OUR WEEKLY COMMUNITY ACTIVITY UPDATE

Of the 55 referrals/requests for assistance received this week, we were pleased to help on 49 occasions.

We were unable to help 6 clients this week, but signposted them to places where they could get help.

We purchased a tumble dryer for a family who have little money, and who are caring for their grandmother who requires her bed to be changed several times a day. A tumble dryer will help the family keep on top of the laundry. We paid for the dryer from Woodger Trust grant funding.

We purchased two sofas for a family who had everything condemned by an Environmental Health Officer after an infestation of mice. The family had no money to replace the sofas. They are so happy to have comfortable  furniture to sit on. We purchased the furniture with Woodger Trust grant funding.

Of the 49 referrals/requests for assistance received this week, we were pleased to help on 43 occasions.

During March we worked 552 hours on community business and travelled 1249 miles in the course of doing our community work.

We purchased exercise equipment  for two very autistic boys. Mum was trapped at home with them because it was impossible to take them out safely on her own. Being able to exercise will help the boys to self-regulate and also give them lots of pleasure. The equipment will mean a happy home. Woodger Trust grant funidng enabled us to make this purchase.

We had a high demand for clothing this week, with many parents telling us that they are unable to replace their children's clothing and shoes as they grow.

Additionally, Tesco donated many useful items that we can store for use at Christmas.

Of the 36 referrals/requests for assistance received this week, we were pleased to help on 30 occasions.

We helped an elderly couple who had to dispose of most of their goods because of a rodent infestation.  Environmental Health asked us to help. We purchased bedding, a double and a single bed, chest of drawers and a wardrobe. The gentleman was so pleased with our help he rang twice to say how happy he was and that he never expected any help, he had resigned himself to having to do without the items they had lost because they had no money to replace the furniture. We used Woodger Trust grant funding to purchase the items needed. 

We helped a Mum by finding a little desk for her 4-year-old daughter who was scared by witnessing her mother’s domestic abuse. She loves colouring and drawing makes her feel happy. Woodger Trust grant funding paid for the desk and chair.

Of the 33 referrals/requests for assistance received this week, we were pleased to help on 28 occasions.

We delivered furniture to a young man who had been homeless for a number of years. He had been provided with a flat and was being supported to cope with the responsibilities of having his own home. He was delighted with his furniture and sent a special message saying how very happy he was. The Woodger Trust funded this donation.

We had a number of families this week fleeing domestic abuse that needed clothing, and we were able to help them with items from our stores.

We helped a Mum fleeing domestic abuse by purchasing a bike for her little girl who had to leave all her toys behind. This donation was funded by the Woodger Trust.

We purchased a backpack for a young man living in a tent who had all his belonging thrown into the canal. He had managed to get help from other agencies but needed something to put his belongings into so that he could carry them about with him. This donation was funded by the Woodger Trust.

Of the 34 referrals/requests for assistance received this week, we were pleased to help on 25 occasions.

We purchased an electronic game for a young man who  had been treated badly and who had become very aggressive - his professional support noticed that he became calm and happy when given a chance to play games. This game will help him progress in his journey to regulate his behaviour.

We helped a family with a sick child (who needed their bed changed many times a day). Mum could not  keep up with washign and drying bedding and it was making her depressed, she has 3 other children. All are happy now with the tumble dryer we gave them.

We helped Occupational Therapy with a chair for a lady who needed a wooden chair in order to do essential exercises to help her walk.

We also helped Occupational Therapy with a two-seater recliner sofa in leather for a double amputee. It is a great comfort to him as he starts a very different life.

In February we worked 376 hours on community business and travelled 686 miles to undertake our work.

Of the 33 referrals/requests for assistance received this week, we were pleased to help on 27 occasions.

We gave the children of  a refugee family  living in poverty beautiful home-made quilts made by a member of the Community Craft Group. The family were so touched that their support worker wanted us to know how much these quilts meant to the family. "Something they will treasure for the rest of their lives because they were made with love and looked so beautiful."

We were given 10 boxes of new trainers and tops from Goods for Goods.  We have already given out some tops, and these have been well received  - nice and warm and smart.

Hyde Housing Association are to give us £100 for pants, and their offices have also collected new pants for families.

The family leaving Woman's Refuge we helped with small electric goods and bedding had everything they owned destroyed by the abuser.  We helped them with some essential items for their new safe home. The girls were especially excited by a new sandwich toaster.

Of the 33 referrals/requests for assistance received this week, we were pleased to help on 28 occasions.

We provided some storage boxes to help a Mum start tidying her home and demonstrating that she can care for her children. Mum was not coping with looking after her children but with a bit of support she is turning things around. The storage boxes are just one step on that journey.

A family of 4 children had outgrown all their clothing. Now they all have a full set of everything including underwear. The children were very excited, even the 13-year-old girl who got some trendy outfits.

A double buggy will help Mum to transport her youngest two children to the GP surgery. Both children are quite poorly and need regular medical intervention. The buggy has really helped make Mum's life easier.

Of the 32 referrals/requests for assistance we received this week, we were pleased to help on 25 occasions, with 5 complicated requests  awaiting the arrival of missing items.

We had an emergency call for nappies and wipes for a female refugee living in Tangmere. She had used her last nappy and had no money to buy more. We were able to come to her aid.

We supplied a double buggy to a mum fleeing domestic abuse. She had had to leave everything behind when she fled for her life. In her temporary flat in the middle of nowhere she was isolated with 2 small children. The buggy has meant she can get out, shop, meet people, and go to the playground. Mum said it has changed her life, made the children happy, and helped her to see a better future.

We gave a lightweight stroller to a mother who lives in a flat on the fourth floor (no lift) with her 18-month-old daughter who has sclerosis. She was trapped. With our help she is now able to enjoy going out with her daughter, who loves looking at buses and cars driving past as they go for their daily walk.

We helped a Mum who has escaped domestic abuse, and put together a uniform so that she could get a job working in a cafe.

We helped Early Intervention support a family in which 4 children have been neglected and are on a Child Protection plan. We supplied bedding and clothing for all the children. This has helped Mum who was struggling and has opened the door for the Intervention Team to start working with Mum to look after her children. 

In January 2026 we worked 217 hours on community business and travelled 402 miles to complete community work.

Of the 41 referrals/requests for assistance we received this week, we were pleased to help on 35 occasions.

We gave a double amputee a leather armchair, which will give him comfort.

There was great need this week with most of our requests coming from families and individuals with nothing.

Match My Project agreed to allocate funds for 6 irons and 6 microwaves.

We received £20,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund. We are immensely grateful to the National Lottery for their support

We helped a family with furniture. They had to leave their home because of mould.  Their young son was admitted to hospital because he was unable to breathe. The family lost everything in their home because it was contaminated. 

Of the 36 referrals/requests for assistance we received this week, we were pleased to help on 28 occasions, and in addition are working on several more.

V2 Radio are doing a 'Beds for Kids' appeal in March on our behalf.

We gave a lot of warm clothing to the homeless in Chichester, both men and women.  The numbers are growing weekly. Many are sleeping out in all weathers. Many have mental health problems.

We are giving a single bed with a mattress to a family with 2 children aged 3 and 6 years. They are on a Child Protection plan due to neglect. One child is currently sleeping on a mattress on the floor and the springs have gone and it is extremely uncomfortable.  This will make a difference to a little boy getting a good night’s sleep.

Local publishing company John Wiley is giving us Easter Eggs this year for families in need.

Application made to 'Match My Project' for irons and microwaves.

Professional partners (e.g. social services, early help, housing associations) have been informed about our Easter Eggs for families in need initiative.