The Sussex Innovation Centre team has been working to support the grassroots community organisation Lewes Coronavirus Volunteers (LCV) with its current crowdfunding campaign, which is raising money for foodbanks and accomodation for key workers in our local district council of Lewes during the Covid-19 pandemic. If you can afford to, please consider making a donation via the crowdfunding page.

Started just six weeks ago by local resident Emma Amies, LCV has co-ordinated a remarkable community effort, with 1,200 members and 600 volunteers (more than 10% of the entire adult population of the district) providing help to anyone in Lewes who is vulnerable or in need as a result of Covid-19. Activity has expanded from supporting and maintaining 3 foodbanks, to directly supporting NHS frontline staff and carers, and building a database of wellbeing, mental health, financial and legal advisors. A board of five trustees is in place and experienced key staff recruited, all providing their time and energy for free.

Working in partnership with the Trinity church in Lewes, the group has received a small grant from local government to help it with its rapid expansion, but additional funds are still needed to build the necessary infrastructure, as demand for its support continues to increase.

“I cannot overstate the contribution LCV efforts have made to keeping people safe and supported,” said Lewes District Council Leader, Zoe Nicholson. “Since the outbreak began, the council and other public services have been working around the clock to respond to the challenge of Covid-19. It is people such as LCV who have been the heroes of this outbreak and made sure that no one in the community is left without the support they need.”

Visit the Crowdfunder page here to learn more and make a donation.