Make Change Count 2023: Supporting homeless people in Brighton & Hove

As we enter the second year of a national cost of living crisis, support for vulnerable rough sleepers remains as vital as ever. The work to help keep vulnerable people safe and support people to move from the streets through the Covid crisis shows what can be done with the right resources in place.

But the challenges continue as the full financial impact of inflationary increases start to bite. People are experiencing greater hardship, especially the most vulnerable in our community.

Make Change Count is Brighton & Hove's combined fundraising campaign providing much needed funds to local charities who support and prevent homelessness in the city. Its been running since 2016 and is supported by Brighton & Hove City Council, the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner and Sussex Police.

Make Change Count aims to do 3 things:

It offers a great alternative for people who want to give change to rough sleepers, but recognise that their money can do more.

It facilitates the professional help needed to give a person experiencing homelessness the best chance to get off the streets and into safety.

It supports vital charities in the city who work together to provide effective support.

The charities Make Change Count supports are:

For adults

Antifreeze - Off the Fence Trust 's afternoon and evening outreach - consisting of a day centre with IT, clothing, essential hygiene, laundry and shower facilities and a structured, progressive approach to enabling restoration and independence for those experiencing homelessness.

BHT Sussex - day centre, residential rehabilitation, mental health services, specialist housing and legal services, and learning and training initiatives.

Equinox Brighton - including Brighton Women's Service. Working in the supported living space with women experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage. The outreach team now sits within CGL.

YMCA Brighton - advice, support, guidance, accommodation, training and education for adults and young people.

For young people

Sussex Nightstop - temporary accommodation in welcoming homes.

The Clock Tower Sanctuary - Brighton's only day centre for 16-25 year olds experiencing homelessness.

YMCA Downslink Group - supported accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness in Brighton and Hove (16 – 24), wellbeing and counselling support and the Youth Advice Centre in Brighton which gives housing advice and other support to young people in the city.

Every penny donated to the campaign goes directly to people in need - no funds raised are used by any of the charities for administration and they all contribute to the campaign at no cost. Outreach workers and street services guide people to access the right accommodation where they will be further helped on a one-to-one basis to recover physically and mentally from the trauma of rough sleeping.

People need help and support to adapt to living in new ways. Helping people away from rough sleeping takes time and compassion. Contributions are then used to provide advice, support and guidance tailored to the individual including access to food, shower facilities, healthcare, clothing, accommodation and a wide range of practical help.

If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough in Brighton & Hove, contact Streetlink via www.streetlink.org.uk. The city's street outreach team will then contact them to try to offer them appropriate support and housing assistance.

Its important that anyone sleeping rough is offered help as soon as possible and that the assistance offered meets their needs. Reporting where people are through Streetlink is the best way of making sure that people get the support they need.