On their side. By their side - Impact Report 2020-21 - Off The Fence
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Charity number 1108777
On their side.
By their side.
Impact Report 2020-21
1
That if we are working with our clients in this new, very personal way, poor, the damaged and the destitute start to line our streets again,
Sometimes daunted. then the path ahead needs to be based around individuals not
groups. Support needs to become sustainability. Coping needs to
they need us and we need you more than ever.
convert to independence. Perennial reliance to aspiration and hope. The time and the place have arrived. Come and join us.
Never deflected. The Day Centre will become a place of empowerment where our
clients are equipped to make the most of the accommodation
found for them. We want them to have the desire and means to not
Paul Young
Paul Young, Graham Hollebon and Wendy Young only remain in accommodation but to move on into employment Founder and CEO
When the storms come and the rain falls most and see homelessness as a place to leave behind, part of their
people stay indoors and wait for the wind to history rather than an ever-present future.
drop. We have done the opposite. This has meant reviewing the protection and care we offer every
They deserve this vision; and so does the City.
single one of our clients. In itself, a bigger, more personal mission.
No more group sessions. Far more one-to-ones. Private conversations
Chair of Trustees –
This time last year we had no idea of the impact the worldwide
pandemic would have. We imagined that within a few months, on the telephone, via Facetime and Zoom; on the doorstep. This has The same sense of adaptability and ambition also permeated Graham Hollebon
meant an increase in workload not a reduction. I pay tribute to every through our Schools and Youth team. Prevented from going into
things would return to normal and our work would continue as
member of our team for working harder in more difficult circumstances. schools, the team re-set its mode of operation entirely. It adapted
before. 12 months later the world has shifted on its axis and It has been my privilege to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees
Their physical, prayerful efforts have created a spiritual shield to a world of Zoom and break-out rooms and realising that the
everything has changed. since August 2018. The current Board is a highly committed team of 8
around our charity and our clients. inherent creativity within the group could be harnessed to huge
with a variety of expertise and experience that provides the necessary
effect. Funds were raised to purchase a complete professional
We have got used to interacting with people via screens; our data is strategic leadership to the Charity as a whole and support for the
At the height of the Covid storm, when buckets on the floor were video production suite; Instagram story programmes were
stored in the cloud and we can access it from anywhere. senior staff team. The full Board meets 6 times a year and sub-groups
literally filling with water, the opportunity arose to purchase the launched on social media and time taken to support individual
Rough sleepers no longer crowd into our Antifreeze Day Centre meet frequently to deal with specific matters such as risk management,
Gateway Women’s Centre. teachers during a stressful period. The outcomes have been more
because of social distancing. The majority are in temporary safeguarding and finance.
than fruitful. A partnership with Brighton & Hove City Mission
accommodation. The problem has moved. It was visible; now it is
It couldn’t have arrived at a more inopportune time. The choice was has seen weekly inspirational videos created online to support
locked behind doors. But it hasn’t gone away. It has of course been a strange 12 months. We have become used to
stark. Close the Centre; relocate or somehow take ownership. bewildered and anxious children; schools as far away as
meeting via Zoom and, although we miss face to face contact, the
Nottingham have adopted the video series; local schools
The shutting down of society has had a huge impact on the most work of the Board has been unaffected. Our primary focus has been
Suddenly, long-term plans had to be compressed into overnight responded warmly to our Easter in a box initiative and vigils after
vulnerable. For many the opportunity to meet in groups outside or in on ensuring the health and well-being of our staff as without them we
imperatives. We were given first refusal by the Women’s Centre the Sarah Everard tragedy were held in partnership with teachers
centres was a highlight of many a gloomy day. Even schoolchildren cannot deliver the services our clients require. We have supported our
owners. After prayerful discussions with our intrepid trustees, we took for their students to find a place to put their concerns.
have felt the loss of community, friends and the security of the classroom. senior management team as they make constant course corrections
the decision to move forward with the purchase. A major capital to keep the work of the Charity going through the various periods of
appeal was launched at the height of a national crisis. As we approach our 25th anniversary and put in place an
Lockdown for some has meant a domestic prison with abusive lockdown and easing. We have also paid particular attention to our
expanded budget of £719,000 for the year ahead, look forward to
partners, feelings of loneliness or despair. The concept of community finances to ensure that the Charity is well placed to continue its service
Six months later we had implemented the first stage of a three-stage opening an expanded and better equipped Gateway Centre that
has been shattered into isolated, room-bound pieces. to the City and elsewhere in this document you can read about how
plan, drawn up a detailed schedule not simply to buy the building we call our own and reflect on the fact that we are again one of
we have been blessed in this area.
but to almost double the floor space and received pledges for nearly the Mayor’s charities, our overwhelming mood is one of gratitude.
Covid has required us to re-evaluate everything. So how is it that we
£500,000 via some of our major trusts, our faithful churches and To all of you who have shared the journey and the vision with us;
have come through it stronger than before? Our five year strategic plan includes resolving the long-term
individual supporters. This amazing vision matched the growth in the contributors, the volunteers, the change makers and the prayer
accommodation needs of our Gateway project – a service in greater
need over the time of the pandemic. Our service will now grow to givers. Thank you.
I believe the answer is that Off The Fence has been wholly aligned demand than ever. The Board has been delighted to be able
with God’s will. Despite the fault lines shaking and the pillars falling, accommodate the increase in demand. It was amazing to see our to support the management team in the process of acquiring a
loaves and fishes turn into a banquet. Our amazing God has put us in a pivotal and influential place.
we have tried to remain true to our calling. permanent home for Gateway and we look forward to seeing it well
We shine a light into some of the darkest corners of this unique city.
used once circumstances allow.
