FreeShop Crawley

FreeShop Crawley is a supermarket providing food, toiletries and baby essentials without any associated costs. In early 2019, one of our Co-Founders experienced a financially difficult time. Being professionals (a teacher and a policeman), they did not qualify for any additional support. Their eldest daughter had been diagnosed with many allergies, and it was costing a fortune. It became almost impossible to feed her the food that she needed to stay healthy and safe. In addition to this, the looming letters from school about trips, the fear that the children’s feet would grow and new shoes would need to be bought, and having to cancel clubs and dodge activities with friends that cost money were all causing sleepless nights and a world of guilt. The family reached out to a range of agencies for help, and whilst they were sympathetic, it became apparent that they did not qualify for any support. More and more daily essentials went on credit cards, and there was one consolidation of debt after another, bills piling up, and phone calls being ignored. Finally, things got too much; their mental health and marriage had taken a beating. Exhausted and feeling hopeless, they got advice from a debt management programme, and they finally confided in their family, who, of course, helped and supported them. They are now doing well, but for so many who share the same story and situation, their ending is not as rosy. Over 100,000 people a year attempt suicide to escape debt. For whatever reason, they have ended up drowning in debt, they are unable to receive financial support, and they saw no way out. During the last few years, our other Co-Founder, Claire, was a rock for Laura-Jane and their friendship blossomed through the tough times, and they became more like sisters than friends. Claire is passionate that children receive the daily essentials, no matter the financial standing of their parents and wider family. It was out of this friendship that FreeShop was born.