Pinch Points is a participatory research project focused on improving support services for residents of Lewes District facing financial challenges including food insecurity. It puts local residents with lived experience of using support services at the centre of efforts to drive positive change.
This work follows on from ‘Feeling the Pinch’, which gave ordinary people from across Lewes District the opportunity to share their stories and experiences of the cost-of-living crisis. Read more about Feeling the Pinch here.
Pinch Points is funded by Lloyds Foundation and run in partnership with Lewes District Food Partnership, Sussex Community Development Association, East Sussex County Council, Church Action on Poverty, Fitzjohns Food Bank and Malling Food Bank.
What happened in Phase 1?
In the first phase of the project, we recruited 22 participants and completed a first set of four workshops across each of the three locations in Lewes District: Newhaven, Seaford and Lewes. The workshops primarily focused on building confidence within the group, sharing experiences, identifying areas for change and developing priorities.
Drawing out key themes
We analysed our detailed workshop notes and categorised what participants told us into themes and sub-themes. Looking at these themes, we considered how closely they match the aims of the Pinch Points project, whether there was a clear action that could be taken, how long any change might take, whether the issue is operational or systemic, the strength of participant interest, and the potential influence that project stakeholders could have over the issues. We then generated a diagram that maps the themes and shows the interconnections between them (see right).
Compassionate contact
Participants shared that services seem to operated with double standards regarding tolerating abuse. They also observed a lack of internal communication and a lack of flexibility and accountability across several services. It was highlighted that just one bad experience could cause a service user to avoid contact, and for their wellbeing to be affected.
“You have to find out everything the hard way, by trial and error, you feel like a lab rat.” – Newhaven participant
“Communications from the council were threatening… a debt order was sent due to an increase in council tax, but the notification and reminders were not sent.”
– Lewes participant
Access to information
Knowing what help is available, understanding how to access or apply to it, and concerns that older people are less likely to seek it out. There was also a desire to understand how the council’s spending works and transparency on key issues.
“It would be good to have more and longer support at Meridian Centre, such as digital support.” – Newhaven participant
Co-located services
Participants wanted more effective signposting or an approach whereby whoever they contacted could confidently link them up with the right service. Positive examples were services that had wide appeal: the fact that users were accessing for different reasons had an equalising and less stigmatising effect.
“It would be good to have more and longer support at Meridian Centre, such as digital support.” – Newhaven participant
Digital navigation
Participants raised that accessing the internet and devices was still an issue, as well as the ability to use these or navigate within services (like websites, apps or online forms) and importantly a sense of alienation through lack of face-to-face or over-the-phone provision.
“Digital exclusion and less face-to-face interaction makes them feel worthless because they are an afterthought in provision.” – Seaford participant
What’s next?
The next series of workshops are beginning in February 2025, bringing together participants from all locations to knit together the issues that have been raised so far. We will start discussions with policymakers to develop an understanding of the wider context, including barriers and opportunities. We plan to prepare to present the group’s priorities at a central discussion forum in the next few months where participants and stakeholders across policy and local services will be in attendance.
If you have any questions about the project or would like to be involved, please contact: natalie.pearson@sussexcommunity.org.uk.