It also became clear that the service and facilities provided for our Our ambition is to further expand our facilities and resources to
To support the most vulnerable in Brighton and Hove and
homeless clients in the Antifreeze Centre would need to change as well. help those at the epicentre of the storm.
demonstrate that there is hope in waiting. As we look ahead to the coming year we sense plenty of challenges
Group work no longer fitted the need. Individual packages of but I am sure we have the right team with the right plan in place to
support became the norm and this led us to another realisation. Through many of you, God is giving us the means to do this. As the
continue to serve the most vulnerable in our City.
2 3
Roll call of Our four areas of work:
compassion
The Homeless:
The Women in Schools and Mission and
Our services were used by Client Support Homeless: crisis: Youth outreach
Interactions:
388 Antifreeze Gateway
individuals 1,264
Women in crisis: Some of the issues we help with:
Mental Health • Bereavement • Relationship breakdown • Job loss • Addiction
We held
119 Debt • Abuse • Poverty • Housing • Homelessness • Family issues • Lack of self-worth
1,940 women
supported
1 to 1s with our clients
We are: Supported by:
Our services were
accesssed
23 8 932 39
16,798 staff trustees individual businesses
times this year donors
9 50 5 20
patrons volunteers schools churches
Schools:
Student contacts in the last year: 1 21 52
intern clubs/ trusts
12,836 associations Photo: Callum Stannard
4 5
Gateway
The miracle of 52 Station Road Gateway has been a stepping stone towards moving into work
and training, seeking therapy or specialist support from other
We’re very excited to announce the purchase of the home of services, managing mental health more effectively, getting back
Gateway Women’s Centre at 52 Station Road, Portslade. We are on track financially, building healthier relationships - or simply
indebted to the many grant-making trusts, businesses, individuals reducing the negative impacts of isolation by connecting with a
and churches that have enabled this to happen during a supportive community of other women.
pandemic. For many years, we have nurtured the dream of
buying and developing our premises to enable us to meet the The power of personal contact
demand for our services, now and into the future.
The women we support frequently face complex and multiple
The building will be reconfigured and extended to improve difficulties. Vital one-to-one support has been accessed 1,940
accessibility for those with mobility issues and to create a safe, times in the past year – and this is only the tip of the iceberg of
welcoming and homely space based on trauma-informed need in our community.
principles. We plan to have one-to-one rooms, IT facilities, a
courtyard garden, bespoke food bank storage, calming sensory Unsurprisingly, there was a significant increase in requests for
and reflection spaces, a café-style welcome area and a relaxing support for isolation and loneliness, suicidal thoughts, and
living room. The flexible workshop space and kitchen will mean keeping safe. Urgent support requests for women struggling to
Gateway we can offer a greater variety of groups and workshops,
including wellbeing and exercise sessions. There will be life skills
access food and medication were also a priority. We noticed
that women with disabilities were disproportionately impacted by
courses like cooking on a budget and managing money – as well Covid-related issues.
Women’s Centre as our popular creative activities. With a bigger and more
suitable building, we can expand our capacity to support the Befriending support increased dramatically, from 63 sessions in
women and families most in need in the City. 2019 to 838 in 2020. One-to-one emotional support increased
– hope in a Our purpose
alongside this, as did signposting, referring and liaising with
other services. There is now a waiting list for our services,
underlining the need to expand our premises and services as
global pandemic Gateway Women’s Centre is a women-only safe space, offering
holistic and trauma-informed support to any woman experiencing
difficulty or crisis. We believe that services run by women, for
soon as possible.
women are most effective at providing the emotional, practical
and spiritual support that is at the heart of our service.
It’s been an extraordinary year.
The demand for practical, emotional Although we haven’t been able to meet women in person at the
and spiritual support has stretched Centre, we have supported women on the phone, through email,
letter and Zoom, as well as via ‘door step’ support one to ones.
both our team and our resources. We’ve supported women with issues including: mental health
issues, domestic abuse, physical health issues and disabilities,
But we have stood our ground – we’ve held firmly onto
financial hardship, isolation, bereavement, relationship
our faith, we’ve adapted how we work, and we’ve
breakdown, housing problems and drug and alcohol misuse.
continued to provide flexible, trustworthy and caring
For some women, our support has been both life-changing
services to the women and families most in need in our
and life-saving. One woman struggling with lockdown told us:
communities. We continue to welcome each woman
“without you, I don’t think I’d still be here”.
with her unique needs and circumstances. As we walk
alongside them, we feel inspired by their courage and
“
Our ethos is to offer a range of opportunities and support that It means a lot that you don’t give up –
resourcefulness as they seek support for themselves and
women choose from, so they can develop their skills, build you’ve persisted when people usually
The Gateway team on International Women’s Day their families.
resilience and increase self-confidence at their own pace.
come and go.”
6 7
Gateway
Providing sunshine by embracing the Emergency food and toiletries bank
Cloud We have given out double the pre-Covid amount of emergency
It was clear at the beginning of Covid that digital exclusion supplies from our Food and Toiletries Bank to women who are
was a big issue- especially for women who had limited or using Gateway’s services. We gave out 196 emergency food and
no IT skills, and those who had no means of paying for the toiletry bags last year, and we expect the demand to continue as
internet or digital devices. the economy tries to recover from the pandemic. The demand for
substantial bags of food and toiletries has grown exponentially,
enabling survival on meagre weekly budgets.
