Brighton & Hove charities unite to tackle homelessness

Eight of the city’s most impactful charities are once again joining forces in a powerful citywide campaign helping people facing homelessness in Brighton & Hove.

Running since 2016, Make Change Count provides much-needed funds to local charities who support and prevent homelessness and offer people the safety, support, and stability they need to move forward.

Whether it’s a hot meal, a clean set of clothes, a safe place to sleep, or long-term recovery support, Make Change Count ensures donations go straight to where they’re needed most.

Donate to Make Change Count 2026/2027

Make Change Count

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.

How your money makes a difference

Every single penny donated to Make Change Count goes directly to helping people in need, so no money is used on admin, and every charity involved contributes to the campaign at no cost.

Donations are used in practical, immediate ways and support long-term recovery:

  • £5 provides someone sleeping rough with a hot meal, drink, and a warm welcome
  • £10 buys clean clothes and toiletries for someone in crisis
  • £25 funds a one-to-one support session with a frontline worker
  • £50 helps someone access safe emergency accommodation for the night
  • £100 supports long-term recovery from mental health treatment to tenancy support or addiction services

It takes time, care and compassion to help someone move away from rough sleeping. Outreach workers guide people to the right accommodation and services, where they can begin to heal from the trauma of life on the streets and start rebuilding.

Working together to make a bigger impact

Councillor Gill Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Make Change Count is a fantastic initiative that brings together 8 of the most impactful charities across our city, united by a shared goal: supporting people experiencing homelessness in Brighton & Hove.

“Every donation to Make Change Count provides direct, practical support to help people move away from rough sleeping and towards a more stable future.

“If you want to make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness in our city and be confident that your donation is being used effectively, please consider supporting Make Change Count.”

Fabia Bates, Clock Tower Sanctuary CEO, said: "We are excited to be the charity hosting Make Change Count’s fundraising page for 2026 - 2027. 

“This incredible campaign has raised more than £100,000 to support local homelessness charities like us, helping to provide the support, services, and safe spaces that people experiencing homelessness need to reach their full potential. 

“Like each charity that makes up this campaign, we make a bigger difference when we work together, and with your support, we can create the biggest possible difference in the lives of people facing homelessness here in Brighton & Hove."

The Make Change Count charities

Your contribution is shared equally between these 8 frontline charities:

  • Antifreeze – Off The Fence Trust: Offering afternoon and evening outreach with access to essentials like hygiene facilities, showers, laundry, clothing, and structured support to help people move towards independence.
  • BHT Sussex: Supporting people sleeping rough with accommodation, mental and physical health care, and addiction recovery – delivered through their day centre, housing projects and prevention teams.
  • BWS: SIG Equinox – Brighton Women’s Service is Brighton & Hove’s only accommodation-based service for women with high support needs experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantages. The 18-bed service improves outcomes for women through a trauma-informed and recovery-focused programme that promotes independence, resilience and community engagement, enabling women to recover and live well.
  • YMCA Brighton: The city’s oldest housing charity, supporting more than 400 people a year with advice, accommodation, coaching to prevent homelessness and move towards independence.
  • Sussex Nightstop: Offering same-day emergency accommodation in host homes for 16- to 25-year-olds, preventing rough sleeping and keeping young people safe.
  • The Clock Tower Sanctuary: The only day centre in Brighton & Hove for 16 to 25-year-olds experiencing homelessness – a welcoming place offering food, clothes, showers and emotional support.
  • YMCA DownsLink Group: Working across Sussex and Surrey to prevent youth homelessness and improve mental health – offering safe homes and support to build skills and confidence.
  • Change Grow Live (CGL): Helping people move off the streets and into the right services – providing ongoing support to reduce repeat homelessness and rebuild lives.

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.