Hartlepool Borough Council is being awarded a total of £2.39 million from the UK Government’s Changing Futures programme to improve support for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage.
Changing Futures focuses on helping people who face several interconnected challenges such as homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill health, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system – particularly where this involves repeated contact with crisis response services.
National evaluation has shown that a more joined‑up, person‑centred approach delivers better outcomes for individuals and reduces pressure on local services and costs to the taxpayer.
The Council was selected for the funding because Hartlepool is ranked as one of the most deprived areas in England.
The investment will support at least 220 local residents over the three‑year period through more coordinated and flexible interventions which also recognise the widespread impact of trauma and its effects on individuals.
A key aim of the programme is to strengthen partnership-working between the Council, the NHS, policing, probation, the voluntary and community sector and people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.
This includes improving information sharing, streamlining support and embedding trauma‑informed practice across local services so people get the right help at the right time.
The programme will run until March 2029 and will contribute to a national approach to tackling multiple disadvantage, with Hartlepool taking part in monitoring and evaluation to help build stronger long‑term evidence and improve future services.
Jill Harrison, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Executive Director of Adult Services and Public Health, said: “This is fantastic news for Hartlepool.
“Many people in our borough face complex and challenging circumstances, and this funding will help us to provide better, more coordinated support that meets their needs earlier and more effectively.
“By working closely with our partner organisations and learning from people with lived experience, we can make a real and lasting difference to people’s lives and strengthen the way local services work together.”
The Council will now work with local partner organisations to develop detailed delivery plans and ensure that Hartlepool is ready to maximise the benefits of this investment.