Help people who are rough sleeping in the city
Make Change Count is an alternative giving campaign raising awareness of how to help people who are rough sleeping without giving money directly on the street.
You can help by texting 19UMCC 3, 5, 10 or 20 to 70085 for a £3, £5, £10 or £20 donation or donating online at bit.ly/makechangecount2019
Professional help
The campaign links local charities providing professional help to people who are rough sleeping. Professional help gives anyone who is rough sleeping the best chance to rebuild their lives and move away from the dangerous existence of living on the streets.
Donations are shared equally between:
- St Mungo’s
- BHT
- Sussex Nightstop
- Equinox
- Antifreeze
- The Clock Tower Sanctuary
- YMCA Downslink Group
- YMCA Brighton
- Umbrella Brighton & Hove
Funds will be used for clothing, toiletries, food, individual support, day centre services and much more. No funds raised will be used for administration of the charities.
Working together
Cllr Clare Moonan, lead councillor for rough sleeping, said: “We’re working closely with our partners to make sure vulnerable people on the streets are offered the help they need.
“Make Change Count offers residents and visitors to the city a way to make sure their generosity helps people to move away from rough sleeping. The alternative giving campaign provides options and information to help people decide how best to give their money, if they choose to do so. It’s not about telling people what to do.”
Andy Winter, chief executive BHT, said: “Begging is not about rough sleeping. It is about addictions. Begging feeds addictions and provides a disincentive to seeking and accepting help. People give money for the best of motives but at best they are helping to sustain addictions and rough sleeping. At worst it provides the means to acquire the drugs that could kill them.
“Those giving money can be conned by those begging. A sign that says that someone needs £20 to book into a hostel is a great begging pitch, but it is untrue. No hostel in Brighton charges upfront. But £20 will be enough to feed a drug addiction for a short while.”
Donate today
Text 19UMCC 3, 5, 10 or 20 to 70085 for a £3, £5, £10 or £20 donation or donate online at bit.ly/makechangecount2019
Last year’s Make Change Count raised more than £40,000 and made a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Make Change Count is supported by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner.