Released: Friday 27 March 2026
West Sussex County Council recently marked the successful completion of a five‑year Changing Futures Sussex programme—part of the national £91.8 million initiative designed to transform outcomes for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse, and contact with the criminal justice system.
Launched in 2021 and funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and The National Lottery Community Fund, the Sussex programme received £6 million and supported more than 500 people across the county. West Sussex County Council led delivery on behalf of partners across Sussex.
Transforming lives and systems
Independent evaluation shows the programme delivered significant and lasting benefits at individual, service, and system level. Key outcomes include:
- Improved wellbeing and reduced risk
- Reduced pressure on A&E, with more preventative and coordinated support
- A 60% reduction in early mortality, compared to the national average for people with similar needs
- Clearer data and stronger evidence on needs and prevalence, helping services plan more effectively
- Embedding lived experience into service design
- Strengthened trauma‑informed and reflective practice across frontline services
The programme’s flexible personal budgets and peer support model played a central role, rebuilding trust with individuals who have often felt excluded from traditional services.
Cllr Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services at West Sussex County Council, said:
“The achievements of the Changing Futures Sussex programme show what is possible when services come together around the people who need us most. By providing tailored, compassionate support, the programme has helped residents move away from vulnerable situations, regain stability, and take steps toward a safer and healthier future.
“This work speaks directly to the ambitions in Our Council Plan — not only keeping people safe from harm but also helping individuals and communities to fulfil their potential. The legacy of Changing Futures will continue to shape how we design and deliver support across West Sussex, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
A legacy for the future
The work of the Changing Futures team will continue through mainstream service delivery, led by West Sussex County Council’s Communities Directorate. The programme has elevated the strategic prominence of multiple complex needs across Sussex, influencing policy, commissioning, and cross‑agency collaboration.
The event marking the programme’s close also shared powerful first‑hand accounts from people whose lives have been changed through tailored, compassionate support.
For more information visit www.changingfuturessussex.org
Pictured: Cabinet Member Amanda Jupp (centre) celebrating with The Changing Future Programme Team
