**A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Make Change Count 2020 campaign - your generosity has been phenomenal. Whilst the 2020 year is over the campaign continues. To support our 2021 campaign please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/MakeChangeCount2021 **

Right now we are facing a global pandemic and this has had a huge impact on vulnerable rough sleepers. Day centres have closed and night shelters have stopped running to prevent the spread of the virus.

At the same time, rooms have been found for anyone who is sleeping rough to help them have a safe space to follow the stay-at-home guidance.

People need help and support to adapt to living in new ways. The familiarity of friends has been limited by the social distancing rules. Support is more vital than ever.

We also need to make sure we do all we can to make sure no one feels they have to return to the streets when the coronavirus crisis is over. Helping people away from rough sleeping takes time and compassion.

We know that the best chance for a homeless person to get off the streets and stay off the streets is with professional help. Making sure help reaches homeless people is far more effective than giving money to people directly. Make Change Count is a way for you to make that happen.

Help us help others, by giving to charity not on the street. Everyone needs help sometimes. Help homeless people in Brighton & Hove to get off the streets by giving to local charities.

The Make Change Count local organisations work together to provide dignity and respect to vulnerable people who are living on the streets, homeless or at risk of homelessness. With direct action, practical help and compassionate personalised support, these professionals provide a real chance for people to rebuild their lives in a safe environment.

The Make Change Count campaign makes a difference by:

1. Helping people who are rough sleeping to access support services available in the city and to move away from the streets for good

2. Encouraging an alternative option to giving directly to individuals on the street

3. Asking residents to let Streetlink know where to find anyone in need so tailored help can be offered (more details below)

Money raised as part of this campaign will be shared between the participating organisations: Brighton Housing Trust, St Mungo's, Sussex Nightstop, Equinox, Antifreeze, The Clock Tower Sanctuary, YMCA Downslink Group, Umbrella Brighton & Hove and YMCA Brighton.

All money donated to the Make Change Count campaign goes to people in need in our city. 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 to access the right accommodation where they will be further helped on a one to one basis to recover physically and mentally from the trauma of rough sleeping.

No funds raised are used for administration of the charities or the campaign. If £5 is donated, then £5 will go to people in need.

Make Change Count has been running since 2016 and is supported by Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner and Sussex Police.

If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough in England or Wales, you can use the Streetlink website to send an alert. The details you provide are sent to the local authority or outreach service for the area in which you have seen the person, to help them find the individual and connect them to support (www.streetlink.org.uk or 0300 500 0914). Outreach workers are experienced in supporting people to move away from the streets.