Call for the Chancellor to exempt charities from increase in Employers' National Insurance contribution

BHT’s chief executive has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, calling on him to exempt registered charities from the recently announced increase in Employers' National Insurance contributions.

Andy Winter made his call after the Chancellor's announcement would, he said, add £53,000 to the costs of running the organisation and would therefore reduce the BHT's ability to deliver services to some of the most vulnerable and excluded men and women in Sussex.

In his letter Andy Winter wrote that even before the current financial difficulties, charities such as BHT had experienced pressure on their finances. He said, "Over the last three years BHT has been successful in retaining existing contracts and winning new ones, but we have seen the value of contracts with local and national government eroded".

He said that the concept of Full Cost Recovery, the government's stated intention that third sector organisations should be paid for the full cost of providing services commissioned by statutory bodies, "is no more than a pipe dream".

Mr. Winter recognised that there was some responsibility on charities to play their part in the responding to the recession. He said, "We have not been complacent and have taken steps to flex our costs in line with income. For example, we have cut salaries for most of our 228 employees so that our costs reflect the reducing values of contracts.

"The proposed increase in Employers' National Insurance contribution will add £55,000 to costs. This will reduce the capacity to deliver services to some of the most vulnerable and excluded men and women in Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings”.

He urged the Chancellor to exempt registered charities from this increase, saying that it would demonstrate the government's support for charities and, in the case of BHT "would enable us to deliver services that are all the more needed during the time of recession."

Posted: Tuesday 15th December 2009

A thought for those not so fortunate this Christmas

BHT is appealing for donations in the run up to Christmas to enable it to make Christmas an enjoyable one for homeless men and women in Brighton and Hove.

We are asking for donations for First Base Day Centre - a BHT project working with over 100 men and women every day. The Day Centre offers a range of services from affordable nutritious food, clean and dry clothing, showers and laundry facilities to advice, support and work and learning opportunities.

Simon Hughes, First Base Day Centre Manager, said,

“Christmas time is a special time for most of us – time to spend with family and friends. For everyone we see at First Base Day Centre over Christmas, this is not a time for festivity or fun. It is a time to be tolerated, a lonely time."

“At First Base we try to make Christmas more bearable. We are planning to cook a full Christmas breakfast on Christmas day morning for 100 Day Centre users. The Centre will be decorated and music will be played but most importantly First Base will be open for people to spend time in the company of others. Without donations, small or large, we simply will not be able to make our plans for Christmas a reality”.

Our official runner in the Brighton Marathon 2010

A leading consulting engineer, Tom Bedford, will be running in next year’s Brighton Marathon for BHT.

Tom, aged 62, ran his first marathon 10 years ago in London, again in support of BHT. Tom said,

"I am 10 years older and the challenge is all the more daunting. However, the need for the services provided by BHT are greater than ever. Through my company BEP Consulting Engineers, I have worked on many projects on behalf of BHT. I am currently advising them on the refurbishment of First Base Day Centre, and I have also being a consultant on some of their flagship developments such as the Phase 1 Project and the Recovery Project."

"I have always been impressed by their work and I am aware that homelessness, mental health problems and addiction can affect anybody, no matter what their class or background. Putting myself through a few hours of misery to raise money to help BHT will be worth the pain, every step of the way".

BHT Chief Executive, Andy Winter, said,

"Tom has been a long-standing supporter of the work of BHT, but running with the Brighton Marathon takes his support to a new level. I would urge all those who know Tom, and those who value the work of BHT, to sponsor him, thereby giving him encouragement and BHT much-needed support".

BHT accommodation project highlighted by Government for innovation and good practice

A BHT housing scheme that supports homeless and unemployed men and women back into work has been highlighted by a Government Department for innovation and good practice.

BHT’s Accommodation for Work project, run in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council, is just one of two schemes nationwide to be included in a new publication from the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). The publication Working Hostels showcases the Accommodation for Work project which accommodates 18 residents at any one time and is run from three properties in central Brighton.

