Earlier this year, Rye was fortunate in being able to secure the services of a dedicated family support practitioner, albeit part-time at three days per week. People are often surprised to learn that Rye is an area of child poverty and there are virtually no support services available with the exception of Rye Foodbank and the welfare service offered for the two hours per week the food bank is open.
Family Support Work is a Sussex Charity for children established in 1890. They provide targeted help to families who are experiencing multiple challenges in their daily lives. A family support worker will develop a relationship with a family who is struggling and endeavour to make changes to improve their situation. Their website is https://www.familysupportwork.org/
Chris Emson and her friends at St Mary’s Church have worked tirelessly fundraising to enable a family support worker to have a presence in our town. Chris says: “Families have been drastically affected by the long-term impact of Covid lockdowns. Although life for most people returned to normal, some families have found it much harder to resume normal life, particularly with regard to schooling, work and being part of social activities. The pressure on those already disadvantaged is sometimes unsupportable and something has to give.”
The family support worker for Rye is Gill Sutton and she is based at St Mary’s Centre, Rye Monday to Wednesday each week. Gill will visit families where confidence has been lost following bereavement, job loss, debt, housing problems, low income and much else. Mental health has become unsettled for many and some have become isolated as result. Gill works for those in need in Rye and district.
Gill appreciates the effect the home environment can have on the wellbeing of families. Some homes locally are in such a state of disrepair this itself causes extreme stress for parents with children sleeping in damp rooms and mould all over the walls and ceiling. Gill has been able to secure grants for home improvements and liaise with landlords to help achieve more comfortable living conditions.
In 2020, Sussex Community Foundation published a report showing that 21% of children in Rye are living in poverty, which is 4% higher than the national average and 8% higher than the Sussex average of 13%. You can read the report here.
At present there are several families in our local community trying to find the money for winter coats for their kids. Please, if you can help these families do make a donation to support Gill Sutton’s work.
Please make a donation
Account name: Chichester Diocesan Association for Family Support Work.
Account number 40257133.
Sort Code 20-12-75.
Reference (your surname) Rye.
Alternatively, you can donate online at http://familysupportwork.org/donate
There is an option after the donation has been made where people can leave a comment and you can state that you want to support Gill Sutton in Rye.
Thank you so much. This is an example of how individuals can make a difference to those in this community who are less fortunate.
Image Credits: FSW , Mags Ivatts , Family Support Work .