Make Change Count - supporting homeless people in Brighton & Hove

If you’re concerned about homeless people in Brighton & Hove, Make Change Count is a great way to help.

Through 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.

Running since 2016, Make Change Count is the city’s combined fundraising campaign that provides much needed funds to local charities who support and prevent homelessness.

Better for everyone

Make Change Count does 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 that is needed to give a homeless person 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.
  • Social Interest Group Equinox – Brighton Women’s Service provide trauma informed supported accommodation to women experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantages.
  • 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 (CTS) – Brighton & Hove's only day centre for 16-25 year olds experiencing homelessness. Based in central Brighton, it's a safe place where young people who have nowhere to call home can get their immediate needs met for food, showers, clean clothes and access to longer term support.
  • YMCA Downslink Group - Accommodation, support and advice.

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 food, access to shower facilities, healthcare, clothing and a wide range of practical help, based on individual needs.

Concerned about anyone sleeping rough

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.

It’s 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.

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 food, access to shower facilities, healthcare, clothing and a wide range of practical help, based on individual needs.

Vital part of the city's homeless support

Councillor Gill Williams, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Housing & new Homes Committee, said: “We believe it is everyone’s right to have somewhere decent to live.

“We are facing a national housing crisis like no other and it’s clear this has a serious impact in Brighton & Hove.

“The work of all the charities involved in Make Change Count is a vital part of the support on offer to anyone facing homelessness in our city.

“By donating to Make Change Count, you can be sure your generosity is directly helping support people to move away from rough sleeping in Brighton & Hove.

“This year’s campaign has already raised more than £4,500. Many thanks to everyone who has donated.”

Find out more

Related news