Successful grant applications enabled us to supply women
with tablets and smart phones, enabling access to online
The women tell us that queuing at a food bank can feel stressful
shopping and information, as well as online groups at
and humiliating. But the women who access the Gateway food
Gateway. We also helped women to access local digital
bank know they will see a familiar team member, and be greeted
support services, establishing digital connectivity for some
with warmth and kindness and often with craft supplies, clothing
“
of the most isolated women. It was absolutely brilliant today at Food for Thought. It got you thinking about
and household items to share, and women can collect these at
the same time. praying your worries and thanking God. It’s my first time attending a Food for
We also set up a Gateway Women’s Centre YouTube
channel, with short films from the team on everything
We also offer some home deliveries to women who are housebound Thought session, and I loved it. I loved everyone else’s thoughts too, it expanded
from how to make a face mask, to an Easter prayer and
due to physical or mental health, and those who are unable to get my mind a little. Thank you again for today and all your genuine support.”
communion service.
to the centre due to the cost of bus travel, for example.
For women with complex PTSD, agoraphobia and severe anxiety,
shopping during the pandemic has been extremely difficult and
“
I’d been really struggling with my old phone.
our deliveries and personal meetings have been crucial.
It kept stopping and I can’t afford a new wedding cake to ceramics, papier mache to 3D art.
one – I’m on disability benefits. Everything’s We also posted 95 gift bags out to the women, and included a
on the internet nowadays. Gateway got me letter from the team which said “hopefully this little homemade Photo: Callum Stannard
Building a virtual and Covid-safe face to bag filled with treats for you will let you know that we are
a Smart Phone, and now I can keep up with
my friends and what’s going on.” face community – our groups thinking of you, you are unique and you are amazing!”.
We weren’t able to run our face to face groups, workshops and
We introduced a successful Pen Pal Scheme for women who
drop ins during the lockdowns. Despite this, last year we had 430
weren’t able to access technology and were missing out on the
attendances at Zoom groups and small, Covid-safe groups in
community and connection our groups were offering.
“
I’ve been saving up for a tablet for ages. the local church hall and in the park. Our regular Zoom groups
We recruited volunteer letter writers, and matched them with
include ‘Craftalongs’ (fun creative craft session for all abilities),
I wanted to do an online course and women who requested a Pen Pal.
‘Coffee and Chat’ (a light-hearted time to connect with other
now I’ve just started my course. [Getting
women), and ‘Food for Thought’ (a Christian-themed discussion
a tablet] has made a big difference.”
and prayer time). Team and volunteers – support, skills
and training
Covid has pushed many people into facing the big questions
about life and death. So many of the women we work with have Our team of 12 volunteers has been vital. They have faithfully
been bereaved during the pandemic. We have found more supported the team and the women by praying for the
opportunities to offer to pray with or for women, and a greater project, encouraging the team, making over 100 face masks
willingness to accept these offers to distribute to the women, taking part in our new Pen Pal
scheme and making priceless donations.
We celebrated International Women’s Day in March 2021 in style.
We showcased our women’s creativity with an Art Gallery on our
website – the women submitted their photos of everything from a
8 9
Gateway
• We are supporting women via one-to-one phone, • We gave out 196 emergency food and toiletries Issues discussed in one to Mental/Emotional health Money/debt/benefits
text, email, Zoom, and letter support, and through our bags from September 20 – March 21. 20% 6%
weekly Zoom groups, food bank, and Pen Pal Scheme. one support sessions from
Physical health Interpersonal relationships
• We prayed with women 246 times from April 20 – April 20-March 21 12% 10%
• We had a total recorded number of 1940 1:1s with March 21, gave signposting information 238 times, Disability Medication
our clients from April 20 – March 21. Of these, 969 liaised with other services/ professionals on behalf 1% 4%
1:1s were had by telephone, and we talked about of a woman 196 times, gave public information
Alcohol/substance Suicide/keeping safe
mental health a recorded 1065 times. Our 1:1 total about the pandemic 242 times, and much more. misuse/Self-harm 4%
from the previous year (April 19 – March 20) was 4%
950, showing the enormous increase in 1:1 support Accessing services
• We posted special letters and presents to the Domestic abuse 10%
offered by our service during the pandemic. women throughout the year. We sent out 100 face 2%
masks, 44 craft packs, 63 Christian themed letters Spiritual issues
Housing 4%
• We had a total of 430 attendances by women from (Easter letters/ Food For Thought handouts), 90 6%
April 20 – March 21 at our Zoom groups (including Christmas gift bags, 91 International Women’s Day Carer/concern about
gift bags, along with many packets of cress seeds, Bereavement someone else
Food For Thought, Coffee and Chat, singing, craft
2% 6%
and seated exercise), socially distanced park encouraging cards, magazines and activities, as
well as befriending letters via our Pen Pal Scheme. Isolation and loneliness
meet-ups, and socially distanced hall groups. Employment/training/
study/courses 7%
2%
Type of one-to-one support sessions
The Gateway human wrap-around (April 2020 – March 2021)
Total one-to-one support sessions: 1,940
“
I was so scared when I came to Gateway about how the other women would treat me. Yet every person I came into
contact with was accepting and kind. You all at Gateway have no idea how much you help and heal us with your
warmth and love. If I were to describe a place where I see evidence of the light and work of God - it’s Gateway. 1:1 appointments at 1:1 By Zoom
Gateway 27
To lose Gateway so suddenly [when lockdown started] like that, when it had helped me to leave the house… I went 122
through a period of grief. I was so sad to not be able to attend Gateway. It was like all the effort it had taken me 1:1 written communication
1:1 outreach appointments (text/email/letter)
to get to you had been ripped from me and I was back to the start again, of feeling isolated. But when I got your
95 679
messages through on text, I was able to tell myself I hadn’t lost you all. That I’m still part of Gateway and you’re still
there for me. It helped me cope with being alone again. 1:1 by telephone 1:1 new referrals/
969 enquiries about Gateway
Having support from Gateway during lockdown I think, for me.. it’s just helped me to not feel so alone. When I have 48
those negative thoughts about myself, I can tell myself, ‘I’m not alone, there are people who care about me and who
care that I’m alive.”
