Sutton Council awards grants to combat homelessness and improve health and wellbeing

Sutton Council has awarded £400,000 to local community groups and charities for a series of pilot projects aimed at supporting residents before they reach crisis point.

From mental health mentors to preventing falls, the successful projects will help to stop homelessness and improve health and wellbeing across Sutton. 

The initiative forms part of the Council's work to help people take small steps which can have a big impact on their lives. According to the Local Government Association, every £1 invested in preventative support can save £3.17 in future care costs. 

Councillor Marian James, Lead Member for Adults and Children’s Services, and Councillor Jake Short, Lead Member for Housing, Economy and Business said:
"The high number and quality of the bids show the strength and innovation of our Charity, Community and Faith sector here in Sutton. 
 
“By investing in preventative measures and working with local partners already embedded in our communities, we can significantly improve the lives of our residents, reduce pressure on essential services, and support people before they reach crisis point."

Simon Breeze, Chief Executive of Community Action Sutton, said:
“Given how challenging things are, both in terms of how many people need help and how stretched budgets are, it is great to see that Sutton Council recognises the value and reach of charities in the borough. 

“The focus on prevention also means that people will be helped at the right time and supported to stay healthy and well as long as they can. Providing funding for projects that will both allow innovation but also target those most in need is a far-sighted step and will allow for continued partnership work with charities.”

The projects will be implemented over the next 12 - 18 months and updates will be shared across the Council’s social media channels. 

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Prevention Pilot Grant, which opened for applications on 1 August 2025, received 33 submissions from local organisations.

The 12 funded projects fall into two key areas:

Prevention of Homelessness in Sutton

Six organisations have been awarded grants totalling £199,178.20 to deliver projects aimed at preventing homelessness and reducing demand for temporary and emergency accommodation. These include:

• Home Start Sutton: family support aimed at families in insecure accommodation.
• Sutton Mental Health Foundation and Citizen’s Advice Bureau: support to people with mental health issues impacting housing stability.
• Sutton Women's Centre and Roehampton University: proactive intervention with women at risk of homelessness due to domestic abuse.
• Sutton Nightwatch: videos and media to support people at risk of homelessness with key information in multiple local languages.
• Afghanistan and Central Asian Association: culturally sensitive interventions targeting refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
• Creating Hope: job club improving financial wellbeing through access to employment.

Adult Social Care

Six organisations have received grants totalling £203,432.12 for projects targeting older people and individuals with learning disabilities, aiming to reduce demand for home care, supported accommodation, and prevent falls or carer breakdown. These include:

• Volunteer Centre Sutton: a home visiting service and check for older people unable to access their communities.
• Advocacy for All: support and mentors for people with a Learning Disability experiencing mental health difficulties.
• Advice, Support Knowledge (Joint bid with 4 other small community groups): falls prevention programme targeting older people in less visible communities.
• Wallington Community Wellbeing Charity: dementia support with strong links to local health improvement.
• Ryan Neurotherapy: falls prevention, early identification, and targeted interventions for older people.
• Sutton Carers Centre: respite planning and provision for carers at risk of breakdown.