Project Manager, Bernadette Lynch, said,

“We provide low support since residents at this stage of their journey are able to live independently. We provide intensive housing management so that residents remain focused on their progression. We also provide a lot of encouragement for progress made".

“We provide employment and training advice within the service, but Brighton and Hove is very lucky to have a wide range of employment schemes that are used by our residents. However, it is the safe and secure accommodation that provides a platform for residents to achieve amazing things”.

Director of Homelessness Services at BHT, Nikki Homewood, said,

“The project is successful because it provides a stepping stone service that allows individuals to move from rough sleeping and homelessness into work and stable independent housing. We are able to keep rents relatively low because BHT owns a number of properties. The scheme is affordable for service users accessing training and employment and they can get to a stage where they can access properties charging market rents".

"The model provided by BHT can be replicated nationwide which is one reason why Accommodation for Work has been included as just one of two schemes nationwide for inclusion in this publication”.

Former SUI Consultant Digs her Award

A former Service User Involvement Consultant for BHT, Erica received a runner-up award for Outstanding Achievement in Education at the Crisis Changing Lives Champions Awards, hosted by Barclays Bank.

Erica, an ex-resident of BHT’s Addiction Services, received an award from Crisis in 2007 which enabled her to study horticulture at college. The grant enabled her to buy specialist outdoor clothing and was pivotal in Erica’s success. Erica attended the ceremony at Barclays Head office in Canary Wharf on 19 October 2009 accompanied by her BHT support worker, Babs Troke and a guest. As part of her prize, Erica will be having a guided tour around Kew Gardens with Gardener's Worlds' Joe Swift. Erica is now working part-time as a gardener and her future is blossoming.

New project will dramatically reduce homelessness and unemployment in the City

An innovative new project has been launched in Brighton and Hove to create better life chances for 900 homeless and insecurely housed men and women.

Firm Foundations; a Brighton Housing Trust (BHT) project, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund, will give men and women the skills through a comprehensive training programme to move into employment and to find independent accommodation.

A specialised ‘skills pathway’ has been developed, including a tenant accreditation scheme and a peer education programme, designed to offer individuals the best opportunities to secure both private rented accommodation and employment.

Phil Oakley, Private Rented Sector Initiatives Manager, said,

“Participants will learn skills which will prove to landlords that they are ready and prepared to become responsible tenants. Overall, the course is designed to promote tenant behaviour that meets the expectations of landlords and thus ensures that the tenancy is sustainable".

“A parallel 'pathway to employment' will also be developed making use of existing work and learning schemes in the city. Those doing the training will be supported to access and sustain work and learning opportunities, thereby overcoming the barrier where individuals cannot sustain training or employment because they are homeless".

“I am really excited about this new project and feel confident that it will help people break the cycle of homelessness and unemployment”.

BHT Chief Executive, Andy Winter, said,

“Brighton and Hove is characterised by high property prices where 24% of all accommodation is in the private rented sector, double the national average. It is great that BHT has been able to increase our capacity to work with people to help them to access accommodation in the private rented sector and increase their chances of getting employment. A service such as this lies at the heart of our Mission of tackling homelessness, creating opportunities and promoting change".

“Leading this scheme for BHT is Phil Oakley who has worked in private rented housing management for many years. He is known and trusted by private landlords which means that this scheme has an advantage right from the outset”.

Supported Housing Month

Monday 16th November will see the launch of the National Housing Federation's Supported Housing Month, a celebration of the work that is done to support 136,000 vulnerable people throughout the South East.

Throughout the month a series of events and activities will be held to raise the profile of services and the work that is done through Supporting People funded projects in the South East.

On the 16th November a range of projects based in the city will be holding an exhibition at the newly refurbished reception area at BHT’s head office on London Road. The exhibition will hold a wide range of city based services, allowing them to show and talk about the work that they do and the difference they have made to people's lives.

