Special Guests: 

- Michelle Lucas, Only Dogs Ltd - an award winning Dog grooming business on Lingfield High Street.

- Sami Ella Bristow, Blossoms Brunch & Coffee - a thriving community cafe in Godstone adept at navigating the challenges of rising costs & the sinkhole!

Plus Roundtable Featuring: Maureen Jones, Micaela Leal, Georgie Lucas, Aga Es, Abigail Chapman-Miller, James Tidy & Magdalena Rahman. Host: Clive Hilton. 

The high street is not dying because people do not care; it is changing because online convenience, rising costs and shifting habits make old retail models hard to sustain. We hear from local business owners and residents on what is really squeezing independents and what a more service-led, community high street could look like. 

• rising costs for small businesses, from VAT and wages to commercial utilities and rates 
• the impact of disruption and access, including road closures and parking pressure 
• why taking on a shop lease feels like high-stakes risk versus reward 
• how service businesses like grooming and hospitality keep footfall local 
• the Amazon effect, price gaps, reviews and the lure of next day delivery 
• fast fashion, returns culture, waste and sustainability on the high street 
• what people miss most, from Woolworths to M&S, and what would bring them back 
• realistic optimism around quality, community spirit and younger generations 

Do follow us on Spotify. Let us know what you think of these episodes as well and future topics that we should cover. Tell us what do you think? Leave a comment below or click on send a text.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

 SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back from the debate to Spotlight a Charity or in this case a local social initiative FALB (Find A Local Business) helping local independent businesses thrive. This SPOTlight compliments the Roundtable episode which lands Sunday 24 May, where we get into the High Street and challenges facing local businesses.

We go to Maidenbower Park Community Club in Crawley to join the fortnightly Friday FALB networking event - a grassroots community meet-up that makes supporting local businesses feel easy, social, and genuinely useful. Along the way, we talk about the real challenges independent traders face, including the quiet loneliness of working from home, and why a simple coffee chat can unlock collaboration, referrals, and confidence.

We also spotlight the below local businesses (please use the chapters to skip to relevant):

- Emma Hollamby, Emma Hollamby Photography: www.emmahollambyphoto.co.uk

- Michaela Bottner, Bloem Clinic: www.bloemclinic.co.uk

- Katy Clarke, Green Serene Beauty Therapy and Tropic Skincare with Katy: www.tropicskincare.com/katyclarke

- Tammy Hall, Stitched By T: @stitched_by_t

- Zoe Mills, Zoe Mills Photography: www.zoemillsphotography.com

- Amanda & Greger Young, Health Matters UK: www.healthmattersuk.co.uk (authors of 'Understanding Andropause' and 'The Men in Menopause')

- Rasa Maria, French Tutor at www.interlangue.co.uk AND Seamstress @recouture

To search for local businesses or to join as a member contact Nichola and the team at www.findalocalbusinesscrawley.co.uk

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

Special Guest: Shariff Boolaky, Menshare Listening Group & BRING YOUR SH*T host.  Plus Roundtable Featuring: Maureen Jones, Micaela Leal, Abigail Chapman-Miller, James Tidy & Iqbal Khan. Host: Clive Hilton. 

If your mental health has felt heavier in the last few years, you are not alone and you are not “too sensitive”. We sit down as the Sussex & Surrey Soapbox roundtable to talk about what anxiety, burnout, loneliness and depression look like on the ground across Sussex, Surrey and the wider UK, and why so many people feel isolated even with constant digital connection. 

Shariff from Menshare Listening Group shares what he hears week after week in facilitated listening circles: the hidden impact of divorce, parental alienation, custody battles, addiction, overthinking and the quiet slide into emotional shutdown. We also talk directly about men’s mental health and suicide prevention, including what helps when someone looks like they might be at serious risk, and why simply crossing the threshold into a supportive room can be a turning point. 

Psychotherapist Maureen Jones breaks down early warning signs you can actually spot, from sleep issues and feeling flat to irritability and repeated “escape” habits. We explore when counselling can help, when speaking to your GP matters, and why medication can sometimes be the breathing space people need to start recovery. Abigail shares lived experience of CPTSD and the complicated role of diagnosis culture, plus what changed when therapy finally became the right fit at the right time. We finish with practical coping tools that work for us: gratitude, nature, routine, discipline, creativity, faith, and reaching out before things spiral. 

If any of this hits home, share the episode with someone who might need it, subscribe for more community conversations, and leave a review to help others find Sussex & Surrey Soapbox.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

 SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back from the debate to Spotlight a Social Initiative or in this case a Charity making a huge difference in our local community.

Crawley doesn’t need to be “made cultural” from the outside, it needs the spotlight put on what’s already here and the space to build what’s next. We’re joined by Louise Blackwell, Creative Director at Creative Crawley, to talk about how public murals, playful festivals, and unexpected art in everyday places are changing how the town feels to live in. If you’ve walked past County Mall and spotted the changing window installations, picked up the Book of Crawley, or heard people rave about Around The Lake Festival, there’s a good chance you’ve already met Creative Crawley without realising it.

