Sussex & Surrey Soapbox

Clive Hilton
  • 0.0 (0)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

The 'Sussex & Surrey Soapbox' Podcast is a local roundtable plus special guests, exploring the issues that matter most. We tackle the topics that spark debate, challenge perspectives, and shape our communities — always with balance, openness, and respect. Our panel brings together a diverse range of voices to unpack complex and sometimes emotive subjects, offering thoughtful discussion, differing viewpoints, and factual insight. While we don’t shy away from the tough conversations, we believe they’re best had with curiosity, good humour, and a focus on what truly matters. Search 'Sussex & Surrey Soapbox' & join our Facebook group - a 'Village Hall' vibe with a community discussing topics from different perspectives and always with respect... keyboard warriors not welcome! You can catch soundbites from the latest episode on local community radio (SUSY 103.4, Meridian FM) - a shorter, accessible version of the podcast. The latest episode with the full conversation is available here and across all major platforms. We love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, come join us in our Facebook group, or leave a comment & subscribe via Spotify etc.... Thank you for your interest, Clive Hilton.  

  1. SPOT: Creative Crawley - Art, Play & Reimagining Our Community

    1D AGO ·  BONUS

    SPOT: Creative Crawley - Art, Play & Reimagining Our Community

    Send us Fan Mail  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.

    17 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Social Media Rewards Conflict More Than Community

    Send us Fan Mail  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.

    52 min
  3. SPOT: CCYS Adopt Ifield Station

    MAY 3 ·  BONUS

    SPOT: CCYS Adopt Ifield Station

    Send us Fan Mail  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.

    12 min
  4. SPOT: Crawley Muslim Network Community Spirit

    MAY 2 ·  BONUS

    SPOT: Crawley Muslim Network Community Spirit

    Send us Fan Mail  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.

    6 min
  5. Homelessness (Part 2): Breaking the Cycle - Real Paths Out

    APR 26

    Homelessness (Part 2): Breaking the Cycle - Real Paths Out

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

    1 hr
  6. SPOT: Ensemble Reza

    APR 21 ·  BONUS

    SPOT: Ensemble Reza

    Send us Fan Mail  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.

    5 min
  7. Homelessness (Part 1): How People Actually Become Homeless

    APR 18

    Homelessness (Part 1): How People Actually Become Homeless

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

    45 min
  8. Debate or Division? 'Stop the Boats' - 'Support the Vulnerable'

    APR 17

    Debate or Division? 'Stop the Boats' - 'Support the Vulnerable'

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

    1h 16m
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About

The 'Sussex & Surrey Soapbox' Podcast is a local roundtable plus special guests, exploring the issues that matter most. We tackle the topics that spark debate, challenge perspectives, and shape our communities — always with balance, openness, and respect. Our panel brings together a diverse range of voices to unpack complex and sometimes emotive subjects, offering thoughtful discussion, differing viewpoints, and factual insight. While we don’t shy away from the tough conversations, we believe they’re best had with curiosity, good humour, and a focus on what truly matters. Search 'Sussex & Surrey Soapbox' & join our Facebook group - a 'Village Hall' vibe with a community discussing topics from different perspectives and always with respect... keyboard warriors not welcome! You can catch soundbites from the latest episode on local community radio (SUSY 103.4, Meridian FM) - a shorter, accessible version of the podcast. The latest episode with the full conversation is available here and across all major platforms. We love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, come join us in our Facebook group, or leave a comment & subscribe via Spotify etc.... Thank you for your interest, Clive Hilton.  

Information

  • Creator
    Clive Hilton
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sussex & Surrey Soapbox
  • Show Website
    Sussex & Surrey Soapbox