Serving Brighton & Hove since 1997

Here we are at the beginning of our 25th anniversary of trying to balance the social and economic scales in Brighton & Hove.

Since 1997, Off the Fence Trust has stayed true to its original mission through staff changes, tens of thousands of rough sleepers, thousands of vulnerable women and more than 100,000 school children. In that time, we have seen well over £9 million entrusted to us to make a real difference in our City.

We have tackled both the root causes and the effects of emotional and physical poverty; walked alongside those impacted; providing practical support and taking our hands and hearts to where they are most needed.

Our mission, along with our logo with compassion at its centre, hasnt changed in 25 years. If anything, it has become more anchored.

Resisting poverty. Empowering people. Restoring hope.

We have many amazing stories to tell. In the last year alone we raised over half a million to purchase and extend our Gateway Womens Centre in Portslade; we completely refurbished our Antifreeze Homless facility, added a laundry and a shower unit; and we reached over 10,000 young people through our dedicated Schools and Youth team that was also equipped with a mobile video unit for use in schools.

We are currently a Mayors charity; we raised £34,000 in November with our Seagulls-supported Big Sleep Out; we number Graham and Rachel Potter, Bruno Saltor and Raquel Seliva, Peter Kyle MP and Claire Martin OBE amongst our patrons and we have 8 trustees, 23 dedicated staff, a team of volunteers, 2000 regular supporters and dozens of Brighton companies who regularly put others needs before their own.

This year we have a packed schedule of events, celebrations and opportunities to participate. We have launched our 25 for 25 initiative where individuals, companies, groups, schools and churches can select a challenge and then raise money through sponsorship across the year. We would love you to get involved in this. Our JustGiving Page is here. You can also text donations to our dedicated number: Text OTFSILVER25 to 70085 to donate £25. OTFSILVER5/10/15/20/50 etc for other amounts.

In the last quarter of a century we have achieved much, but there is much still to do.