We get into the practical work behind inclusive community arts: making events free or genuinely affordable, partnering with Arts Council England and Crawley Borough Council, and designing projects that welcome people with any level of confidence or experience. Louise shares the thinking behind using Crawley as a canvas, from resident-led ideas to collaborations that connect communities through making, including garment projects with women from Afghan and Ukrainian backgrounds. We also talk about what “access” really means, and why bringing culture closer to home can foster a positive, creative vibe to the town.

Then we dive into what’s coming up:

1) Saturday 20 June: A youth open day by CCYS and Creative Crawley, exclusively for ages 12 to 18 to explore. 10-2pm at the Dormans Youth Arts Centre.

2) Thursday 11 June: A town-wide call to 'play' between midday and 2pm as a launch moment for a future National Festival of Play with Hemingway Design. From playing instruments and board games through to playing sport - Creative Crawley would love to recieve your pictures and clips.

3) Weekend 25 & 26 July: Crawley Fusion Mela, with Creative Crawley curating Saturday’s programme in County Mall. 

Find them at @CreativeCrawley and www.creativecrawley.com, send in your play photos and clips, and tell us what you want Crawley to try next. If you enjoyed this, please subscribe, share with a friend, and leave us a review.

Episode Picture Credit: Ian Greenland

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

 Roundtable Featuring: Michelle Lucas (Special Guest), Maureen Jones, Micaela Leal, Georgie Lucas, Aga Es, Abigail Chapman-Miller, James Tidy & Magdalena Rahman. Host: Clive Hilton. 

Social media can make grown adults talk like strangers at war, and we’ve all felt that shift. Around our Sussex & Surrey Soapbox Roundtable, we dig into a blunt question: does the internet reward conflict more than community? and is it warping local democracy in the process?

We talk through what the run-up to the 7 May local elections looked like from the front line, including the personal cost of campaigning when online abuse escalates into accusations, slurs, and lazy labels that replace real policy debate. James and Abigail share how quickly people jump to “Nazi”, “transphobic”, or worse, and why that kind of reductionistic language doesn’t just hurt feelings, it discourages good people from standing for office at all. We also explore the tribalism that turns politics into a football match, where winning the argument matters more than understanding the neighbour.

Then we pull back the curtain on the incentives: algorithms, rage bait, bots, and the odd reality that longer angry comments can be worth more than simple support. We debate anonymity and accountability, including the legitimate need for anonymous profiles in situations like domestic abuse, while still calling out how “purple pomegranate” accounts can poison community Facebook groups. We also widen the lens to loneliness, generational change, and what constant screen time is doing to children’s imagination and social skills.

If you want a thoughtful, honest conversation about social media algorithms, online trolling, free speech, community cohesion, and the future of political debate, press play. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave us a review then tell us where you draw the line between free expression and responsible speech.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

 SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back to Spotlight a Charity or in this case a Social Initiative making a positive difference in the local community.

Amanda Foster, Youth Worker In Charge with Crawley Community Youth Service (CCYS) shares why they recently adopted a neglected local train station and how quickly things improve when people decide to care. For this SPOTlight we’re outside Ifield Station in Crawley on a sunny day as the Adopt a Train Station project kicks off, bringing together local residents, youth workers, and young volunteers who want their station to feel cleaner, safer, and more welcoming. You’ll hear why visible fixes like litter picking, tackling graffiti, and better lighting are not just cosmetic changes but signals that a place is being looked after.

Rowena Tyler, Arun Valley Line Officer from Southeast Communities Rail Partnership explains how station adoption works, what support is available, and how volunteers can turn ideas into action through planning help, grant guidance, and partnerships with rail operators. Along the way, kids share what they’re excited to do and why “one small thing” can add up to something bigger.

We also hear Parveen Khan support this brilliant initiative with appreciation and recognition of the young volunteers. Positive impact is possible when communities stick with it - gardening groups, artwork, heritage restoration projects, and friendships that start with a single litter picker. If you’re in Sussex or Surrey and you travel these lines, there are stations still waiting for adopters, including Littlehaven, Crawley, and Three Bridges. 

Subscribe for more local stories that turn frustration into action, share this with someone who loves their neighbourhood, and leave us a review with one change you’d like to see at your local station.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

 SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back to Spotlight a Charity or in this case a Social Initiative making a positive difference in the local community.

We’re joined by Hamzah Khan, a Crawley local and the driving force behind Crawley Muslim Network, to unpack what real community support looks like when you prioritise dignity, access, and trust. Hamzah, shares the positive impact of how just one quiet food pack delivery can change how someone feels about asking for help and how a whole town thinks about its neighbours. 

We talk about food poverty in Crawley and why some people avoid a traditional food bank even when they desperately need support. Hamza explains how their Ramadan food parcels are booked privately and delivered straight to ANYONE who needs support - direct to their home, removing barriers like transport and embarrassment -- The results are staggering: a jump from just under 500 parcels last year to more than 1,400 food packs this year, delivered by a 30-person volunteer team. 

Clive & Hamzah also reflect on why serving the wider community matters, and how visible acts of Muslim charity and volunteering can counter stereotypes, reduce hostility, and strengthen community cohesion across Sussex & Surrey.

The conversation then turns to education and empathy through film, with details of a community screening of 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' an Oscar-nominated film built around a recorded emergency call from Gaza - special screening at Cineworld, Crawley on Saturday 9 May - The aim is learning not arguing, with profits going to charity and an open invitation to anyone who wants to understand more and explore perspectives.