BHT celebrates World Food Day

BHT has held a drop in event to give homeless, insecurely housed and vulnerable men and women the opportunity to taste a variety of foods, collect a range of exciting recipe cards and take home some tips on how to eat well on a budget. Information was also available for those that are interested in finding out more about local allotment projects throughout the Brighton and Hove.

Event organiser, Karen Robinson said,

“World Food Day was a great success. Over 35 clients visited the event, some of whom participated in a workshop which went really well. A range of raffle prizes were generously donated by Sainsbury’s and Bills and were all gratefully received by our lucky winners.”

Mayor thanks volunteer for 18 years of service

BHT has celebrated the dedication and loyal work of one of its volunteers with a special gathering at the Mayor's Parlour in Brighton Town Hall.

A mix of Brighton Housing Trust (BHT) staff, managers and board members joined the Mayor, Cllr Anne Norman, to thank 83 year old Myrtle Skelton for her 18 years of service at First Base Day Centre, BHT’s open access day centre working with over 100 homeless, insecurely housed and vulnerable men and women each day.

Myrtle has dedicated her time to working in the kitchen at First Base and has helped and encouraged a substantial number of service users to gain catering skills that will help them to move away from homelessness and into a range of work and learning opportunities.

Myrtle has also helped to cook the Christmas dinner for 100 guests every year without fail since she started her voluntary work at First Base in 1991.

BHT Chief Executive, Andy Winter said,

“We are all so very grateful for Myrtle’s dedication to First Base Day Centre and all the good work that she has done there. The service users have always respected her and her food has always been appreciated by all. Myrtle has made a big difference to many people’s lives over the last 18 years and her retirement will leave a big gap at the day centre. We cannot thank her enough for all her hard work.“

Myrtle Skelton said,

“I enjoyed working at First Base very much. I think it is a grand thing they are doing, although it is sad that the service is needed at all.

“It is lovely to have this get together at the Mayor's Parlour although it never felt like a chore at First Base and I always thoroughly enjoyed myself there so this all feels rather unwarranted”.

For more information on First Base Day Centre and voluntary opportunities please contact Simon Hughes on 01273 326844

Posted: Friday 16th October 2009

BHT celebrates World Food Day

BHT's Support4Housing service is having a drop in event to give homeless, insecurely housed and vulnerable men and women the opportunity to taste a variety of foods, collect a range of exciting recipe cards and take home some tips on how to eat well on a budget. Information will also be made available for those that are interested in finding out more about local allotment projects throughout Brighton and Hove.

Event organiser, Karen Robinson said,

“World Food Day is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote healthy living and eating to our client group in a relaxed, informal and fun way. There will be so many different things going on for people to get involved in with lots of tasters on offer and free teas and coffee for everyone. We will also be holding a raffle with some great food related prizes to be won. I hope as many people as possible come along and join in what promises to be a fun filled afternoon.”

BHT Senior Manager, Jim Aspdin, said

“The World Food Day celebrations will be so beneficial to our service users and will make a big difference in encouraging people to think more about the food they eat. It is also great to see the newly refurbished reception area at 144 London Road being put to such good use. It is proving to be an invaluable space for our service users”!.

The event will take place on the 16th October from 12.00pm – 3.00pm at 144 London Road, Brighton.

Peer Support Volunteers Graduate

The latest group of Peer Support Volunteers, whom have all overcome problems and difficulties in their own lives, have been trained to provide support and guidance to others, and have now graduated at a ceremony in Brighton. The Peer2Peer Project is a joint venture between Southdown Housing Association and Brighton Housing Trust.

The four volunteers, Brian Ellis, Tim Miller, Justin Pierce and Laura Tuxford, received certificates from the recently appointed Chair of the Board of Southdown Housing Association, Andrew Doig.

Speaking at the ceremony, Andrew Doig said,

“It is truly inspirational to be here today to hear about the remarkable achievements of not just these four Peer support volunteers but others who are already delivering such a valuable service to others”.