10 11
Schools & Youth
“
I really appreciate Making an impact one person at a time
all the support ‘We’re all in the same storm, but not in the same boat.’
that you and your
Every child had a different experience of the pandemic, if ever there was a
team give to our
time for a person-centred approach this was it. As schools opened their doors
students.” in September, our team focussed on supporting students with one-to-one
Sarah Fenton (Assistant Head mentoring. This met a huge need for those overwhelmed by school and life in
of Year, Blatchington Mill) general, and was logistically fairly easy to run in a Covid-secure way. Over the
last year, our team have met with, and supported 39 students from year 7 to 11.
Deputy Manager Rich Jago comments: “Spending time with a student one-to-
one as a mentor is an honour, being allowed to listen to their thoughts, joys,
concerns, being trusted with their worries and expectations.”
“
If ever there was
a time we
needed you
Masked heroes
guys it’s now!” A new way of working
Andrea Diskin (Mile Oak
We always knew that schools had the potential to
Primary) inspire greatness, but over the last 12 months we have Since 2013 our team have run 100 Prayer Spaces in Schools. In fact, our 100th Prayer Space was cut slightly short due to the start of
lockdown in March 2020. Prayer Spaces have been a massively important part of our work over the years, but the format just
seen true heroes. doesn’t work in a socially distanced setting. Autumn term saw our team re-imagining Prayer Spaces and offering them to primary
and secondary schools in a Covid-safe way. ‘Prayer Space in a Box’ was born – a
Standing at a safe distance, our team have observed staff and students under
series of prayer activities that could easily be run by school staff with everyday
immense pressure rising to the challenges thrown at them. We always count
objects found in the classroom.
it a privilege to work in schools, but this year we recognise that so many have
gone above and beyond and we want to start by acknowledging that.
We also received funding to produce a Christmas Prayer Journal for secondary
schools. The journal contained 5 creative prayer activities and was used
It has been a year that has pushed us out of our comfort zones, forcing us
alongside a playlist of festive songs and instructions on the screen.
to keep evolving and reshaping the work. The team have hugely benefitted
from some excellent video making training and new kit. A year ago we knew
Team Manager Lizzi has had the privilege of sharing these resources more
little to nothing about making videos, but now we can fairly competently
widely, with staff and chaplains across the country, through the national Prayer
plan, shoot and edit.
Space Sessions on Zoom.
“
This video is brilliant, thank you so much!”
“
We’re trying to feature ‘good practice’
Kate Vincent (Assistant Head, King’s School, Hove)
through these Prayer Spaces Sessions, and
Off The Fence are about as ‘good practice’
as it gets. You and the whole OTF team are a
“
Thank you so much for this video. Above case study in ‘how to do prayer spaces well’ -
and beyond sticker well and truly earned.” you really are a gift to others.”
Schools and Youth manager Lizzi on set! Finding time and space for children
Debby Butters (Assistant Head, Aldrington Primary) Phil Togwell (National Director, Prayer Spaces in Schools)
12 13
Schools & Youth
We launched our Instagram account in October 2020.
You can find us @otfschools posting about mental
Where’s Your Head At? It’s an Insta Life!
health, faith, topical issues and every now and again Our team have relished the opportunity
a team selfie! During the months when our team were
Follow OTFSchools and join in.
to recreate, rebrand and think outside the
unable to meet students in school, it has been great to box this year. Schools are not the same as
find new avenues of connection and support. they were a year ago, and students have
changed too. So this year our team have put
considerable time and effort into reshaping
the format and content of our support work.
‘Where’s Your Head At?’ is a brand new suite of resources aimed at
years 6-9. They can be run in a Covid-secure classroom and help
students to work through issues most young people will struggle
with. Our team take these resources into local schools but they are
available to download from our website for wider use.
The Schools and Youth Team
“
I got to connect with inner thoughts that
A couple of team members have also been able to use
some furlough time to complete a 6 month ‘counselling
are a little bit out of my comfort zone.”
in schools’ qualification. It has been hugely beneficial Feedback from a year 8 student who attended our first
to take time to read, learn and grow. ‘HEAD UP’ course in December 2020
A time to mourn Schools Team Impact Standing shoulder
Lots of the work we do is booked in months in advance, but occasionally circumstances to shoulder
warrant us dropping everything to respond to a need. One local school was looking for Student contacts Instagram Students supported
in the last year posts one-to-one Whether physically in school, or
a way to help their students process the tragic news about Sarah Everard. In just over 24
remotely, our team have endeavoured
hours our team helped the college students put together a beautiful vigil in the school
chapel. Students spent time quietly lighting a candle, writing their hopes in the face of this 12,836 241 39 to stand alongside the amazing army
of school staff as they have battled
tragic event and contemplating how to forgive when emotions are raw. It was a privilege
through online learning, remotely
to work alongside the college students creating something so important for their peers.
100 1,527 10 supporting students and so much more.
