What is Multiple Disadvantage?

Facing complex challenges together

When we talk about “Severe and Multiple Disadvantage” (sometimes called SMD), we are describing the experience of facing several difficult challenges at the same time.

Often, support services are set up to deal with just one problem—like housing or health—on its own. But in real life, these issues often overlap. When they do, it can make it much harder for a person to get the help they need.

What does this look like?

Our group focuses on the experiences of people who are dealing with a combination of issues. These might include:

• Homelessness: Including rough sleeping or staying in temporary accommodation.

• Mental Health: dealing with emotional distress or diagnosis.

• Substance Use: Challenges with addiction.

• Criminal Justice: Contact with the police, courts, or prison.

• Other Barriers: Such as disability, impairment, or experiences of domestic abuse.

Why We Use This Term

We use this term not to label people, but to highlight where the system needs to improve.

The Cambridge Co-Production Group exists because people with these combined experiences often fall through the gaps between different services. We believe that to fix these systems, we need to listen to the people who know them best: the people who use them.

Our Focus in Cambridge

While our group looks at disadvantage broadly, our current work is weighted towards helping people with experience of homelessness and rough sleeping in Cambridge.

We are working to improve things like:

• The Employment Homelessness Strategy.

• Short Stay Emergency Accommodation.

• Experiences at Addenbrooke’s Hospital A&E.

Your Experience is Expertise

If you have faced these challenges, you are what we call an “Experience Expert”.

You have knowledge that professionals don’t have. By joining us, you can use your lived experience to help design better support for others, ensuring that services treat people as whole human beings, not just a list of problems