For twenty years Horsham Matters has been helping people through crisis. From food parcels, opening 15 local food banks and providing guidance and compassion so no one in the Horsham District faces hardship alone. ‘Horsham Matters is a charity that aims to demonstrate love of our neighbour by relieving hardship through the provision of essential services to make a positive, long-lasting impact on people’s lives.’
On a bright summer morning in June, Rachael from Your Horsham sat down with Kelvin Glen, CEO of Horsham Matters, to discuss twenty years of support and growth for one of the foremost keystones of Horsham’s Charity sector.
Horsham Matters is 20 this year, a fantastic achievement, tell us how it all began?
Horsham Matters was born out of a project in which a few churches had been feeding the hungry but realised that it needed a more structured approach to ensure those they were feeding where supported and so Horsham matters was established and registered in April 2006.
And how different is the organisation today?
The needs of our clients today are more complex. Clients come to us needing support across various aspects of their lives. If we can assist them, we work closely with several other organisations to ensure that our clients are supported and receive the help they need when they need it. We started out as simply handing out food parcels and now today we are a community led organisation that walks the difficult journeys with our clients with a holistic person cantered approach to giving them support.
Kelvin has been with Horsham Matters since July 2025. His commitment, drive and infectious passion for the work Horsham Matters do is apparent to anyone who meets him.
As our interview continued, he spoke candidly about his own history: “I have lived experience of hardship myself and understand what it means to struggle. From a very young age, I made a conscious decision that I wanted to help others, particularly children and individuals who were facing the same challenges I once did. That early sense of purpose led me to pursue a career in the charity sector, a decision I have never once regretted.”
Organisations like Horsham Matters are vital in championing the wider community. Their aim is to bring hope and early support to those who are not even sure where to turn.
Tell us more about the achievements of the last twenty years and what impact you think the charity has on the wider community that perhaps most people don’t see?
Being able to serve our own community, helping neighbours who may be facing difficult circumstances, is both a privilege and a blessing. To be part of the systemic change needed to address hidden poverty and support those across the district of Horsham that are facing hardship. Horsham Matters is proud of the relationships we have established in working with various stakeholders such as West Sussex Country Council, Horsham District Council, Your Horsham, local Churches, Schools, businesses, community groups and other charities.
Hidden poverty means that the wider community is not always aware of those that are facing hardship and struggling. Our role is to support those across the district of Horsham facing hardship with emergency support from one of our 15 food banks but we are so much more than a food bank. We work with those using our food banks to try and understand the root cause of them needing to come to us. Then offer support to assist them in maximising their income. If the client is on benefits doing a benefits check, improving income, reviewing household spending and working together towards a sustainable budget and signposting to other services they can utilise.
That is above and beyond the original aims of food parcels to the hungry, what other services do you offer and is that how you spend a typical day at work?
Our community cafés in Roffey and Pulborough are warm, friendly places to meet new people and get a nutritious meal, with no charge if you are facing hardship. At the café visitors come together over a meal, increasing their social networks and confidence. Alongside this, the café provides visitors with the opportunity to chat to the advice and advocacy support staff at Horsham Matters.
Our advice staff can provide help with budgeting, benefits checks and applications, housing, signposting to other impactful services and referrals such as debt support. My focus is on supporting and empowering our dedicated team (our small, agile staff and our incredible volunteers) ensuring they have the resources, capacity and encouragement needed to provide that vital support to every person who walks through our doors seeking help.
Like many sectors in the current economic climate, the charity sector is having to adapt to rising costs, increasing demand and changing funding landscapes. Horsham Matters is no exception. While leading the organisation’s strategy, Kelvin also recognises the importance of securing sustainable funding to ensure the charity can continue supporting those who need it most.
Despite these challenges, Kelvin is passionate about encouraging more people to consider a career in the charity sector. “There are countless organisations doing incredible work across the world, all of which could benefit from individuals who bring skills, passion, and lived experience.” He believes it is a genuine privilege to build a career where you can both earn a living and make a difference to other people’s lives.
One way Horsham Matters has adapted is through innovative fundraising initiatives. In late 2021, Love it Again, a bespoke charity shop, opened its doors. Not only does it generate additional income for Horsham Matters, but it also provides affordable items for local people, including vinyl records, children’s toys, books, crockery, ornaments and a treasure trove of unique finds.
What can people do if they want to help or fundraise for Horsham Matters?
We need help to raise vital funds for our charity and people can host fundraisers, do event challenges, crowd fundraising or simply sign up for a monthly donation which goes a long way to help us support the community.
Recently Rob Blaker, our Fundraising & Marketing Manager, walked over 58 miles to all 15 of our food banks over five days to raise money for the charity. And every week our incredible volunteers give their time to help support our foodbanks and Love it Again counter. We are always happy to talk to anyone willing to help others.
Last question, but possibly the most important, who can seek help and how?
Anyone can reach out for support and self-refer via email support@horsham-matters.org.uk or WhatsApp line 0300 1240204
