Government Launches £46m Changing Futures Fund

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has launched a new £46 million Changing Futures Programme to help improve the way that systems and services work to support individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage – including a combination of homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health, domestic abuse, and contact with the criminal justice system.

The Changing Futures programme will bring together a selection of local areas that are committed to working with government and with each other over an initial two-year period to improve outcomes for people experiencing multiple disadvantage. Together, the programme partners will develop local delivery models, deliver system change and test a new joined-up approach between government and local partners that will shape future government policy.

A local partnership will be responsible for delivering the programme in selected areas, with the following representation as a minimum:

Local Authority. Areas might wish to include representation from public health, housing support, substance misuse and/or adult social care services

Strategic NHS partners, including one or more of Clinical Commissioning Group, Integrated Care System/Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, Mental Health Trust, and NHS England commissioners

Police and/or Police and Crime Commissioner

National Probation Service. Areas might also wish to additionally involve representation from prison, HM Courts and Tribunals, and Youth Offending Services

Voluntary, social and community sector partners.

Grants of up to £15,000 will be available for shortlisted areas in year one (2020/21) to develop a more detailed delivery plan in partnership with the central government programme team.

Initially up to £35.7 million will be available for delivery in year two (2021/22) and year three (2022/23). It is envisioned that grants will be in the range of £1.5 million – £4.5 million per area across the initial two years.

The central team will be running two webinars on 16 December and 6 January for areas interested in applying. Please contact the MHCLG for joining details.

Expressions of interest (EOIs) must be submitted by the deadline of 21 January 2021.

More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news and policy. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.