Southdown HA Chief Executive, Aideen Jones, said,

“Over the last two and a half years, since Peer2Peer was launched, over 2,000 hours of support has been provided by the original three Peer Support volunteers. This is an absolutely staggering contribution to the work of both Southdown and BHT, but more importantly to the wellbeing of those receiving this excellent service”.

BHT Chief Executive, Andy Winter, said,

“All of the original Peer Support volunteers continue with their work. They have set a very high standard in achievement and persistence. They have set a challenging benchmark for the latest graduates of the Peer2Peer Foundation Skills Training Programme, but a benchmark that they are all eager to achieve”.

The Peer2Peer Project is funded by Brighton and Hove City Council through the Supporting People Initiative. The Project employs two full time Peer Support Co-ordinators, Justin Parker from Southdown HA, and Jim Keohan from BHT.

Posted: Thursday 15th October 2009

6th Service User Involvement Event a fantastic success

BHT service users gathered for the 6th annual Service User Involvement event last Friday. The event, held at the Brighthelm Centre, was organised to give service users the opportunity to meet with other service users and give their feedback on BHT services and access advice and information.

BHT's Service User Involvement Co-ordinator, Anthony Irtelli, said:

“The Service User Involvement event gets bigger and better year on year and this year has been no exception. Over 125 service users attended the event to help to influence what is planned and influence the priorities and decisions of management and the board at BHT.”

“Service users allow us to see things from their unique perspective; from those who have used the services and know first hand exactly what works and what doesn’t. This knowledge is simply priceless.”

BHT Chief Executive, Andy Winter, spoke at the event to highlight the difference that service user involvement makes to BHT. He said,

“Over the last 12 months service users have been involved in defining and preparing bids for contracts – all of which we have won."

“There is service user representation in the selection of new members of staff, and recently a service user was on the panel that appointed our new Director of Supported Housing, Wendy Taylor, the most senior appointment in BHT in five years. BHT has discontinued its own public magazine, BHT News, and now uses Express, the magazine written and produced by service users because it was so much better than anything we produced ourselves!”

There were a wide variety of stalls as well as a buffet provided by Dine! (a social enterprise catering organisation run by BHT) and a prize raffle.

Garden of Eve for Threshold Women’s Counselling Service

BHT has been awarded funds to create a serene space for the women and children that use its services. Threshold Women’s Counselling Service applied for the funds from the Southern FM “Have a Heart” appeal, to clear and develop the outside space at its base in central Brighton and create ‘The Garden of Eve’, an urban space of calm and tranquillity.

Threshold works with women experiencing mental ill health and emotional stress such as depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide and self harm. Its services are targeted at women living on low incomes that are vulnerable such women with experience of violence and abuse.

Emma Seymour, BHT service manger, said,

“We are really pleased that the “Have a Heart” appeal funded us for this really important project. Having an outside space is going to make such a difference to the women who are using our counselling services as well as for the children who use the crèche”.

Threshold Manager, Ann Parsons, said,

“It will be really beneficial to our service users to be able to sit outside in a safe, relaxed environment after their counselling sessions and take some time to reflect. It is also going to be a fantastic for the children in the crèche to have an outside place to explore and play in."

“The majority of the funding will be used to clear and develop the outside space but money has also been put aside to buy equipment for the new space. A range of chairs and tables, waterproof cushions and toys will be bought as well as a number of raincoats and Wellington boots so that the children can enjoy the garden whatever the weather!”

An area of the garden will also be used to plant flowers and a variety of vegetables.

Helping Women Refugees Overcome Trauma

BHT's Threshold Women's Counselling Service is playing its part to help women who have fled oppression to overcome past traumas. A series of workshops for women who have sought asylum, journeys of resilience, will begin on October 8.

The seven-week course for 12 women will be run in a partnership between the Sussex Centre for Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex and BHT's Threshold service.

Prof Sally Munt from the University of Sussex said,

"Women refugees can have different experiences of war, political oppression, torture and trauma than men. They are also more likely to have dependents. Gaining refugee status takes a long time, often years, by which time men and women and their families have suffered considerable hardship, isolation and hardship".

