Zoe Lyons backs Make Change Count, the city's joint homelessness fundraiser

The comedian Zoe Lyons is backing this year’s Make Change Count, the campaign that raises money for eight homelessness charities in Brighton & Hove. She appears in a new campaign video, released for World Homeless Day on 10 October, asking people, businesses and organisations to give. The Argus¹ has reported on the video.

“I’m supporting Make Change Count as it brings charities together to help people who are facing homelessness in our city,” she told the Argus. “Everybody deserves a safe space.”

Make Change Count has run since 2016 and is backed by Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police. It offers an alternative for people who want to give change to rough sleepers but know their money can do more. Donations pay for professional help: food, showers, healthcare, clothing and other practical support, based on what each person needs. None of the money goes on administration, and every charity takes part at no cost.

Antifreeze, one of the Off The Fence Trust’s programmes since 1998, offers drop-ins, hygiene facilities, medical access and one-to-one sessions. BHT Sussex runs a day centre, supported accommodation and homeless prevention teams. Change Grow Live runs the city’s street outreach service, which helps people move off the streets and into services. SIG Equinox’s Brighton Women’s Service is an 18-bed service for women with high support needs. YMCA Brighton, the city’s oldest housing charity, gives advice, support and housing to adults who would otherwise be homeless.

The council’s launch of the 2025/26 campaign said Zoe Lyons was supporting it. At that launch, the council said the most recent campaign had raised £15,332 from 230 supporters.

Readers can donate on the campaign’s JustGiving² page. If you are worried about someone sleeping rough, tell StreetLink, and the details will go to the street outreach team. The council says to call 999 if the person needs urgent medical care.