Nicki Morgan Fulfilling Lives South East is finding new ways to support vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic, and has published an insightful report on its impact on clients and staff.
Sussex Oakleaf, a local provider of mental health services which merged with BHT in April 2020, has launched a new online platform. It is aimed at providing advice, information, support, and resources to people who are struggling with their mental health. The platform, which can be accessed through the Sussex Oakleaf website at www.sussexoakleaf.org.uk/onlinesupport/will allow visitors to chat one to one, through any internet enabled device, with one of Sussex Oakleaf’s trained mental health Recovery Workers. Visitors can ask questions, share their concerns, or receive guidance on how best to manage their mental health or the mental health of a … Read more
BHT has won a bronze award in the prestigious 2020 Charity Film Awards, for a powerful film about homelessness. These awards celebrate the effective use of video by the third sector to change mindsets, raise awareness or fundraise. BHT’s film was made without charge by Hove-based Big Egg Films, and generously donated to our Christmas fundraising campaign. The gala ceremony that was planned for the awards night was replaced with a live streamed version on 21 April where the winners were announced. 400 films were entered in the awards and winners were decided by a combination of a public vote, … Read more
The Spring 2020 edition of Lighthouse Magazine, our quarterly magazine for clients and tenants, is out now. Articles cover a variety of topics, including the changes we have made to our services to keep you safe during the coronavirus pandemic, and an update on the official merger of BHT and Sussex Oakleaf, which happened on 1 April 2020. It also contains an update from the Tenant Scrutiny Panel, which is putting together its findings on the impact of Universal Credit on BHT tenants and, on a lighter note, details of how to get involved in the next BHT in Bloom … Read more
As of today 1 April 2020, BHT successfully completed its merger with Sussex Oakleaf, a specialist provider of mental health services. This has been achieved in spite of the coronavirus pandemic and has followed eighteen months of negotiations. Both organisations have long histories of providing effective front-line services to those who need it most, and by joining together can support more people and have a greater impact. Andy Winter, Chief Executive of BHT, is staying on to lead the newly merged organisation. He said: We are truly excited for the opportunities that this merger will bring, not just to the … Read more
Kerry Dowding, Research and Evaluation Officer for Fulfilling Lives South East, has had an article published by the journal Social Research Practice. Her article looks at co-production in research, and how the Fulfilling Lives project applies this approach in practice with people who have experienced multiple and complex needs. The aim is to encourage social researchers across the UK to work more co-productively. Kerry has drawn learning from her work supporting the Fulfilling Lives Peer Research Network, a dynamic group of volunteers and staff with lived experience of multiple and complex needs, who conduct research within the project. They are … Read more
BHT has appointed a new Director of Support Services in preparation for its merger with Sussex Oakleaf in April. Rachael Kenny is currently the Head of Participation at the Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust, having had an 18 year career within the NHS. A social worker by training, Rachael also has five years experience working in the voluntary sector, including in homelessness services. Rachael will be joining a strong and experienced management team at BHT which is currently made up of: Director of Advice and Support Services, Nikki Homewood; Director of Housing and Property Services, David Chaffey; Director of Finance … Read more
BHT has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2020 Charity Film Awards. These awards celebrate the effective use of video by the third sector to change mindsets, raise awareness or fundraise. BHT’s film was made without charge by Hove-based Big Egg Films, and generously donated to their Christmas fundraising campaign. 400 films were entered in the awards and 65,000 people took part in the initial public vote to determine the shortlist. Now the second round of public voting has opened and this, combined with input from a panel of expert judges, will determine the winners. The video made by Big Egg … Read more
BHT is hosting the Clock Tower Sanctuary (CTS) at First Base Day Centre while CTS undergoes refurbishments at their North Street premises, enabling this vital service for young homeless people in Brighton to continue. The Clock Tower Sanctuary will run its drop-in service out of First Base for four afternoons per week until the end of April, meaning that local young people with nowhere to call home can still access warm showers, hot food, and support. BHT’s First Base (pictured right) is Brighton’s largest resource centre supporting people who are street homeless. More than 15,000 visits were made to their … Read more
Fulfilling Lives South East, a partnership led BHT with partners Equinox and Oasis Project, is working with organisations up and down the country to increase access to mental health support for the most vulnerable. They are part of a campaign movement called #seethefullpicture, which aims to raise awareness of the challenges people experiencing homelessness, addiction, poor mental health and other complex needs face in their lives. The current #seethefullpicture campaign centres on a petition which aims to ensure that everyone can access mental health support when they need it. Currently those facing addiction and mental ill health are frequently denied … Read more
BHT is one of the partners delivering the Routes Careers Programme which offers free, personal support for those needing some help on their journey into employment. Routes has launched a new website to give people who find it hard to get a job a central place to find support – www.routes.org.uk If you, or someone you know, wants to work but struggles to find something suitable, Routes can help. We’ll support you with free practical help and support you to learn the skills needed to unlock your potential. With partner organisations around Brighton and Hove and West Sussex, you’ll be … Read more
Last Thursday 9 February BHT held its biannual ‘Getting Ready to Learn, Volunteer and Work’ event in central Brighton. The event, which is now in its sixth year, is aimed at people who are receiving support because they are homeless and those providing support for homeless people. It brings together those seeking opportunities to get work or undertake learning with those who provide such opportunities in Brighton. Around 125 people took part, including 38 providers of services providing support for homeless people, and work and well-being skills opportunities. This event is organised by BHT’s Accommodation for Work project, which provides … Read more
