Horsham Matters: Helping Through a Crisis and Beyond
Horsham Matters believes no one in our community should have to face going hungry and that is why it provides three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food to local people in need, through its foodbanks. However, did you know its support goes much further than dealing with an immediate crisis?
The charity’s Community Support Assistant, Karen is trained in helping Horsham residents with the root causes of their financial problems, working with those in need to maximise their income and help them move towards a sustainable budget.
The pandemic has illustrated how easily our budgets can be stretched to breaking point, with job loss or an unexpected bill being all it takes to push us into food poverty. Karen’s role is to guide clients through their expenditure, identifying places where savings can be made.
“Food poverty can affect those from all walks of life, even those who are in work, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Often, people feel helpless when faced with poverty, but we aim to support them in finding ways to get back on track. All I am doing is giving them the tools to take control of their lives,” she says.
This can be as simple as supporting them in shopping around for cheaper utility prices, ensuring direct debits are accurate and necessary, or directing them to benefits they may be entitled to. She also works with outside agencies that provide specialist support such as Citizens Advice, Age UK or the Horsham Wellbeing Centre; signposting additional support when needed.
How Horsham Matters is making a difference:
- It runs foodbank sessions in central Horsham locations on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Operates the new Hub on the Move, a mobile foodbank visiting six rural areas, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
- Provides fuel vouchers for those experiencing fuel poverty
- Provides essential household items including furniture for those newly housed
- Operates a household budget support service
Karen adds: “The service has made a big difference to many and is just one of the ways we at Horsham Matters are making a positive and long-lasting impact on residents’ lives.”
To keep its services going the charity relies on donations, a small number of grants, and sales from its charity superstore, so support from the community is vital. To find out how you can help, go to its website at www.horsham-matters.org.uk.