The course is intended to offer collective support to help participants explored their experiences and gain insight and confidence. Threshold became part of BHT is 2007 and runs a range of services for women in Brighton and Hove and can be contacted on 01273 622886

BHT also runs the Immigration Legal Service that provides specialist advice and representation on behalf of those whose legal entitlement to remain in the UK is uncertain and those seeking asylum in this country. We employ a specialist team of solicitors and advisors at our centre at Community Base, Queens Road, Brighton. The service can be contacted on 01273 234755

Posted: Thursday 24th September 2009

2nd BHT Care Home gets 3 Star “Excellent” Rating in Inspection

A second registered BHT care home has a secured three star “Excellent” rating following its most recent inspection from care homes regulator, the Care Quality Commission.

The Portland Road Project, which recently celebrated its 20th birthday, received its three star “Excellent” rating, the highest rating awarded by the Commission. Earlier in the year, BHT’s Sackville Gardens Project secured the same rating.

(Right) Andy Winter (CE) pictured with the first ever Portland Road resident, Ann Wilton

Project Manager, Geraldine O’Haire, said,

“We are all delighted to have the quality of our work recognised. My staff team is dedicated to ensuring that residents receive the best possible service. Much of the way we work is influenced directly by the feedback we receive from residents”.

“I am so pleased that the efforts of our staff at Portland Road are being recognised. The main beneficiaries are the nine men and women who live at the Portland Road Project. This is external validation that they are receiving an excellent service”.

The Portland Road Project provides supported accommodation for fourteen residents in two houses in Hove. People who come into the project have experienced long-term mental health problems.

Posted: Tuesday 22nd September 2009

Service Users prepare for the 6th annual BHT Service User Involvement event

New appointment for Brighton Housing Trust

BHT has appointed a new director for its supported housing services. Wendy Taylor, currently the manager of the Trust’s First Base Day Centre since 2003, will take up her new post on October 5th. Ms Taylor has previously worked in residential and street outreach work in London.

Wendy said,

“I am extremely pleased and excited to have been appointed to the Director of Supported Housing post. The services in this department are excellent and are run by experienced and creative staff that I am looking forward to working with. The future looks bright for BHT but certainly there are challenges ahead as there are with lots of organisations who are weathering the current economic climate. However, I feel very optimistic and am glad to have been given this opportunity within BHT.”

BHT Chief Executive, Andy Winter, said,

“Wendy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new role. She is energetic and imaginative and understands the challenges facing the service area over the next three years. She will join my senior management team and will help steer the organisation through a period of growth between now and 2014”

Posted: Monday 14th September 2009

Jazz non-stop for a week!

Brighton Housing Trust was visited by a Jazz Quartet to play to the clients and staff at it’s head office at 144 London Road and hosted the quartet in the reception area, which has recently been refurbished to provide a drop in service for over 300 vulnerable people in the city.

The band is touring the UK to promote Jazz music and encourage the infamous, improvised style back into British culture. The artists joined BHT on the first leg of their challenge taking them through seven cities, playing twenty four hours a day for seven days. Throughout their journey, the quartet will play a piece of music entitled ‘The Never Ending Song’.

Chief Executive of BHT, Andy Winter said,

“This is a really exciting campaign and we were really happy to accommodate the quartet and support them in their worthy cause. It is also a fantastic opportunity for our service users and staff to experience and enjoy some live jazz music in our newly refurbished drop in area. The space is perfect for events such as this one and we hope that we can become more involved in occasions like this.”

The campaign has been sponsored by Pizza Express

Posted: Tuesday 8th September 2009

Innovative new scheme provides sustainable housing

Brighton Housing Trust is launching a new innovative scheme designed to maximise the use of the private rented sector in providing sustainable housing solutions that will benefit both tenants, landlords and agents.

The Studio Flat Leasing Scheme will provide three-year security, a decent market return, guaranteed payments regardless of vacancies and non-payment of rent, and a guarantee that the property will be returned in good condition, allowing for reasonable wear and tear.

