Community Hub

1 About us

West Sussex County Council established the Community Hub in March 2020 during the COVID 19 pandemic to ensure all West Sussex residents had access to food and essential supplies.

The Community Hub continues to provide residents with individually tailored information, advice and guidance. Helping with a range of queries by directing people to local services whilst encouraging those in need to access longer term support and prevent future crisis.

Open 365 days a year, our team of officers are also able to support with queries and applications linked to the schemes we currently support including:

• the Household Support Fund
• the Homes for Ukraine Scheme 
• Smoke Free West Sussex

2 Homes for Ukraine

West Sussex County Council supports eligible families, couples and individuals leaving Ukraine in response to the current situation.

The Community Hub helps Ukrainian guests and their UK hosts by:

• arranging host and guest accommodation and safeguarding checks
• administering host payments and guest support information
• offering advice and guidance about the Homes for Ukraine Scheme

3 Household Support Fund

From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, the UK government has made funding available to county councils and unitary authorities in England to help vulnerable households with essential costs.

The primary objective of the Fund is to provide crisis support to vulnerable households in the most need with the cost of essentials. The secondary objective is to provide preventative support to prevent vulnerable households from falling into, or falling further into, crisis.

The Community Hub is responsible for the administration of the application-based element of the scheme. Residents in West Sussex can apply directly for urgent crisis support through this service.

You can find more information, including how to apply, on the Household Support Fund page.

4 Cost of living

The Community Hub offers support and advice to anyone who needs help with the cost of living.

5 Useful links

Government links

• Cost of living hub (GOV.UK)
• Get help with the cost of living from your local council (GOV.UK)

Food banks

• Trussell: Ending hunger together

Wider support

• UKHarvest: West Sussex signposting

Citizens Advice

• Citizens Advice - free and reliable advice in West Sussex

Carers support

• Carers Support West Sussex

District and borough links

Adur and Worthing

• Cost of living support (Adur and Worthing Councils)
• Getting support (Adur and Worthing Councils)

Arun

• Cost of living resources available - Arun District Council
• Arun Wellbeing - provided by West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council

Chichester

• Help with finances (Chichester District Council)
• Supporting you (Chichester District Council)

Crawley

• Help with money worries (Crawley Borough Council)
• Crawley Borough Council support - West Sussex Energy

Horsham

• Cost of living support (Horsham District Council)
• Horsham District Wellbeing - provided by West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council

Mid Sussex

• Cost of living support (Mid Sussex District Council)
• Mid Sussex Support - Welfare Together

6 Privacy notice

You can find details about how we use and manage your personal data on our privacy notice.

7 Contact details

For general enquiries, including information, advice and support, contact us by telephone or email.

For financial support through the Household Support Fund, visit our Household Support Fund page to complete the online application form.