Quarter million boost for Hastings charities
Almost 20 organisations that provide vital support to people in and around Hastings have received a cash injection from Southern Water.
Latest winners of Hastings Goodwill Fund
A community panel of local residents helped Sussex Community Foundation to allocate grants totalling more than £270,000 from Southern Water’s £1m Goodwill Fund for Hastings and St Leonards, set up to support the community following last May’s water outage and previous flooding incidents.
The funding follows a previous distribution of £120,000 to festivals and events in Hastings and St Leonards, and more than £380,000 to local businesses affected by the flooding and water outage. The final round of grants is due to open for applications on 17 April 2025.
The community panel asked that priority was given to projects tackling homelessness, financial hardship, mental health and wellbeing challenges, and those supporting young people and families, under-represented sectors, and older residents.
Grant recipients, who have each received sums of up £20,000, include:
- Transom Trust
- Sensory Soft Play
- Hastings & St Leonards Men’s Shed
- XTRAX (Hastings & Rother)
- The Eggtooth Project
- Clean Water Action Group Hastings and St Leonards
- Sustenance
- Hastings Emergency Action Response Team CIO
- Education Futures Trust
The money will be used to fund activities and projects including an after-school club for children with special educational needs, supported housing for families experiencing homelessness, wellbeing sessions for vulnerable young people, and the development of a central advice hub to help people with challenges related to debt, health and housing.
Education Futures Trust in Langham Road supports low-income families by equipping them with skills and knowledge to manage household expenses, access essential services and join support programmes to reduce financial strain.
CEO Zoe Jackson said more than 25% of Hastings children live in low-income families, compared to around 14% nationally, and demand for the charity’s services was increasing.
She said: “We deeply appreciate Southern Water's generous grant, which allows us to continue supporting families as they navigate significant challenges. Our work is dedicated to helping families identify their needs, access essential services, achieve financial stability, and nurture early play and communication skills critical for development. In today’s difficult climate, this support is more important than ever.”
Meanwhile, Hastings Emergency Action Response Team CIO will use its award to develop its Community Info Hub. Based in Hastings Town Hall, the Hub offers support and guidance to people facing issues related to disability, lack of transport, poverty, or language and literacy barriers.
Finance and Fundraising lead Alastair Fairley said:
“Thousands of people visit the Hub each year to get vital help accessing services, information and support across a huge range of areas. Meeting this demand is a constant challenge, so Southern Water’s help will make a big difference.”
Sussex Community Foundation received more than 80 applications for this round of funding.
Hannah Clay, Head of Grant Programmes, added:
"The overwhelming response to this programme highlights the significant need for this kind of support. We’re delighted that this additional funding for Hastings and St Leonards is helping to fund important local causes and strengthen the voluntary sector, which plays such a crucial role in the community."
We have also announced a multi-million pound investment plan for Hastings to reduce flood risk, keep taps flowing and cut storm overflows. The proposals include the installation of 25km of new water mains, upgrades to Rock-A-Nore and Galley Hill pumping stations and the refurbishment of 500m of sewers in the area.