Multiple Disadvantage
There are an estimated 120,000 in Greater Manchester experiencing Multiple Disadvantage.
Multiple Disadvantage refers to adults facing a combination of homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system. These are often the people facing the sharpest social, economic and health disadvantages.
Greater Manchester has a long history of working across all sectors which aim to respond more effectively to multiple disadvantage and a range of intersecting complex needs. However, there is much more we need to do, particularly, to build upon and bring together this work and approaches across the whole of our city region. In 2023, Greater Manchester committed to develop a system wide programme of work around Multiple Disadvantage. This requires collaborative work across the system.
As part of this work, GMCA commissioned the Greater Manchester Changing Futures programme, which is part of a national five-year, £91.8 million programme aiming to improve outcomes for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage. The programme was announced in 2020, began work in local areas in July 2021, and will continue until the end of March 2026. It aims to deliver improvements at the individual, service and system level, focussing on:
- Stabilising and then improving the life situation of adults who face multiple disadvantage
- Transforming local services to provide a person-centred approach and to reduce crisis demand
- Testing a different approach to funding, accountability and engagement between local commissioners and services, and between central government and local areas.
Find out more about the national Changing Futures programme on the Government's website: Changing Futures - GOV.UK (external website)