Funding boost for programme supporting most vulnerable residents

Changing Futures Lancashire has been awarded a further £2.027m in funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities and The National Lottery Community Fund to continue its work supporting people with complex needs and multiple disadvantage.

Initially a three year programme to March 2024, Changing Futures Lancashire will now continue supporting people across Lancashire until the end of March 2025.

As one of only 10 areas nationally to receive additional funding, Changing Futures Lancashire is now in a position to extend the programme to continue its work with the most disadvantaged people, using the delivery model that was designed and is driven by people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage here in Lancashire.

The Changing Futures programme is co-produced with people with lived experience of a range of disadvantages – including homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health, domestic abuse, and contact with the criminal justice system – to offer joined-up support to the most vulnerable people in our communities.

The programme aims to improve access to support services by integrating specialist and community support around their needs, and trialling new ways of bringing together the public sector and community sector to modernise public services for people who experience multiple disadvantage.

Coun Damian Talbot, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing & Prevention, said:

I’m really proud that Blackburn with Darwen Council is the lead local authority for this ground-breaking programme.

It aims to better support the most vulnerable people in our communities, who often have past experiences of trauma. Changing Futures Lancashire is improving co-ordination of support services, to reduce the further risk of homelessness, ill health, and increased contact with the criminal justice system.

Already the programme has had huge success, and I’m absolutely delighted for the team that they can continue their fantastic work. Thank you to Changing Futures Lancashire Programme Manager Ian Treasure for all his hard work on the bid for this additional funding.”

Case study:

Adam was sleeping rough in Blackburn and was known to police for his anti-social behaviour. His use of drug and alcohol was severe, and he’d also been the victim of violent crime whilst rough sleeping. Changing Futures workers contacted Adam daily, building a relationship and engaging Adam by focusing on his priorities.

Adam is now feeling more positive, has vastly reduced his drug use and has become more responsible for his own finances. He has a safe space to call home that comes with wider support and is now part of a recovery group helping him on his journey. Adam hopes to volunteer in the future and wants to be considered as a peer mentor when he is free from substances and ready to help others.

The Changing Futures programme is a joint initiative by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and The National Lottery Community Fund.

David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said:

We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities by making an additional £3.68 million investment into the Changing Futures programme.

Having been a joint funder of this programme since 2021, we have seen first-hand how it has helped people facing adversity – providing tools and support so they can make positive changes in their lives.

Thanks to National Lottery players we can continue to fund important programmes like this that serve to strengthen communities and improve lives, which is at the heart of our new 2030 strategy, ‘It starts with community’.”

You can find out more about Changing Futures here: https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/crime-prevention-and-community-safety/changing-futures