We have delivered cards and gifts to
This Head teacher was overwhelmed:
school staff, kept in contact by email
Prayer Spaces children attended videos made to
and continued to offer our ‘Christians
“
We are so grateful to Off The Fence for their sensitive and supportive run since 2013 Prayer Spaces this support staff In Education’ initiative. ‘CIE Bitesize’
response to our request to help with this vigil. The whole experience was year has enabled us to deliver a weekly
incredibly powerful and prayerful. The reflective and contemplative short video of encouragement drawing
atmosphere gave us all a chance to express ourselves, to share thoughts wisdom from individuals across the
and to commit to moving things forward together. Lizzi and her team church and educational community.
“
have really become part of our Newman Family.” We are always pleased to work with OTF.”
Claire Jarman (Principal, Cardinal Newman Catholic School) Alessandro Capozzi (Deputy Head, Blatchington Mill)
14 15
Antifreeze
during our evening sessions. Our outreach provides us with the Where welcomed, we also continue to offer prayer and
opportunity to carry out on the spot welfare checks and access pastoral support in helping people know that the Lord Jesus
immediate help should it be needed. This includes signposting loves them and is with them. Whatever this year has in store
to other support services using the pivotal CovidStorm Street Sheet for us, we have plans that can be adapted to demand and
that has now been adopted as a template by national agencies. circumstances. These include the re-launch of our Centre for
goal-focused appointments, and Empower Courses designed
We are able to facilitate access to SWEP (Severe Weather to help our clients gain employment and which will also
Emergency Protocol), when external conditions mean enhance confidence, skills and experience.
enhanced risk to life for those rough sleeping. We continue to
connect clients to our Phone Call Support, which allows us to This will provide a framework in which house-reaches to clients
provide private, more in-depth assistance to clients in areas in accommodation can take place with in-person support and
such as housing, claiming benefits, finding employment and finding the most effective means we can to deliver healthy
accessing health and dental care. We also work alongside hygiene access.
many other agencies, forming natural partnerships through
mutual care and support. We are committed to continuing to work towards our key goals
of empowerment and tackling homelessness at its root causes.
A beacon Due to the generosity shown to us by various companies and
the general public, we are able to share supplies of clothes
The contingency plans are in place to enable us to continue to
do what we do best – care for those who don’t have the family
and essential items with other services in the City so they can and community networks that we enjoy.
blazing for the be distributed to others in need.
homeless
Our StreetSheet
The challenges have been big but
– brought up to
GOD IS BIGGER!
date, shared and
It is shocking that a year after lockdown started, applauded
Covid-19 is still dominating our thinking and The StreetSheet is a map-based leaflet
working. providing a detailed visual guide to
what services are available at any time
Despite this, Project Antifreeze Homeless Support continues to have a of the week in the City. The Off The Fence
crucial impact by helping people who are rough sleeping and those in Team worked tirelessly on this to keep it
temporary accommodation. By means of our physical and virtual updated and relevant during Covid and
outreach programme and phone call support we have been able to then prepared it for digital access by the
meet the needs of almost 200 different individuals, many more than national Street Support Network.
once, in the first quarter of 2021. Street Support launched their local
web portal in April. This piece of work
Our two outdoor outreach programmes - SALT (afternoons twice a and the subsequent collaboration has
week) and BLAZE (evenings twice a week, four by the Summer), enable been recognised as an example of best
us to take essential items to those in need on the streets. Thanks to the practice by Charity Digital.
Getting sleeping bags ready for the increase in demand
kindness of Roedean School, we also provide quality meals to our clients
16 17
Antifreeze
1995
Street outreach
1998 2010
Open a Own our first
day centre building
1997
Became
official charity 2021 2017
New beginnings:
Hygiene and
Empowering individuals laundry van
for the future launched
2020 2018
Covid-19 and the move Shower van and
to remote support House-Reach launched
The Antifreeze team
There’s no masking care and concern
From January 2021 to the end of March 2021:
Antifreeze Impact:
Our services were • We assisted 176 different • We assisted clients through
used by individuals in need of our our SALT and BLAZE
support outreaches 153 times
388
• We checked on clients’ • We did work behind the
individuals
welfare 260 times scenes for clients (e.g.
referrals on at least 126
• We made 207 phone calls occasions
Client Support
to clients
Interactions
• We gave out 181 care
1,264 packages of either toiletries
or clothing directly
Boxes of donated boxers!
18 19Antifreeze
Patsy
Our heart is Patsy would not engage with anyone for a very long time. One day
out of the blue she asked for some help and support with advice/
where the benefits. I called Patsy and said I would like to support you, but,
before I do I would need your consent first. She was reluctant
at first, but I explained I would not be able to act on her behalf
home isn’t. without her consent… Eventually she agreed. Bearing in mind
Patsy is a very private person and wouldn’t engage with anyone.
We built a rapport with each other and have been talking once a
month for several months and having some good conversations.
This is wonderful progress and HUGE that she started opening
up. Silence can be dangerous.
Without the vital intervention of our supporters, our one to one support work would not be able
to take place. This work includes helping clients obtain housing and/or benefits, be signposted
to physical and mental health support, connected with services that can help them address
substance misuse issues, escape abuse and exploitation along with other essential help. Dave
Dave has been a regular since the beginning of restarting outreach.
He has some extreme difficulties, from medical to addictions. Since I
have met him, I have seen the damage to his body from sleeping
rough, the effect alcohol has had on him e.g. not able to talk etc and
Jenny Sid
even his cat being taken away for a period.
