Off The Fence Trust

Off The Fence Trust is a Brighton based registered charity founded on a Christian vision and driven by Christian values. The charity provides vital services to the most vulnerable and marginalised in our community. The charity works in the four areas of street homelessness, women at risk, education, and provides supported accommodation for vulnerable young people. Off The Fence staff are supported by an enthusiastic and committed group of more than 50 volunteers.

Another busy month with Women at Risk. We have been working at being removal people this month. One of our ladies, who is on her own with four children, was moving to a new home. She had no furniture and the children had no toys so we were on a mission to furnish her home completely and find toys for the children. We visited some second hand shops but nothing appropriate there. Some friends of ours donated furniture and toys for the children and we got started. We took her curtains and washed them, and moved some of her belongings. Another volunteer agency came in and repainted the flat in a weekend, and she was ready to go! This lady is very independent and after looking through the Friday Ad managed to furnish her home. She even persuaded the seller to bring it to her home! She is now settling in well, and is thrilled with everything she has. The family live on a bus route to school, unfortunately the nearest school is full, and there is a park about a five minute walk away. The children have a bedroom each and they have space to move about and play with their toys. The sort of things we take for granted daily.
It made me stop and think about all the good gifts we have from God. Do we appreciate them? Are we grateful for all the good things we have? Are we willing to share some of them with others not so fortunate? We can’t all give furniture or toys, we can’t all give money, but we can pray for those less fortunate than ourselves and we could give some time – a very expensive commodity.

It is now possible to raise sponsorship online for Off The Fence. If you are taking part in an event you can now set up a free website here: Just Giving. The following sites have already been set up: Paul Young for the Brighton half marathon on 18 February 2006, and Rob Lines for the Beachy Head marathon on 28 October 2006.

Muddy fields, long shower queues, four hours sleep a night, no chairs, ten and a half thousand screaming teenagers in the biggest tent imaginable -amazing opportunity or your worst nightmare?

One of the great opportunities of the summer break from schools is the chance to get involved with some of the many amazing Christian youth events that happen at this time of year. One of the best known is Soul Survivor and I have just returned from spending five days there leading a group of 16.

There were 10,500 young people and youth leaders attending Week A when we were there with 11,500 expected the following week. It was incredible to see hundreds giving their lives to God each night – including 4 from our own group!

Events like Soul Survivor offer tough challenges to those of us who work with young people but also amazing privileges as God does more than we could ever have dreamed possible right in front of our eyes!

Adele

We have been overwhelmed in the last couple of weeks by people ready to support Off The Fence by running the Brighton Half Marathon on 18 February 2007. Paul Young has already been joined by thirty others in signing up for the challenge, but we are looking lots more runners and those prepared to give it a go. In the next couple of weeks it will be possible to pledge support for our runners online, but in the meantime you can catch up on Paul's training progress here.

Tuesday night is training night, so if you'd like to join us for a jog please contact Rob Lines at the office on 01273 733732.