Off The Fence Trust

Restoring lives and hope of the homeless, women at risk and vulnerable school children in Brighton & Hove. Off The Fence was set up in 1997 in the City of Brighton & Hove to work with three areas of the community to provide one to one care and help. Our drop in centre for the homeless, Project Antifreeze, offers a place where rough sleepers can chat, find a sleeping bag, wash, get clothes and food, have a haircut and receive health care treatments from specialists, such as the dentist. Antifreeze also refer clients to housing and hostels, and helps rough sleepers come off the streets. Nightly our outreach teams monitor the rough sleeper’s welfare and any newcomers to the City, providing immediate information and sign posting that allows a quick exit from street life. The Women's centre, Gateway was set up to provide a place where women facing difficult times due to abuse, mental health issues or just generally struggling could find friendship, advice and support that will enable them to change and have stability in their lives. Gateway’s drop in centre offers a safe place where women can learn new skills, be listened to and referred to relevant agencies and support networks. The Schools Team run a ‘Building Healthy Relationships’ course, helping students who have found interaction with others difficult. Lunch time clubs provide a ‘safe space’ where young people who find it hardest to deal with school life have found a place of safety. In conjunction with the head teachers we also offer one to one counselling, mentoring and a full range of professional secondary school activities.