Many areas in Sussex rank among the 20% of neighbourhoods in England with the highest levels of deprivation. Our Tackling Poverty report found the highest levels of deprivation are around the Sussex coast, with the eight most underprivileged towns situated in coastal communities, including Brighton & Hove.
First thoughts about Brighton & Hove tend to focus on the local artistic talents showcased at the creative Brighton Fringe and Festival; historic landmarks such as the iconic Royal Pavilion and the famous Brighton Pier; Georgian buildings along the seafront and of seagulls, Pride flags and fish and chips. An inclusive, free-thinking city in the heart of Sussex.
However, what many people don’t know is that Brighton & Hove has the second highest number of highly deprived areas of any Local Authority in Sussex (15 Lower Super Output Areas in the most deprived 10% nationally in 2019) and contains the third most deprived ward in the county, East Brighton.
Our Tackling Poverty Report highlights three main challenges communities in Brighton & Hove are experiencing:
Brighton & Hove has the highest rate of households assessed as homeless in the county (1.44%) and is nearly double the national rate (0.66%). The city also has 0.89% of households threatened with homelessness, meaning it is likely that they will become homeless within 56 days. Both figures are significantly higher than England as a whole.
The report also found Brighton & Hove had the highest number in Sussex of rough sleepers on a typical night, at 41 people.
Brighton & Hove has higher levels of pensioner poverty (15.3%) than the national average and contains the ward with the highest level of pensioner poverty - Queen’s Park. It is also the town with the largest number of households affected by fuel poverty in Sussex.
Brighton & Hove has the largest proportion of people identifying as ‘not straight or heterosexual’ out of all Local Authorities in England and Wales at 11.7%. This section of the population in Brighton & Hove is more likely to experience unemployment than in any other Local Authority in Sussex. 7.1% of people identifying as LGBTQ in the city are unemployed – higher than across any other town in Sussex and notably above the national average unemployment rate which is 2.9%.
Brighton & Hove has the highest number of people experiencing income deprivation and employment deprivation of any Local Authority in Sussex.
At the Foundation, we’re proud to support and want to share some of the groups working in Brighton on the challenges highlighted by our Tackling Poverty report.
The Clock Tower Sanctuary is a day centre in Brighton & Hove providing vital practical and emotional support to 16-25-year-olds who are homeless and insecurely housed. They recently received a grant from the Foundation towards the cost of their Centre Manager.
“I started to come to The Clock Tower Sanctuary last year, but it’s helped turn my life around already. With the help of my caseworker, I’ve gone from emergency accommodation into a more permanent, supported accommodation, and I am now waiting to move into independent social housing. It’s so much more than just a place to come and have food or a shower. I now see potential in my life and feel that I’m on way towards a much better place.”
The Ledward Centre is an LGBTQ+ Centre that works to reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing by creating a safe, sober, social space, and organising opportunities for members from across the diverse LGBTQ+ communities. The centre has proved to be an important sober space, allowing a growing number of people to socialise in a safe supportive atmosphere. The community group received a grant last year towards the salary costs of a part-time centre manager and facilitator.
The centre recently ran a beginner’s comedy course for LGBTQ+ women and those who are non-binary for six weeks where participants learnt methods and techniques to create a stand-up comedy set.
“These wonderful funny humans smashed their first gig in front of a live SOBER audience. Alongside performing stand-up, the participants have made a wonderful bond with each other, and the feedback has been amazing!”
Food and Friendship brings people together through food. They exist to tackle loneliness in older, isolated people and adults with learning disabilities. They provide low-cost bi-weekly lunch clubs and evening cooking clubs facilitated by a large community volunteer team. The charity received a grant in March towards their core running costs.
“Too many older people live and eat alone in the city, having lost friends and loved ones. Our lunch clubs are like a large family for people who don't have one where they can enjoy a healthy home-cooked meal and come together to share friendship and laughter. They are a place to feel welcomed and valued, to learn something, to receive support and to help build the resilience to get through another week alone”.
Our Tackling Poverty report highlights the desperate need in parts of Sussex and tells the story of why more local giving is essential, to increase support for people in our county.
“The Cullum Family Trust fully recognises that the voluntary sector engages with the local community to help provide the essential, real support to fill the many gaps that are impacting the vulnerable and in particular the older members of our communities. These gaps are ever widening and are exacerbated by the lack of funds to deliver those vital support services that are so essential in what is often very challenging circumstances.”
Get in touch with the Philanthropy team to discuss how you can help make a difference in Brighton & Hove, or you can donate directly to our Tackling Poverty Fund here.
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