Supporting homeless people in Brighton & Hove
Make Change Count is the city’s combined fundraising campaign that provides much needed funds to local charities who support and prevent homelessness. It has been running since 2016 and is supported by Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner and Sussex Police.
Make Change Count does three things:
- It offers a great alternative for people who want to give change to people who are rough sleeping, but recognise that their money can do more.
- It facilitates the 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.
You can make a donation via the campaign Justgiving page
The charities involved in Make Change Count include:
For adults
- Antifreeze – Off the Fence’s afternoon and evening outreach and day centre
- BHT Sussex – day centre, residential rehabilitation, mental health services, specialist housing & legal services and learning and training initiatives
- Equinox – women’s only high support accommodation
- YMCA Brighton – advice, support, guidance, accommodation, training and education for adults and young people
For young people
- Sussex Nightstop – short-term accommodation in welcoming homes
- The Clock Tower Sanctuary – Brighton’s only day centre for 16 to 25 year olds
- YMCA Downslink Group – advice, support, guidance and accommodation
The most effective use of your money
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 we all contribute to the campaign at no cost. Contributions are used to provide food, access to shower facilities, healthcare, clothing and a wide range of practical help, based on individual needs.
Outreach workers and street services guide people experiencing homelessness to access the right accommodation and services 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.
What else can you do?
If you don’t have spare change to support this campaign, or want to do more than make a donation, there are other ways you can help homelessness in our city:
- If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough in England or Wales, contact Streetlink via www.streetlink.org.uk – the details you provide are sent to the local authority or outreach to help them find the individual and connect them to support.
- If you’d like to volunteer for a homeless charity in the city, take a look at the volunteer roles we currently have available.
