Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
HEATWAVE HITS - help vendors work safely with a summer support kit
Buy a kit
Housing

Government launches £46 million scheme to help the most vulnerable

Frontline organisations have long called for a more joined-up approach to supporting those facing multiple disadvantages

rough sleeping

A new Government scheme designed to support vulnerable people facing homelessness and other challenges has been announced by rough sleeping and housing minister Kelly Tolhurst.

The £46 million Changing Futures fund will help people across England who have experienced rough sleeping, substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system.

Local organisations will be able to bid for funding and form partnerships to support the most vulnerable with “entrenched disadvantage from trauma”. 

Support Big Issue vendors this Christmas by gifting a subscription

Frontline organisations have long called for a more joined-up approach to supporting those facing multiple disadvantages and homelessness charity St Mungo’s described the scheme as “very welcome”. 

Dominic Williamson, St Mungo’s executive director of strategy and policy, said people dealing with several problems had struggled to navigate services that report to different parts of government. 

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Williamson said: “Many of our clients experience several challenges on top of their homelessness and yet too often public services are designed to address one problem at a time.

“People with substance use issues, mental illness and homelessness particularly struggle to get effective help as the services they need report to different parts of central and local government.

“This very welcome initiative builds on work by the National Lottery’s Fulfilling Lives programme, the Making Every Adult Matter partnership, Revolving Doors Agency and others and will support the pilot areas to bring services together in ways that change lives for the better.” 

Kelly Tolhurst, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing, said the new programme would provide “more effective and coordinated support” for those that needed it.

“This £46 million funding will help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities turn their lives around and build a brighter future,” she said. 

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

“The programme gives local organisations the flexibility and resources they need to work in partnership to deliver effective support where it is needed most.” 

The scheme will see councils, health bodies, police, probation services, voluntary and community sector bodies form partnerships to deliver local change. The lessons learned from the initiative would then “inform” national policy, the Government said. 

Williamson emphasised that a joined-up response to those dealing with several issues was often missing. He said the new scheme could help “unblock” some of the barriers to organisations working together. 

He added: “Critically, the [Changing Futures] prospectus requires areas to bring senior local leaders from councils, police, NHS and other public services together to support the change at the frontline. 

“This aspect has often been missing in previous efforts to make progress on this issue and will help unblock some of the barriers to joint working.  

“Equally, the involvement of a wide range of Government departments at national level will provide the impetus for policy change which can underpin local efforts.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Feeling the heat?

It's even tougher on the street. Could you buy a summer support kit for £35 to help vendors work safely in the sun?

Recommended for you

View all
Black and minority households 'forced to cut their hair and hide their accents' to get social housing
A black woman sitting on a sofa speaking to a psychologist
Racism

Black and minority households 'forced to cut their hair and hide their accents' to get social housing

Sky-high rents mean ageing tenants 'won't be able to retire' – adding billions to the benefits bill
an old woman sat on a bed looking stressed
RENTING

Sky-high rents mean ageing tenants 'won't be able to retire' – adding billions to the benefits bill

This rule change is helping care leavers and domestic abuse survivors to get social homes
care leavers hand in petition at Downing Street
Social housing

This rule change is helping care leavers and domestic abuse survivors to get social homes

How can I help homeless people during a UK heatwave?
uk heatwave
Homelessness

How can I help homeless people during a UK heatwave?

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.