So a woman I met on outreach called Jenny was one of the first It seems to me that, although we may feel that the impact
women I met when we were able to restart the outreach process. that we have on people does not amount to very much at all, Along with other people who have been on outreach with me, I
We have had numerous chats on almost every outreach. She is what we perceive may not do justice to the significance of have always tried to build a relationship with him but have been
struggling where she lives so she spends a lot of her time on the help provided. For one example, when I was outside washing met with difficulty and anger on occasion, especially when we had
streets and this is not a simple or quick situation to solve. the Emma Van, clearing its surface from presents bombarded to call the police after suicidal words were mentioned over the loss
it by the many feathered fowl here in Brighton, a man called of his cat. This is a success story because over the last month we
I have been able to help with sleeping bags, clothes, toiletries, Sid approached me. Now, I cannot go into all the details, have been able to finally get through to him and have some deep
you name it. As I see her so often I am able to ask what specific needless to say, he was distressed and wanted some help conversations about God and other mutual interests such as our love
items she needs and have helped her with trackie bottoms, with signposting and practical provision. As he received the for reading fantasy and historical fiction books. I got to spend a good
hoodies, shoes and different toiletries that would help her. help that he had required, he turned to me, quite elated, and amount of time having a productive conversation and even gave
We have also had the opportunity to chat about her welfare said: “You guys are the best! You are real life-savers!” him a spare fantasy book that I had which he really appreciated.
and how we can help at Antifreeze and so I was able to put her
in touch with Mary who has also been able to give her over the Although I didn’t think that what we were doing was He is finally in accommodation and wants to make sure he has
phone support. particularly grand or momentous, it meant a lot to the dear somewhere his cat will be safe. My hope is that this will encourage
gentleman that came to us. It reminded me that little acts of him as well and that not only will he want to look after his cat but
She has faith and we have had opportunity to pray and discuss kindness can indeed go a long way. It also serves to remind also himself and that more fruit will come. His interest in God is also
things and it always gives me great joy to see her on outreach me that Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 that we are to let our light allowing for more discussions that way and I am hoping the next
and to be able to discuss things and just sit and chat like you shine so that people may glorify God in heaven. book I can provide will be a Christian one that can further encourage
would with a friend but keeping to professional boundaries. him. If you had seen the change from the discussions we had before
She knows to expect me now and I believe things will only keep until now, you will realise just how much this is a great success and I
on improving for her over time. It’s just a marathon situation so we am encouraged to see how things can keep progressing.
have to run it that way.
20 21Events
Pennies and pounds from Heaven The Winter Appeal was significant successful with £53k being
raised, twice as much as last year. Woolly Hat Day operated on a
reduced level due to Covid but still raised around £2.3k.
Income Generation and Comms The self-contained sponsor package – Champions of Hope’ has
been launched and we are actively seeking champions who are
£815,000 raised - 124% of our annual budget was in addition to the £475k raised from Trusts and foundations prepared to take on an event, get themselves sponsored and to
and other contributions for the Gateway Appeal. This is despite receive the accolade of Champion of Hope with online recognition
virtually no events funds available and a reduced team. and a good old-fashioned offline medal and certificate.
Plus £475,000 pledged towards our Gateway
Capital Appeal Events and Appeals represented 11% of the total – a significant We are exploring the offer of involvement in the new Winter Festival
achievement when most of the live events had to be cancelled. being organised by E3Events in the heart of Brighton with possible
An exceptional year with around £1.2m raised in total although £475k Contributions to the Easter and Christmas Appeals compensated access to a 500 seater Spiegel tent. Watch this (large) space!
is being held back into 2021-2 for accounting and year end purposes. for this. Donations from individuals, churches and groups
accounted for 24% of revenues, the rest coming from other income We successfully completed our i360 jump last October with the
Trusts and Foundations increased its share of the total by 1% including gifts in kind, rental income and other sources. help of Cancom and Lawton & Dawe. Despite advanced years I
rising to 43% and this is a fantastic effort by Felicity Hyde- was allowed to take part and Paul was placed in charge of the
Thompson who maintained this contribution during a year when potential funeral arrangements. All passed without incident.
many other sources of income weren’t available. This of course
The Big Sleep-out was turned into a virtual event with participants
taking part in their gardens with tents and a full evening’s
entertainment was put on for them to access via social media
including bedtime stories, a short performance from Claire Martin
OBE and encouragement on video from the Seagulls’ Bruno Saltor.
Gateway Capital Appeal
In our second year as a Mayor’s Charity we have successfully led a
number of events and the Council have been very helpful in
Despite bureaucratic delays in contract exchange, the Capital Felicity is maintaining an average of 20 applications to trusts and endorsing our work with outside funders.
Appeal has grown into a major total so far of £475k – just £20k off the foundations a day and has also seen a remarkably successful year.
revised total that has been inflated by additional space and facilities. We have been supported superbly well by the likes of St Christopher’s
We have been very fortunate in attracting Astaris in Shoreham School in Hove who have again been constant in their support.
Two major advances have happened since my last report: as a commercial sponsor and IT provider. In moving analogue to Local supermarkets including Co-op, Tesco and Morrisons have
digital in the last year we have relied on their unswerving support, also contributed financially and in kind across the year.
Firstly, we have added Karla Hancock to the team as Corporate hardware purchasing at cost and free IT support which has saved
and Community Lead. Karla left the Brighton Fringe last year us several thousands of pounds. Other commercial partners such It has been an eventful, exciting, challenging year. The constant
after six years of senior management there. She has an enviable IT network provider Cancom, Lawton & Dawe estate agents, conundrum for anyone involved in fundraising is: are we vision-led
address book of contacts in Brighton and has organized some Sutton Winson and Brighton & Hove Albion have also been or budget constrained? I think we are all agreed on the answer.
major events in the City on the Fringe’s behalf. We are already magnificent in providing consistent and unswerving support.
planning some big events.