*** For tickets, search: 
The Voice of Hind Rajab - Crawley
Or via: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/qalamgroup/2144049

If you value local action, honest conversation, and practical ways to bring people together, subscribe, share this with a friend in Crawley, and leave us a review with your thoughts.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

In this Homelessness Part 2 episode, we continue the conversation with Ian Wilkins, Crawley Open House and Michelle Harfield, Turning Tides to explore what truly helps people move beyond homelessness—and why simply offering a roof, without long-term support, can sometimes do more harm than good.

Together, we unpack homelessness as a complex, non-linear journey—more “snakes and ladders” than straight path—and examine the structural and human realities that shape it. From the shortage of affordable housing to the unintended consequences of the benefits system, we look at why escaping homelessness is often far more difficult than it appears.

We discuss why stable accommodation must be paired with tenancy sustainment, life skills, and meaningful relationships; how digital exclusion and poor-quality temporary housing create additional barriers; and why models like Housing First—bringing support directly into the home—are proving transformative.

The conversation also explores harm reduction, addiction recovery, and the realities of relapse, including Iqbal’s powerful lived experience of addiction, prison, and recovery with the support of a Naltrexone implant. Along the way, we challenge the idea that people can simply be “fixed,” and instead highlight the importance of long-term, person-centred support.

We also look at innovative approaches like Skywaves in Worthing, where self-contained flats are paired with 24/7 support, and reflect on the critical role of employment, purpose, and positive relationships in rebuilding lives.

Finally, we turn to what members of the public can do—offering practical, thoughtful ways to help that protect dignity and increase safety. From small acts of kindness to using tools like StreetLink to connect people with outreach teams, we explore how compassion, when paired with understanding, can make a real difference.

We also share ways to support organisations like Turning Tides and Crawley Open House through donations, volunteering, and community involvement.

Roundtable Featuring:  Special Guests - Michelle Harfield (Turning Tides), Ian Wilkins (Crawley Open House), Iqbal Khan, Aga Es, Maureen Jones & Micaela Leal Host: Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

 SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight a Charity or in this case a Social Initiative making a positive difference in the local community.

Sheet music can be a comfort blanket, but it can also be the thing that stops people from showing up. We talk with Hannah Carter, Managing Director at Ensemble Reza about the Crawley Music Collective, a welcoming community music project where anyone can walk in, pick up an instrument, and start creating improvised music together. No auditions, no pressure, just a room full of people listening hard and building something new in real time.

Hannah shares how Ensemble Reza balances there concerts with deep community work and school music, reaching thousands of children, then zooms in on what makes this collective special: the moment a single rhythm becomes a full-room melody. Augustus, just 10 years old, puts it perfectly, describing how “one person starts playing and then someone else joins” until the whole space feels like it’s making music by magic. He also makes a strong case for beginners: you do not have to feel “musical” to start, you just need the willingness to try.

We also dig into the multicultural heartbeat of the group, where Iranian, Turkish and Greek instruments can sit side by side, and the sound becomes a kind of shared language. Along the way we cover practical ways to join, what happens if you do not own an instrument, and how professional musicians guide the sessions so nobody gets left behind. If you care about inclusive music education, wellbeing through music, and building real community in Crawley, this one will leave you wanting to grab a guitar and turn up.

More information: https://www.ensemblereza.com/events/cmc190426

If you enjoy this SPOTlight, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show AND come join the conversation 'Sussex & Surrey Soapbox' on Facebook.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

In this first episode of two parts, we sit down with special guests Michelle Harfield, Turning Tides and Ian Wilkins, Crawley Open House for a candid, eye-opening conversation about the real causes of homelessness in Sussex & Surrey — and why the story we often hear barely scratches the surface. In the next episode we will tackle escaping homelessness and the services provided by Turning Tides and Crawley Open House.

Together, we challenge common assumptions, moving beyond the narrow image of rough sleeping to uncover a far more complex reality. From the quiet instability of unsafe housing to the long, uncertain stretches in temporary accommodation and hostels, we trace the real pathways into homelessness — shaped by childhood experiences, trauma, sudden financial shocks, and a cascade of life events that rarely happen in isolation.

We explore:

• your 500 comments in 48hrs to our blunt Facebook post across a number of local groups 'Why are so many homeless in this town?' 
• why “homelessness” extends far beyond life on the streets 
• how it’s rarely a single cause, but a compounding series of setbacks 
• the often-hidden role of childhood trauma and adverse experiences 
• addiction as both a coping mechanism and a consequence — not a simple cause 
• how Crawley Open House maintains clear boundaries to keep residents safe 
• how Turning Tides uses harm minimisation to reduce risk and support recovery 
• the scale of hidden homelessness in Crawley — and why “temporary” housing can last for years 
• the impact of evictions, the Renters’ Rights Act, and the shift from Section 21 to Section 8 
• why early support — from families to children’s mental health services — is key to long-term prevention 

If this conversation resonates with you, follow us on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts.

