have been using the services at Sage House.”

Deanna and Mike have been attending Sage House since his diagnosis and access a full range of services to help their wellbeing. The services have been designed to help people to live well with dementia, ensuring that both the person with dementia and their carer are supported. They are supported by their Wayfinder, Caroline, to navigate the dementia journey and to ensure they can access the services they need.

“We really enjoy coming to Sage House, when Mike is fit enough, we love to come to the exercises. We join in at chair aerobics, as well as Love to Move. He tries his best and really enjoys it. The activity team at Sage House are so encouraging. We love the singing, it’s wonderful, because Amy plays some lovely songs, most of which we know. We don’t remember all the words, but you can learn a lot.”

“Sage House is just so positive, it’s nice to come here. Everybody is very friendly, and all the things on offer from the food to the whole feeling of happiness, help and support, it’s fantastic and so bright and light.”

Before Mikes fall, he used to also attend Day Breaks sessions once a week at Sage House, so Deanna could have a rest. Our Day Breaks service helps carers to have some respite from the challenges of caring for someone living with dementia.

Deanna says, “I think he is very sad he isn’t able to come at the moment as he thoroughly enjoys attending, and it was such a relief for me to know he was safe while I have some time to myself.”

Deanna is finding it hard with Mike in hospital as she worries for him and what the future holds.

“I have good and bad days; I really find it hard to think of what the future is. That's what frightens me. And what will happen after Mike leaves the hospital and comes home, how I will manage physically to support his needs. I’m grateful for Dementia Support and that I’m able to talk to Caroline, my Wayfinder, as this helps as she offers me emotional support and practical advice.”

Our Wayfinding service helps people to navigate the dementia journey, but it is not just about practical advice. It also provides vital emotional support, helping carers make sense of the challenge of dementia. As it is a free of charge service, it is reliant on voluntary income.

Hopefully Mike will be home soon and once recovered they will be able to come back to Sage House and take pleasure in the Day Breaks and activities which they both enjoy so much.

To find out more about this organisation visit the
Dementia Support website