Secondly, the introduction of our new CRM system, Donorfy is in Roy Stannard
operation, earlier than anticipated. When complete it will provide
a more detailed, prompt snapshot of finances – as well as automating Head of Income Generation and Comms
some processes that have to be done manually at present.
22 23It came to a Trustees
screen near you.
Graham
Paul
Hollebon
Young
Lawson & Dawe preparing for their December sea
(Chair)
dip and (below) getting ready for the i360 drop
Kathie Greg
Price Peacock
Hannah Matt
Lancaster Weir
Cancom came out in force for the i360 drop
Kiki, daughter of Astaris owners Sacha and
Ivan ran a successful glove appeal
Jean David
Paul Young Liv and Gracie’s sponsored swim Cooke Goldin
Gary
Schulz
24 25Patrons
• Open doors to well-connected individuals • Share their strengths in particular sectors with
and organisations us - and will enable us to target fundraising
using their name
• Provide a name that draws the media in
• Share the work of OTF amongst their social
• Support and attend events
circles and social media following
• Enhance credibility
Patron roll of honour:
Name Who are they What they bring to us Name Who are they What they bring to us
Bruno Ex-player and club captain at BHAFC Bruno has a heart for the work of OTF and is Dee Dee is the ex-mayor (2018-19) of Brighton & Dee is a long-term supporter of OTF and is
Saltor and now a member of the coaching staff. able to help us access support and funding Simson Hove and a respected Council member. a great link into the local council.
from a variety of sources.
George Evangelist and founder of Operation George has arguably done more for world Dr Rodney Rodney is a long time patron and Rodney brings extensive experience of
Verwer Mobilisation. mission than any man alive so to have his Queen supporter. Based in Macon, Georgia USA practical organisational development and
support is a great stamp of approval for our he is Senior Pastor of Central Fellowship pioneering mission to our team.
work. Baptist Church.
Michael & Michael is Deputy Lieutenant of East They provide access to the business Claire Hove-based Claire is one of the best Claire provides a vital link into the
Maureen Sussex and Maureen is High Sheriff of community and the recognition of the Martin female jazz vocalists in the world. entertainment industry.
Chowen East Sussex. They are business leaders Queen’s representative. OBE
and philanthropists.
Peter Labour MP for Hove and Shadow Minister Peter actively speaks about OTF and our Graham Manager of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Successfully completed the season with the
Kyle for Victims and Youth Justice. work and is a great link into parliament. Potter Seagulls by keeping them out of the
relegation places!
26 27How we raised income of £815,634 in 2020/21
Charting our Finance:
Grants Gifts in
Cause Income and £346,261
Donations
Kind
£11,206
£205,284 Other
Charity Governance
Outcomes Events &
Appeals
£164,983
£88,100
2020-21 was a remarkable year
The Trustee Board shares ultimate responsibility for Off The Fence. The Gateway building purchase is
for governing Off The Fence and directing how taking place in the new financial year
Starting with £160k in the bank we would have so the total excludes Capital Appeal
it is managed and run. soon been struggling to make ends meet if our income carried forward to 2021-22.
income had followed the usual seasonal pattern.
Under the chairmanship of Graham Hollebon, Trustees are drawn
In fact we were blessed with an exceptional
from a variety of backgrounds and experience, but all share a
level of grants, donations and government
heart for the work of the charity. The full Board of Trustees meets
COVID support, especially during the first few
How we spent £664,423 in 2020/21
at least six times a year, and there is ongoing contact with the
critical months of lockdown but also throughout
management team and staff in between these formal meetings.
the rest of the year. Antifreeze
The Chair and Vice Chair are appointed at the AGM in September.