Roundtable Featuring:  Special Guests - Michelle Harfield (Turning Tides), Ian Wilkins (Crawley Open House), Iqbal Khan, Aga Es, Maureen Jones & Micaela Leal Host: Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

We explore how divided are we as a society? and hear from a number of voices with soundbites from:
- Maz, ex Anti Nazi League Member, supporting the Gaza march 22Feb
- 'G', a local patriot Dad who has had enough of the 'hotel economic scam'
- Hampshire Resistance, at the Horley Protest alongside 'G' on 22Mar
- Tim Charters, Chair of Reform UK, Crawley
- Richard Biggs, Conservative on immigration
- Abigail Chapman-Miller, Labour sharing an example of racism observed

Plus the Rountable conversation with:
- Iqbal Khan, founder of Tess' Kitchen
- James Tidy, Vice Chairman Reform UK, Crawley
- Paul Taylor-burr , Stand Up to Racism, Crawley
- Clive Hilton, Host

A children’s charity fundraising walk in Tilgate park raises thousands for families in Gaza. A 'Stop The Boats' protest in Horley a month later - we tackle the underlying motivations, facts & fears to understand - how divided are we really? and is there any common ground.

Through on-the-ground soundbites from Tilgate 22nd Feb, the protest outside the Four Points hotel in Horley 22nd Mar, through to snippets from our Local Elections episode -- we hear how quickly good intentions can collide with fear, frustration, and deeply held beliefs.

We sit down with voices from all sides - Paul, a FreeShop volunteer and anti-racism advocate, challenges sweeping claims about migrants and crime. James from Reform UK in Crawley pushes back against being labelled “far right” and responds directly to accusations around NHS privatisation. Between them, a bigger question emerges: when did disagreement turn into distrust?

We also dig into the data—reading from a Sussex Police Freedom of Information response on crimes linked to hotel sites—and ask what the numbers actually show, and where assumptions take over. Iqbal shares lived experiences and from there, the conversation turns to the realities of immigration and asylum policy: the difference between the two, the pressure on local services, and why faster, fairer Asylum processing could be part of the answer.

But this isn’t just about policy. It’s about perception. From St George’s flags to slogans like “Stop the Boats,” we unpack how symbols meant as pride by some are experienced as provocation by others—and how that gap keeps widen with a few jumping on the bandwagon.

If you care about reducing friction and division in our community, are curious to hear perspectives and the future of local debate, this episode doesn’t offer easy answers—but it does ask the questions many people avoid.

Subscribe for more grounded local conversations. Share this with someone who sees things differently. And tell us: what’s one point both sides could actually agree on?

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

We talk frankly about why life in Sussex & Surrey seems to get more expensive every month — from energy and water bills to rent, trains and the weekly shop. We share the everyday frustrations people are feeling and the practical ways households are trying to cope, cut waste and push back against rising costs.

In this episode we cover:

• Rising utility bills and the debate around Net Zero and infrastructure
• House prices, the rental squeeze and what it means for younger people
• Commuting costs and train fares that feel worse value each year
• Grocery inflation, shrinkflation and ways to reduce food waste
• Council Tax rises, public services and the wider cost-of-living pressures

We also have some fun myth busting:

• The optimal thermostat setting at home (and Peter the Heater)
• Our shopping habits & the fury at self-serve checkouts
• How 'out-of-date' would you eat a yogurt to save wastage? 

Roundtable Featuring: Graham Dearing (Special Guest), Maureen Jones, Georgie Lucas, Iqbal Khan, Aga Es & James Tidy. Host: Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

 SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight a Charity, Social Initiative or in this case an inspiration in the community.

It's Easter Monday. A lively teenager Poppy May feels a sudden pain in her back. Within weeks, she can no longer move or feel anything from the waist down.

Eight years later, that same teenager is lining up at the start of the Brighton Marathon in a racing wheelchair. Two weeks after that, she’ll do it all again at the London Marathon.

This episode lives in that contrast.

Not a highlight reel, not a tidy comeback story — but an honest, unfiltered look at what it actually takes to keep going when life changes overnight.

Poppy shares her journey with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), what daily life really looks like when your upper body carries the full load, and how marathon training changes when every mile is powered by your arms and shoulders. But beyond the physical challenge, we get into what people don’t often hear about: years of serious mental health struggles, time spent in psychiatric care, and the long, difficult shift from simply surviving to actively choosing recovery.

Poppys message is simple, but not easy: support matters — but the decision to get better has to come from within.

We also talk about the power of community, finding gratitude in the small things, and how you can be part of her journey. Poppy shares why she’s raising money for St Catherine’s Hospice, how to support her fundraising, and how to follow her progress on race day (Brighton Marathon, bib number 32429).

Please connect/follow Poppy May on Socials... If you care about mental health, disability sport, or the impact of community and hospice care, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends... Poppy is truly inspirational.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight a very personal story from Sean Orr.

Cancer doesn’t just happen to the person with the diagnosis. It happens to the partner making the calls, the spouse lying awake, the carer holding it together in public and falling apart in private.

We sit down with Sean Orr the man behind Menshare Listening Group, speaking not as a facilitator or coach but as a husband supporting his wife Lise Orr through a rare, incurable cancer that moves towards multiple myeloma. Sean walks us through the moment their world changed, the long stretch of uncertainty between symptoms and answers, and the brutal reality of treatment. We also talk about the part that rarely gets named: the hidden trauma of caring, the pressure to “stay strong”, and what it costs when you run on autopilot for too long.