The Studio Flat Leasing Scheme manager, Phil Oakley, who has 25 years experience of housing management in both the social and private rented sectors, said:

“We realise that what landlords and agents want are reliable tenants. The scheme is aimed at tenants who are ready for the move into the Private Rented Sector. We will provide them with all the practical support and information they need to make the final move to full independence. Landlords will not need to worry about their property because of the guarantees we will offer.”

BHT Assistant Chief Executive, John Holmstrom, said:

"Everything coming from government, both nationally and locally, identifies the private rented sector as the cornerstone of meeting housing need in England. In Brighton and Hove this is particularly the case as 24% of all homes are in the private rented sector. Due to issues of affordability, many people cannot get on the home ownership ladder and the private rented sector is the only solution available to them".

"We see this scheme as been the cornerstone of some of the employment initiatives we are involved with it. There are people in work who are in housing need who will benefit from this scheme. We see that the skills gained through our support services that underpin the Studio Flat Leasing Scheme will provide the core qualities required for individuals currently out of work to gain employment".

Brighton Housing Trust launches innovative catering social enterprise

BHT has launched a catering social enterprise to help homeless men and women gain employment whilst raising much needed funds for its services. Dine!, a high quality catering service, is staffed by homeless, insecurely housed and vulnerable adults in Brighton and Hove. The innovative business offers a variety of menus according to the season, with an emphasis on ingredients being sourced and grown locally wherever possible.

Participants will cater for events of all types and sizes from working lunches and boardroom buffets to family celebrations and weddings. A wide range of cakes will also be baked to order for functions as well as local cafes and delis.

“Dine! is a unique project that enables homeless men and women to learn new skills, and begin to take steps to move away from homelessness and towards a more positive future. All participants have graduated from an initial 6 week training programme run at First Base Day Centre. The trainees come to Dine! with kitchen skills, an enthusiasm for catering, a food hygiene certificate and identified goals and expectations".

“Dine! started out as a training scheme for service users at First Base Day Centre. Over the last two years it has established a great reputation for delivering high quality, affordable buffets and began to really take off. It made us realise there was potential to develop the service into a social enterprise in order to continue creating opportunities for our service users whilst raising much needed funds for Brighton Housing Trust. I am really excited to be coordinating Dine! and feel confident that it will grow from strength to strength”.

Dine! participants will work in a voluntary capacity, learning all aspects of the catering industry as well as learning a range of softer skills such as communication, understanding finance and budgets and team work. The experience will also focus on raising participant’s confidence and self esteem and helping them to realise their full potential.

Eclectic book of photography published by homeless men and women in Brighton

A series of photographs taken by service users at First Base Day Centre has been collated to create an inspiring and thought provoking book. Lifescapes IV contains a collection of images that share hidden histories, abstract observations and reveals the personal and public lives of those behind the camera lens.

The glossy book is the most recent in a series of photography projects held at BHT’s First Base Day Centre for homeless and vulnerable adults, and participants were able to explore a range of ideas and photographic techniques. The Arts Council, Jessops and Brighton Housing Trust funded project, used a mix of automatic, SLR and Digital cameras to create the unique coffee table book, allowing people to enjoy a wide range of photography and gain an insight into the lives and minds of service users at First Base Day Centre.

Wendy Taylor, Operations Manager at the day centre said:
“Landscapes IV has not only been a really exciting project but a fantastically beneficial one for our service users. The project has taught the group a wide range of photography skills as well as enabling them to use the art form as a therapeutic outlet. Everyone is really pleased with the end result”.

First Base has a limited number of books to be sold for £5 plus postage and packaging. All the money raised will go back into the day centre to continue delivering high quality art projects for its services users.

Local lawyers raise £5,000 for BHT and the CAB

Enjoy the beautiful Sussex Downs and raise money for BHT’s Legal Aid Advice Centre

First Cut Take 3 Event Success

First Cut Take 3 – First Base get involved with the Brighton Fringe Festival 2009

A thought during hard times