£178,128
We are very grateful to you all for your continued
Trustees pay attention to ensuring that Off The Fence maintains generosity which has enabled us to retain a full Gateway
a clear focus on delivering against its charitable purposes. Currently these responsibilities are: complement of staff to support our clients and to £125,160
They also ensure that there is a clear strategy in place which be more secure financially as we face uncertain
Schools & Youth
is understood throughout the organisation; that resources are • Governance times ahead. £123,247
allocated in an efficient way; and that there is an awareness • Risk
David Goble
of the economic, political and social environment in which the • Safeguarding Ministry Core
£95,171 £33,242
Charity operates. • People
• Property Fundraising Depreciation
At each Board meeting formal reports are presented covering • Finance Finance Manager £77,432 £32,043
income and expenditure, performance in all the core outreach
projects and an update on governance items that are relevant to The Board regularly reviews the appropriate number of Trustees
the Board. The CEO and General Manager attend these meetings and the skills and experience that are required. It undertakes a full
to provide information and to answer questions that the Board review of the mission, vision, objectives and strategic plan for the We acknowledge with thanks all the Trusts and Foundations who have given to us so generously this year:
may have. In addition, monthly financial reports are provided to Charity on a regular basis working with the management team
all Trustees. and staff. This approach was shown to work extremely well during 29TH MAY CHARITABLE TRUST, ALBERT HUNT TRUST, ALBION AS ONE FUND (AITC), ALLCHURCHES TRUST LTD, ALMA JEAN HENRY CHARITABLE TRUST,
the pandemic and especial thanks are due to our HR and HS BARLEYCORN TRUST, BEACON TRUST, BEER-HARRIS MEMORIAL TRUST, BERNARD SUNLEY FOUNDATION, BLAKEMORE FOUNDATION, BRIGHTON DISTRICT
NURSING TRUST, BRITLAND CHARITABLE TRUST, CAPUT TRUST, CARD FACTORY FOUNDATION, CHARLES WOLFSON CHARITABLE TRUST, CLOTHWORKERS
Trustees have specific areas of responsibility which enable them to Manager Helen (Aitch) Grahame and General Manager Monica
FOUNDATION, COMMUNITY TRUST OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, DAVID PICKFORD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, DEO GLORIA TRUST, DEREK AND EILEEN
‘deep dive’ into specific areas of the work of the charity, providing Harding for making sure our protocols and protection were so DODGSON FOUNDATION, ERNEST KLEINWORT CHARITABLE TRUST, FINE & COUNTRY FOUNDATION, FITTON TRUST, GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION,
both support and challenge as required. well planned and executed. GRACE TRUST, GREEN HILLS CHRISTIAN TRUST, HALL AND WOODHOUSE LTD, HOBSON CHARITY, HOMITY TRUST, J F CHARITABLE FUND, JAMES
HANNINGTON MEMORIAL TRUST, JOHN BOURNE FOUNDATION, LEAVER CHARITABLE TRUST, LILLEY BENEVOLENT FUND, LINMARDON TRUST,
M J HINDLEY CHARITABLE TRUST, MARSH CHRISTIAN TRUST, MAURICE & HILDA LAING CHARITABLE TRUST, MILLFIELD TRUST, MORRISONS FOUNDATION,
NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND, OSBORNE CHARITABLE TRUST, P E LENNARD CHARITABLE WILL TRUST, POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR
SUSSEX, PRET FOUNDATION, ROSAZ CHARITY, SHEELAGH FELCE DISCRETIONARY SETTLEMENT, SIGNET TRUST, SILVER LADY FUND, SIR HALLEY STEWART
TRUST, SMB CHARITABLE TRUST, SOUTER CHARITABLE TRUST, ST BERNARDS CHARITY, SUSSEX COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, PRIDE COMPANY, TUFTON
CHARITABLE TRUST, WYN & KEN LO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION.
28 29Off The Fence Income 1997-2021
£1,000,000
£900,000
£800,000
£700,000
£600,000
£500,000
£400,000
£300,000
£200,000
£100,000
£0
97/98
98/99
99/00
00/01
01/02
02/03
03/04
04/05
05/06
06/07
07/08
08/09
09/10
10/11
11/12
12/13
13/14
14/15
15/16
16/17
17/18
18/19
19/20
20/21*
Year
Gift of building Capital appeal General income
*nb. The £475k raised this year for the Gateway Capital Appeal is being held over into next
year’s accounts.
.. to all the businesses who have supported Off The Fence this year: ...to the churches who have shared our vision - and supported it:
ABSOLUTE MAGAZINE, ALEXANDRE BRUCE, ASDA, ASTARIS IT, BALDWIN SCOFIELD FOUNDATION (SPAR), BARBOUR CLOTHING, BRIGHTON & HOVE ALL SAINTS, PATCHAM/ASCENSION WESTDENE; BISHOP HANNINGTON; BOLNEY CHAPEL; CHICHESTER DIOCESE; DOWNS BAPTIST; HOLLAND ROAD
BUS & COACH CO, BRIGHTON LIONS, BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION, CANCOM UK LTD, C BREWER & SONS LTD, CARDENS ACCOUNTANTS PPL, CHARITY BAPTIST; HOLY TRINITY, HURSTPIERPOINT; HOUNSOME MEMORIAL; PCC OF ST PAUL’S; ST ANDREW’S, BURGESS HILL; SAFEHAVEN AT ST PETER’S
DIGITAL, COMPASS TRAVEL TRUST, CO-OPERATIVE GROUP LTD, CSL BEHRING UK LTD, FUDGIES COFFEE, GOOGLE, GRAND HOTEL, HALL & WOODHOUSE, BRIGHTON; ST PETER’S, BRIGHTON; ST PETER’S, ARDINGLY; TADLEY URC; TELSCOMBE CLIFFS COMMUNITY CHURCH; THE POINT, BURGESS HILL; UCKFIELD
LADBROKES CORAL TRUST, LAWTON & DAWE, MORRISONS FOUNDATION, NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY, PRET A MANGER, ROEDEAN SCHOOL, BAPTIST; VINEYARD, BRIGHTON; ZION HILL BAPTIST.
ROUND TABLE, ROTARY, RUIA GROUP (SOCKSHOP), SOUTHERN WATER, ST CHRISTOPHER’S SCHOOL (HOVE), SUE MUMMERY CARDS (LINDFIELD), SUTTON
WINSON LTD, TATES OF SUSSEX, TESCO, PORTSLADE, TIGER TEES LTD; WAITROSE (HOVE), YORKSHIRE BUILDING SOCIETY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION And thank you to the many churches that continue to support us via various means – we value every one of you!
30 31“
The work you did last
year with our students
was excellent and really
benefited them so it
would be great if you
were able to work with
some of them again.”
Sharon Holt (Assistant Head of Year 8,
Hove Park School)
OTFBrighton offthefencetrust OTFBrighton OffTheFenceTrust
Off The Fence Trust: 37 Portland Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 5DQ
Tel: 01273 733 566 | offthefence.org.uk
Registered charity number 1108777 | Charity company number 5300691
Design: Tom Barnard | Printing: Kenads, Worthing
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