Last week I met around a dozen representatives from community groups (pictured above) from Brighton and Hove.

We put the case to the Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, that the government's public sector funding cuts could have a devastating impact on some of the most vulnerable groups in the city.

I met the delegation at Westminster and we explained that community organisation is exactly what the Conservatives' ‘Big Society' should be about.

We pointed out that the work of community organisations actually saves the state cash because it supports people before their situations become critical.

The minister listened to the groups (and accepted an invitation to visit in Brighton in the future to see at first hand the work they do).

He accepted that they faced hardship at the moment, but held out a vision of greater funding, from the private sector, the ‘Big Society' Bank, and a new community grant programme.

As their local MP, I made the case that the crisis of funding was hitting these groups right now, and that his solutions were more longer-term.

Many of these organisations are tiny and simply aren't likely to attract funding from private donors.

If you live in Brighton Pavilion constituency, which I represent, let me know what you think about it at my residents' survey here.