From relationship strain and the loss of normal routines to the fear of what comes next, Sean keeps the conversation grounded and practical. He shares coping strategies for caregiver stress and carer burnout, including honest self-check-ins, counselling, hypnotherapy, safe ways to release emotion, and why talking to the right people can be life-saving. We also signpost real support for cancer carers across Sussex & Surrey, including Macmillan, carer services, The Olive Tree, complementary therapies, and local listening circles.

If you’re caring for someone with cancer, or you love someone who is, subscribe, share this with a friend, so more carers can find the support they deserve. THANK YOU.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

One in four adults will face a mental health problem each year, but numbers don’t capture the quiet part: the loneliness, the slow slide, and the moment someone realises they’re not coping. From the Red Lion & Cellar Room in Betchworth, Surrey, we talk plainly about mental health in Sussex & Surrey and why it’s showing up more in everyday life, workplaces, and friendships.

Maureen Jones, a psychotherapeutic counsellor, shares what she’s seeing more of: anxiety, depression, isolation after Covid, and that undercurrent of not belonging. We dig into early warning signs many people miss, like broken sleep, irritability, comfort eating, zoning out, and feeling emotionally numb. We also come back to one simple habit that can cut through all the awkwardness: asking “Are you okay?” and meaning it.

Our special guest Graham Dearing from Menshare Listening Group tells his story, from pushing through school and building a high-pressure finance career to hitting a point where “buckle down and work harder” stopped working. He talks candidly about imposter syndrome, unrealistic roles, trying different medications and therapies, and why empathy and confidentiality in peer groups can be the support that finally lands. We also discuss barriers to workplace help, concerns about privacy, and the bigger picture around crisis care, including NHS plans for mental health A&E and the need for proper follow-up and long-term talking therapy.

If you’re looking for support, we point to Menshare Listening Group and Sistershare across the area, and Maureen wraps up by sharing practical guidance on finding properly qualified private counselling through the Counselling Directory. 

**ADDITIONALLY since recording this Roundtable discussion we managed to catch up with Sean Orr, Menshare Listening Group Founder AND also hear the inspirational story of Aaron Delahunty, Fight Hub Felbridge and the coaching work he offers locally... added to the end of the Roundtable conversation** 

Does this important conversation resonate with you? subscribe & share it with someone who needs it, and leave us a review (please).

Roundtable Featuring: Graham Dearing (Menshare Listening Group), Maureen Jones, Georgie Lucas, Iqbal Khan, Aga Es & James Tidy. Host: Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

Sussex & Surrey Soapbox – SPECIAL: Local Elections Roundtable, Featuring: 

Cllr Richard Biggs (Conservative) - Leader of Reigate and Banstead BC, Councillor for Horley West and Sidlow.

James Tidy (Reform UK), Vice Chairman of Reform UK, Crawley.

Cllr Abigail Chapman-Miller (Labour) - Parish Councillor & sits on East Surrey Executive Committee.

Cllr Mark Smith (Independent) - Councillor in Redhill and sit on Reigate & Banstead BC.

Cllr Bob Lanzer (Conservative) - West Sussex County Council Councillor and cabinet member for Public Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Crawley BC.

Hosts: Tony Williams, Clive Hilton and thank you to Jacq Inwood for production assistance.

--

Only 1 in 3 people vote in local elections… yet the outcomes shape our everyday life — from the state of the roads and high streets, to the cost of your housing and even how quickly you can see a GP.

So why do so many people feel disconnected from local politics?

In this special episode, recorded in Copthorne ahead of polling day on 7 May, we bring together voices from across the political spectrum — Conservative, Labour, Reform UK and an Independent councillor — to move beyond slogans and confront what residents across Sussex and Surrey are actually saying.

We put the real, unfiltered comments from local Facebook groups to the panel and challenge them to respond to the issues people care about most — and the answers aren’t always comfortable. Tony and Clive help turn up the heat to ensure a BS, word-salad free answer!

From housing pressures and crumbling infrastructure to immigration, council tax and the growing toxicity of online debate, this is a frank, grounded conversation about trade-offs, accountability and whether local leaders are truly listening AND serving the community.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your vote across Sussex & Surrey really makes a difference — this episode is for you.

Please share with others and we would love to hear 👉 What one change would improve your town most?

Key Topics:

• 90-second pitches from Conservative, Labour and Reform on priorities and misconceptions 
• Raw resident feedback 'what ONE thing need fixing in this town': potholes, roads, housing, drugs, lack of leadership, councils/councillors, litter, high street decline and immigration (well over 50 responses).
• Housing crisis: supply vs affordability, social housing and rising rents 
• Infrastructure lagging behind development: roads, GPs, schools and transport 
• Local government shake-up: unitary authorities, devolution and democratic accountability 
• Party politics vs grassroots councils: should local decisions be less political? 
• Social care pressures, stretched budgets and the reality behind council tax rises 
• Potholes and road maintenance: funding, quality and long-term fixes 
• Immigration and asylum: hotel use, processing delays and policy tensions 
• Civility in politics: social media toxicity and its impact on public service 
• Gatwick expansion: economic opportunity vs local impact

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight Iqbal Khan 'Q' and the volunteers behind Tess’s Kitchen in Crawley, from its “Spag Bowl Sunday” beginnings to serving around 40 hot meals three times a week. We also hear from people relying on the food, and why dignity, chat, and being seen can matter as much as dinner. 

