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.

A former news reader who became homeless in Hove is attracting massive national and local media attention.

Ed Mitchell once worked for the BBC, ITN and Sky and was earning £100,000 a year. However, after experiencing redundancy and credit card debts that spiralled out of control he ended up sleeping rough.

His recognition of the support that Off The Fence has given him has led to a lot of media interest in the charity. In an interview with BBC South Today, Project Antifreeze worker Mervyn Weeks spoke of the variety of people who end up homeless in our city. People from all sorts of successful and professional backgrounds can find themselves in desperate situations and need help.

Our Project Antifreeze staff and volunteers run a nightly outreach service to provide food, hot drinks and emergency sleeping bags to the homeless in Brighton and Hove. The Project also operates an Advice Centre on Portland Road, Hove, where those who are homeless can find one-to-one counselling, advice and support.

For more information on this report please see: BBC South Today & The Argus & BBC Radio 4 Interview.