May 12th, 2026.



Paula Woolven, the founder of several local initiatives, including the Havens Community Hub and Havens Food Cooperative, is highlighting a crisis facing the charities that residents rely on every day.

Paula says that across the UK, the charity sector is facing a perfect storm from rising costs, a £1 billion drop in public donations, and the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund all placing immense pressure on local services. In Sussex, the impact is visible, from service adjustments at St Wilfrid’s Hospice to the impending closure of the aviary at Raystede and the loss of the charity, You Raise Me Up, due to a lack of ongoing financial support.

UK major charity closures rose by 73% in 2024/25, with 151 charities closing compared to 87 the previous year. But for Paula, this isn't just about statistics, it’s about people. Her own project, the Havens Food Cooperative, which rescues surplus supermarket food for local residents and groups, narrowly survived a closure threat last year. "We provide nearly half a million pounds worth of food to our community every year," Paula explains. "To think that could have vanished, leaving families hungry and perfectly good food going to waste, is heartbreaking. We want to be here for our community, but the current funding system is making it harder for every town to get its fair share."

James MacCleary, MP for Lewes, Newhaven and Seaford, recognises the issues: "These figures show a sector under real strain, with rising costs, falling donations, and shrinking government support. When charities close, it’s not just organisations we lose, but vital support for those who need it most. At a time of record demand, Ministers should be stepping up, not stepping back. I will be pressing the Government to ensure charities get the support they need, in every community, not just a select few."

Paula is concerned that the incomparable replacement for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is too narrow, targeting only a few specific neighbourhoods, rather than supporting the crises affecting every town. "We need joined-up thinking," says Paula. "Crisis doesn't have a postcode. We are asking for a funding model that recognises the incredible work being done in every corner of our county, ensuring no community is left behind in these challenging times."