In March, as Covid-19 emerged and the country went into lockdown, the Foundation launched the Sussex Crisis Fund which has given out £1.7million in grants to groups working to support vulnerable people across Sussex.

Following a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies in May it has become widely accepted that ‘per-capita Covid-19 hospital deaths are highest among the black Caribbean population and three times those of the white British majority’. Much work has been undertaken to figure out the various reasons that work together to make this the case. Certainly, the fact that Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are more likely to work in high-risk, low income workplaces are implicated. This recognition, and the Black Lives Matter protests this summer, has thrown deep-seated inequalities into stark relief. 

More to do

Along with other organisations, Sussex Community Foundation has recognised that it has more to do to ensure that the way it works, better reflects the lives of the people in the diverse community in which we all live. 

In the Foundation’s grant-making, this has meant a renewed emphasis on reaching out to charities and communities led by Black, Asian and minority ethnic people so they know that Sussex-focused funding is available to them. One such group is the Black Minority and Ethnic Community Partnership (pictured here). They received a grant for £7,810 to set up a foodbank to provide much-needed assistance to struggling families and people within the Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in Brighton & Hove. Many people they have supported live on the periphery of the wider community and have had very little support to help them through these difficult times. The food hub has become a centre for support and guidance to those people.

How can you help? 

Sussex Community Foundation is recruiting for new trustees and people to sit on its grant-making committee. The Foundation wants to benefit from the different lived experiences of people across the whole of Sussex and particularly wants to recruit, people from different communities. This might include Black, Asian and minority ethnic and LGBTQ communities, young people and those of working age, refugees and people who may have personal experience of challenges e.g. discrimination, disability, mental health issues, economic disadvantage. The aim is to keep a balance between male and female trustees so the Foundation is particularly looking to recruit women at this stage.

Please see their advert here for more information. or call Kevin Richmond, Chief Executive, on 01273 409440 for an informal chat.