• the value of hot food when you are sleeping rough 
• Scott’s experience of losing work and housing fast 
• Jamie and Amlish on judgement, work, and rebuilding 
• volunteers on rotating cooking, water, donations, and inclusion 
• why the service is for anyone struggling, not just rough sleepers 
Just get out there and do it.

Iqbal Khan is also one of the Sussex & Surrey Soapbox Roundtable members. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

This is not a typical episode - sharing a brief soundbite of a Roundtable discussion which aired on Mother’s Day... **jump to the last 90 seconds where Iqbal shares a heartfelt message to his sister, partner and mum! 

We discuss upcoming St Patrick's Day compared to St George's & St David's Days along with the state of national pride and reflect on Ramadan.

A listener left a voice-note after last weeks International Women's Day which sparks a deeper conversation about women’s success at work, fairness at home, and whether gratitude sometimes hides the mental load.

Roundtable Featuring: Graham Dearing (Guest), Maureen Jones, Georgie Lucas, Iqbal Khan, Aga Es & James Tidy. Host: Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

What does teaching really look like in a modern secondary school?

In this episode, Amanda, a passionate teacher from Surrey, shares an honest look at life inside today’s classrooms. From 30+ student classes and rising SEND needs, to the behaviour challenges that emerged after COVID, she explains what teachers are really dealing with and why the story is far more complex than headlines suggest.

We talk about the fragile partnership between schools and parents, why the “teaching has gone soft” narrative misses the bigger cultural shift, and what it actually takes to help a mixed-attainment class succeed without leaving anyone behind.

Amanda also shares practical advice for families, why resilience matters more than ever, and how small habits at home can make a huge difference to a child’s confidence and learning.

If you care about education, inclusion, and raising resilient young people, this episode offers clear insight straight from the classroom.

10 Key Points

1) Classrooms now regularly include 30+ students with a wide range of learning levels and needs

2) Post-COVID changes have affected student resilience, focus, and behaviour

3) Behaviour systems only work when parents and schools work together

4) The “teaching has gone soft” narrative overlooks wider cultural changes around authority

5) Rising SEND diagnoses may reflect better recognition rather than overdiagnosis

6) Teachers spend significant time adapting lessons for mixed-attainment classrooms

7) Resilience and confidence grow when students face challenges rather than avoid them

8) Simple habits at home—like checking homework apps and discussing the news—support learning

9) Funding pressures and teacher retention are shaping the reality of schools

10) Even sports day matters, teaching children how to handle both winning and losing

Roundtable Featuring: Amanda (guest), Georgie Lucas, Micaela Leal, Jacq Inwood, Maureen Jones & James Tidy. Host: Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

On International Women’s Day 2026, this roundtable with special guest Maggie Chen (Founder of GIC, www.girlsincharge.co.uk) goes far beyond celebration. Under this years IWD theme “Give to Gain,” the panel explores what equality really looks like — at work, at home, and in the everyday moments that shape confidence and opportunity.

From career-defining champions who opened doors, to uncomfortable debates about whether progress has gone “too far,” the conversation doesn’t shy away from tension. The group unpacks the gender pay gap, unconscious bias, networking advantages, and the often-invisible mental load women carry at home.

Stories of quiet advocacy — someone “sending your name into a room you’re not in” — reveal how small acts of generosity can transform careers and lives. At the same time, the discussion challenges partners, families, and workplaces to rethink roles, responsibility, and recognition.

Is equality about identical outcomes? Is feminism creating friction? Do men feel pushed out? And what does it truly mean to “give” in order to gain — as individuals, couples, and communities?

This is an honest, multi-generational conversation about respect, responsibility, and the role of partners in building a more balanced future. 

10 Key Points:

1. International Women’s Day is more than a checkbox.
It should spark action that lasts all year, not just symbolic recognition.

2. “Give to Gain” isn’t just about money.
It’s about advocacy, visibility, time, mentorship, and emotional support.

3. Career-defining champions matter.
Having someone advocate for you in rooms you’re not in can change the trajectory of your life.

4. The gender pay gap is complex.
Legal equality exists, but cultural patterns — networking habits, caregiving roles, self-selection — still influence outcomes.

5. Networking advantages aren’t neutral.
Informal, after-work networking often benefits men more due to differing home responsibilities.

6. The invisible mental load is real.
Women frequently carry the cognitive burden of planning, anticipating, and managing household life — even when tasks are shared.

7. “How can I help?” can feel like another task.
Delegating help adds to the mental load; shared ownership works better than reactive assistance.

8. Equality conversations create discomfort — and that’s part of growth.
Some men feel blamed; some women feel overdue recognition. Honest dialogue is necessary.

9. Appreciation may matter as much as redistribution.
For many, feeling seen and valued is as important as dividing chores evenly.

10. Respect is the foundation.
Whether at work or at home, progress depends on mutual respect, partnership, and shared responsibility.

