£4.4m Given To Support Sussex's Vulnerable People Rebuild Lives

Vulnerable people across Sussex are set to benefit extra support to rebuild their lives after three councils were awarded £4.425m from the Changing Futures initiative, funded by the government and the National Lottery.

According to Sussex's three top-level local authorities, the money will be used to help change and improve the ways vulnerable people access essential support and treatment during situations that could become crises.

These include facing homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health, domestic abuse or contact with the criminal justice system. 

So-called "early intervention" appears to be a priory of the schemes.

To achieve the grant, West Sussex County Council led a funding bid, along with East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council.

The joint bid was one of 15 chosen for funding, out of nearly 100 submissions across England.

County Hall in Chichester said the £4.425m will be used over three years to deliver a programme that will develop and test a united approach approach between government and local partners aiming to improve support for the most vulnerable people.

The best practices that exist across the three authorities will look to be rolled out to ensure that a consistent and equal service is offered right across Sussex.

Councillor Amanda Jupp, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said:

“Together with East Sussex and Brighton & Hove councils we are delighted to have been successful in our bid for this funding which will help some of the most vulnerable people living in Sussex.

“We will work together to prevent people from slipping through the gaps into crisis in the three areas that have been identified as having the greatest need.

"The pandemic has only increased this need and our aim is for a consistently good service for people who are in crisis, no matter where they live in Sussex.”

Councillor Carl Maynard, East Sussex County Council’s Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said:

“We welcome this funding which will help us provide a service that deals with a range of complex needs and supports the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“By working with West Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council and sharing best practice, I am confident that this work will make a huge difference to the people of Sussex and support those in crisis to rebuild their lives.”

Councillor Steph Powell, co-chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture committee, said:

“We’re pleased to be working with our partner councils across Sussex to ensure that our most vulnerable residents can access the essential support they need.

“This funding will help us work more closely together and offer consistent and joined-up early intervention services across the county, particularly to support survivors of domestic abuse, those facing mental health issues, and those who are at risk of becoming homeless.

“Early intervention when someone is at their most vulnerable often makes a positive difference and helps people to rebuild their lives at a time when the support they require is so crucially needed.”

Early intervention, the three councils believed, will deliver better outcomes for individuals, relieve pressure on front line and acute services and deliver system-wide savings.

The Changing Futures programme is the largest funder of community activity in the UK and will provide almost £55 million to 15 local areas across England over the next three years, part of a wider £64 million programme.