Make your change count by giving to homeless charities

The charities’ research shows that best way to help someone sleeping rough is through professional help.

The latest stage of the Make Change Count campaign, launched this week, builds on an initial collaboration last year. Charities are continuing to work together to raise awareness about what support is available in the city for people sleeping rough and offering advice on how best to help.

This summer, five local charities are addressing this national issue at a local level. Brighton Housing Trust, St Mungo’s, Equinox, Nightstop and Antifreeze are highlighting the practical support available all year round in the city and how best to help rough sleepers. The campaign is supported Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police.

The participating charities say giving money on the street can be counter-productive and lead to people staying in their current situation when more effective help is available. Local organisations make sure those in need have hot meals, access to shower facilities, clothing and support from outreach workers to move people away from the street to rebuild their lives.

Speaking on behalf of the organising charities, Nikki Homewood, director of services for BHT, said: “The Make Change Count campaign is all about getting the right help at the right time for those who are sleeping on our streets. We’re sharing information on how residents can refer people they are concerned about and providing an alternative giving option to donating on the street.

“The campaign aims to help people make informed decisions when giving money or other items to rough sleepers. We are keen to make clear that we’re not telling anyone how they should spend their money, that’s a matter of personal choice.

“We’d like to share the experiences we’ve gained from many years of working with rough sleepers. We know that moving off the streets is a difficult thing to do, no matter how much people want a better standard of living. People sleeping rough are often very vulnerable and have lost confidence to plan for the future because of the circumstances they’re in. Support is needed to help people rebuild their lives.

“We’re keen to all work together to give people the best chance for the future. People understandably want to help those living on the streets, and giving to someone right in front of you is a natural reaction. But there can be better ways to help and we’re asking people to think about how they can really make their change count.”

Scott Crossley, team leader at Equinox drug and alcohol outreach team, said: “I think it is unfair to say everyone on the streets uses drugs.

“But they tell us if we hadn’t been given so much by kind people, the hard truth is it keeps people on the streets longer. They can be making £90 a day.

“It is really about getting it out there that we have got some fantastic services in Brighton."

Samira Mower from St Mungos said: “We are the commissioned outreach service for the city. We go out on the streets and work with any rough sleeper we come across. We assess them and during that assessment try to facilitate a way out of homelessness.”

She said the workers assess mental health, physical health abuse, trauma, alcohol issues and problems that can making housing difficult.

“We work really closely with organisations like First Base.”

And she said the campaign's message was important, as donating directly to the charities is often more beneficial to the homeless.

She said: “It does keep people from coming to places like First Base. It means they aren’t going to a day centre where there is a case worker who specialises in homelessness. It can be used to fund more unhealthy lifestyles. People want to help but they don’t know how."

Cllr Clare Moonan, lead councillor for rough sleeping, said: “The Make Change Count campaign can transform and, even save, the lives of those rough sleeping on our streets. In Brighton and Hove we have a wide range of services and support designed to help those in need but there is always more we can do to help. Working together everyone on this caring city really make a difference.”

Case study

Steve has been homeless for four years, but has recently secured accommodation through St Mungos.

He said: “I was married, had a car, I had stepchildren and a son of my own. My wife kicked me out.”

He then lost his job, and ended up on the streets in Brighton.

“You know when it rains so much, most people can go home and dry their clothes. Homeless people have to find shelter under a tree. We are not a third world country.”

But now he looks to be getting off the streets.

“I am a success story,” he said. “I am going to get to see my son. Not many people give them the gratitude they deserve."

He praised St Mungos, First Base and other charities for the work that they do.

“If it wasn’t for them there would be so much more death on the streets,” he said.

How you can help:

Donate today by texting UMCC17 £3 to 70070 or just.ly/makechangecount17

Contact Streetlink with information about where people are rough sleeping is a way to make sure they are known to support agencies offering professional help. The rough sleeper outreach team, run by St Mungo’s, respond to details given to Streetlink and go out to see all known rough sleepers in the city. The team discuss a person’s needs, working with them to explore options to try to move them off the streets and into accommodation. Call 0300 500 0914 or visit streetlink.org.uk