Our Story
For nearly 30 years, Off The Fence’s vision has been to see an end to social and spiritual poverty in Brighton and Hove.
In 1993, Off The Fence’s founder, Rev. Paul Young, was confronted with a question that would define our mission:
“When are Christians going to get off the fence and do something about homelessness?”
Determined to act, Paul and his wife, Wendy, began walking the streets, meeting rough sleepers where they were, offering practical support, prayer, guidance, and dignity. What started as two people with a vision quickly grew into a movement, a united effort across churches, businesses, volunteers, and supporters who refused to turn away from those in need.
Off The Fence became a UK-registered charity in 1997.
(Paul sharing the mission, 2015)
(Street Outreach, 2019)
“We started to give out the sleeping bags, clothes, hot drinks, and it continued to grow from that. Over the years, we used a coach that would house the homeless, especially over the Christmas months. We had 6 people in that van and we looked after them as they struggled through the bitter winters.”
— Rev. Paul Young
(Julio furthering the mission, 2023)
(Street support, 2024)
Today, Off The Fence operates across three main areas of need: homelessness, women at risk and schools and youth.
We provide long-term solutions through our 2 Day Centres, 1 outreach van and 6 core local schools. This work takes the support of just over 150 trained volunteers, staff and interns.
At the heart of our work is a belief that every person deserves dignity, hope, and the opportunity to rebuild their life.
Today, led by our CEO, Rev. Julio Abraham, we are committed to being a lifeline, a refuge, and a catalyst for change in the city, and we can’t do it alone.
Together, we can resist poverty, empower people, and restore hope.