Family Support Work exists to help vulnerable families living in Sussex who are facing difficulties in their lives. They provide real emotional support to parents/carers and children while also providing real, practical support. 

Family Support Work told us that one mother they support, who is a single parent, had been suffering with mental health problems, partially due to her isolation in Rother. While she had previously lived in big cities, she  had to adapt to a relatively reclusive lifestyle when she moved to Rother, particularly as public transport was limited. 

Family Support Work provided her with taxis to her GP surgery, to local family and baby groups as well as to her holiday at the MU Caravan. This has allowed her to connect with groups and people that she previously would not have been able to see, cutting down on her self isolation and helping to stabilise her mental health.

Music Well CIC provides music therapy for people throughout the Rye area, with a range of different activities that can be as meditative as they are cathartic. Providing a series of fantastic creative workshops, they have been providing some real results for the local people. One member of Music Well revealed to us a story about one of their participants:

“One member of Music Well’s online singing group, who had recently lost his wife, said that Music Well gave him a reason to carry on living. He felt desolate during the pandemic and utterly alone. His regular sessions with the Music Well reintroduced fun and laughter into his life. He could fully participate and importantly could give to others as well as benefitting himself. He is delighted to be out the other side of his suicidal thoughts.”