Roundtable Featuring: Maggie Chen (guest), Georgie Lucas, Micaela Leal, Jacq Inwood, Maureen Jones & James Tidy. Host: Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

Are weekend trains in Sussex and Surrey actually fit for purpose—or are passengers being short-changed? In this lively roundtable, a train driver pulls back the curtain on why weekend rail travel feels so broken.

10 key aspects we tackle:

1. Why weekends feel worse than weekdays
   Delays, cancellations, diversions, overcrowding—listeners’ lived experience clashes with “acceptable” official stats.
2. The engineering works problem
   Weekend closures are constant, but poor coordination turns necessary maintenance into total network chaos.
3. Staffing myths vs reality
   It’s not drivers “pulling sickies”—Sunday working contracts and rostering rules leave services fragile.
4. A fragmented rail system
   Too many companies, too many silos—operators, Network Rail, leasing firms and contractors all passing the buck.
5. Fares that feel like a rip-off
   UK rail tickets are expensive and painfully complex, leaving passengers confused and overpaying.
6. Victorian infrastructure in a modern world
   Outdated tunnels, ageing signalling and underinvestment make the system fragile—and weekends pay the price.
7. Will renationalisation fix anything?
   Great British Railways promises joined-up thinking, but nationalisation alone isn’t a magic wand.
8. Automation vs human presence
   Driverless trains might be efficient—but what about safety, reassurance, and antisocial behaviour onboard?
9. The reality of being a train driver
   Extreme shift work, high responsibility, health impacts—and why drivers defend their pay and conditions.
10. What would actually make trains better
    Longer turnarounds, smarter planning around major events, real coordination between companies, and putting passengers first.

Bottom line: Weekend trains aren’t failing by accident—they’re the product of a complex, underfunded, poorly joined-up system. The question is whether the next phase of rail reform starts to fix it… or just rebrands the problem.

Roundtable Featuring: Stephen Pritchard (Train Driver), Georgie Lucas, Iqbal Khan, Aga Es, Jacq Inwood, James Tidy and Maureen Jones. Host: Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

We challenge the UK student loan model, from £66k thresholds to RPI-linked interest, and ask whether mass university still delivers value. We compare degrees to trades, examine apprenticeships and graduate schemes, and explore fixes that align education with real jobs.

• Plan 2 loans, thresholds, and interest mechanics
• Uneven outcomes between elite degrees and low-return courses
• Mortgage, income, and mental strain from long-term debt
• Retroactive loan changes and claims of misselling
• Trades and apprenticeships as high-return alternatives
• Graduate schemes demanding experience and blocked entry routes
• Funding STEM, nursing, and critical roles differently

We also reflect on wider community concerns across Sussex & Surrey for future episodes: net zero, roads, bins, homelessness, mental health...

Many thanks to the Wildwood Restaurant, Crawley for their amazing space and hospitality. 

Roundtable Featuring: Georgie Lucas, Jacq Inwood, James Tidy, Micaela Leal & Maureen Jones. Host: Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

This episode is in two parts, first Neil Munday and Clive Hilton speak to Claire Coutinho MP for East Surrey since 2019 (and Shadow Minister for Equalities since 2024) - It’s been a year since the infamous Godstone Sinkhole suddenly opened up on the High Street, closing the A25, triggering a major incident, and forcing dozens of residents from their homes. In this episode, we hear directly from locals and business owners about the ongoing impact on daily life and trade, and what recovery has really looked like behind the headlines. Claire shares her thoughts on liability, the urgency, communication, relief on business rates and traffic calming once the road re-opens, along with the pressure her office is placing on SES and the local District/County Council to get the High Street open.

The second part, we zoom out to look at the growing pothole problem across Surrey and Sussex, asking whether this kind of infrastructure failure is becoming the new normal. Former MP Henry Smith joins us to share insight from his time overseeing Highways at West Sussex County Council and what he believes needs to change to prevent future crises.

Many thanks to all our guests for their participation. Sami & team at Blossoms Brunch & Coffee, thank you for your hospitality.

Featuring: Claire Coutinho MP, Henry Smith ex-MP, Georgie, Iqbal Khan, Aga Es, Jacq Inwood, James Tidy, Stephen Pritchard and Maureen Jones. Hosts: Neil Munday & Clive Hilton. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

Fireside Chat: Henry Smith and Stephen Pritchard - Local Elections are back on!

People, Politics & Power

What really drives a politician to switch parties? Do local elections still matter to the communities they’re meant to serve? And who actually holds the power when it comes to decisions that affect your day-to-day life?

In this fascinating fireside chat, recorded a few hours before the Government abandons plans to delay 30 council elections, we bring together two voices from different sides of the political spectrum:

• Henry Smith – former Conservative MP for Crawley and ex-Leader of West Sussex County Council, who made headlines with his move to Reform UK.
• Stephen Pritchard – Labour candidate for Maidenbower, current councillor for Three Bridges, train driver of 20 years, and volunteer McKenzie Friend supporting people through the family court system.

Together, they unpack the realities behind local and national politics in a refreshingly open, grounded conversation. Henry reflects on his journey through frontline politics and the personal motivations behind his decision to leave the Conservatives, while Stephen demystifies how Unitary Authorities actually work—cutting through the jargon to explain what's changing when and who’s responsible for what.

We also tackle the bigger questions people are asking in Sussex & Surrey:
Do communities still have faith in local elections—and do they genuinely change anything? Why were the May local elections proposed to be postponed or cancelled? And what happens when youth centres close, healthcare struggles under pressure, and community spirit starts to fray?

Honest, thoughtful, and rooted in real lived experience, this episode goes beyond party lines to explore what leadership, accountability, and community really mean in 2026.

Featuring Henry Smith, Stephen Pritchard and the wider Roundtable; Jacq Inwood, Maureen Jones, Aga Es, Iqbal Khan and Georgie. Hosted by Clive Hilton. Our thanks to The Prince of Wales, Reigate for their hospitality. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

Is Flag Flying Patriotic — or a Message to Others?
The diverse roundtable take on the meaning of flag flying today — pride, patriotism, and the mixed signals it can send the wider community. Is it a celebration of identity, or does it risk making others feel unwelcome? 

From flags across Turkey to St Patrick’s Day vs St George’s Day, and the surge of national pride around football and the Olympics, the roundtable explores the intention behind flying flags across Sussex & Surrey along with what sparked the recent rise. What does it really say about us? Wide ranging perspectives and thought provoking! 

Roundtable featuring: James Tidy, Iqbal Khan, Micaela Leal and Aga Es, hosted by Clive Hilton.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight St Catherine's Hospice.

On Thursday 12th February, St Catherine’s Hospice celebrated the official launch of its new flagship superstore in Crawley town centre, marking a major milestone in community fundraising and engagement. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers transformed the former Sainsbury’s building into a vibrant 8,500 sq ft community retail space, offering everything from bridal gowns and prom dresses to books, golf clubs, furniture, clothing and more.

At the launch event, Clive Hilton spoke with Giles Tomsett (CEO), Philip Ingleby (Chair of Trustees) and Paula McGoveney (Income Generation & Marketing Director) about the remarkable success of the store in its first three weeks of trading. Thanks to overwhelming local support, thousands of donated items were received, with over 15,200 items sold in just the first few days, generating well over £50k in vital funds for hospice inpatient & outpatient care.

The conversations highlighted the charity’s ambitions for 2026, the ongoing need for sustainable funding, and upcoming community fundraising events including the much-loved Midnight Walk in June, Lego & Fire Walking on 6th March, and other ways the public can continue to support the essential work of St Catherine’s Hospice.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

The Crawley Museum Is Celebrating British Caledonian Airways (BCal)

The Crawley Museum is delighted to celebrate the story of British Caledonian Airways (BCal), one of the most recognisable names in British aviation and an airline closely linked to Crawley & Gatwick Airport. Founded in 1961, BCal grew to become the UK’s leading independent airline, connecting Britain with destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America. For many local people, BCal was not just an airline but a major employer and a proud part of Crawley’s aviation heritage.

Martin Stone from the Crawley Museum joins Clive Hilton to explain how this celebration explores the people, aircraft and identity that made BCal such a fond memory for so many. From its famous Lion Rampant logo and tartan-inspired branding to its reputation for high-quality customer service, BCal left a lasting mark on British aviation before becoming part of British Airways in 1988.

The exhibition has already attracted significant interest and runs till the 28th March **EXTENDED TO SATURDAY 18th APRIL** and is open Thursday to Saturday 10.30am to 4pm at the Crawley Museum.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

Gentle Parenting: Are We Raising Resilient Kids?
A lively, honest debate on gentle parenting — what it gets right, where it falls short, and how to balance empathy with boundaries. The panel tackles discipline, the evolving role of parents, and how to prepare kids for a tough adult world where not everyone wins. Thought-provoking, fun, relatable, and real.
 
Highlights also air on local community radio stations (SUSY 103.4).

Roundtable featuring: Georgie, James Tidy, Iqbal Khan, Micaela Leal and Aga Es, hosted by Clive Hilton.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

A brilliant community initiative for people to meet, chat and enjoy refreshments whilst getting their household items fixed and working again! It’s completely FREE and run by volunteers every 3rd Saturday of the month at Handcross Hardware and Craft, High Street, Handcross. RH17 6BL.

Clive Hilton went along to find out more. Initially understanding how Repair Cafe got started 2yrs ago from Claudia and Phil, followed by speaking with the packed room with visitors from across Sussex & Surrey getting vacuum cleaners, watches, printers, baby cams and clocks fixed by the magical volunteer 'fixers' Cliff, Chris and Dimitri. 

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

Our roundtable explores two big topics for Sussex and Surrey - Isolation in the community followed by immigration (a starter for ten, with more to come next week), plus some ideas for next Saturdays Valentine’s Day! 

Featuring: Georgie, James Tidy, Iqbal Khan, Aga Es and Micaela Leal, sharing diverse perspectives & hosted by Clive Hilton. Many thanks to the team at Prezzo, Crawley for their hospitality with this episode.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

Thank you for checking out this first episode with Georgie, Stephen, Aga & James.

We reflect on January and some of the topics that matter across Sussex & Surrey.

As it's our first group discussion we picked an easier topic - painful potholes and the infamous Godstone sinkhole that’s almost a year old!

In the future we will tackle more challenging matters shaping Sussex & Surrey  - immigration, cost of living, healthcare, local elections, the high street, crime, mental health, housing development, council tax, social media for under 16s etc..

Enjoy & Thank you!

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.