Nicki Morgan

BHT Sussex is looking for new Board members to support our vital work. BHT Sussex is an organisation made up of interlinked projects and services that empower people to overcome homelessness, poverty, addiction and mental ill health. The effects of the Covid pandemic and the growing cost of living crisis, together with insufficient social housing, bring uncertainty and opportunities which make the services and support that we provide more important than ever. BHT Sussex is a people-led organisation. Last year we supported more than ten thousand clients and tenants. We prevented more than 2,500 people from becoming homeless, through services … Read more

BHT Sussex has received Home Office Funding to expand the High Harm Domestic Abuse Perpetrators Programme. The Government has announced that Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne has been awarded £1.34m funding from the Home Office Domestic Abuse & Stalking Perpetrator fund. This funding will support the ongoing efforts of the Sussex Complex Domestic Abuse and Stalking Unit, in partnership with several local agencies, to enhance the High Harm Domestic Abuse Perpetrators Programme. The primary objective of this initiative is to minimise the harm inflicted by perpetrators of domestic abuse, and further explore effective strategies for supporting offenders … Read more

BHT Sussex has launched a new campaign which seeks to change the system that discriminates against homeless hostel residents who start work. BHT Sussex is to press the Government to end an unfairness in the benefits system which results in homeless hostel residents being financially disadvantaged when they start working. This is a national problem affecting both individuals and the economy as a whole. We are lobbying MPs and parliamentary groups to ask for a change in the way earnings are calculated by Housing Benefit to match how earnings are calculated by Universal Credit. Our Accommodation for Work Project, funded … Read more

Have a read of BHT Sussex’s annual review, available now! This year’s review shines a spotlight on Phase One, our high-support hostel for people experiencing homelessness in Brighton. We discuss some of the things that make this service special, and share insights and stories from our clients and frontline staff. We also introduce some of our newer services, including the East Sussex Floating Support Service and the Homes for Ukraine Sustainment Service. As usual you can hear from those who have been helped by BHT Sussex, and find out more about our impact, services, finances and fundraising. Click here to … Read more

The Choir with No Name Brighton, a choir involving people who have experienced homelessness and marginalisation, is returning to Brighton Dome on Tuesday 6 December for The Big Christmas Singalong. This year the Choir with No Name will be joined at the unique feel-good event by special guests SK Shlomo, Sambaoke and Rock Choir. The Choir with No Name’s Big Christmas Singalong at the Dome has become an annual highlight in the Brighton Christmas calendar, with audience members coming back year after year to enjoy festive favourites, from ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ to ‘White Christmas’ and everything … Read more

My Choice Homes, a group of nine children’s homes and two schools based in Sussex and Surrey, are putting together backpacks of essential items to donate to homeless charities across Sussex this Christmas. BHT Sussex is delighted to be one of their chosen charities, and we will pass on the packs to clients of our First Base Day Centre. The centre provides vital services, support and advice to people who are rough sleeping or vulnerably housed. Terri Meade, Charity and Events Co-ordinator at My Choice Homes, said: Our mission is to engage our children in charity work and giving to … Read more

BHT Sussex is delighted to announce that we have been awarded Gold accreditation from Investors in People. Investors in People is a well-recognised national award and gold accreditation is only given to organisations which can demonstrate excellence in the way they develop and support people. Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: We would like to congratulate BHT Sussex. Gold accreditation is a fantastic achievement for any organisation, and places BHT Sussex in fine company with a host of leading organisation’s that understand the value of people. Daniel O’Connell, Head of People and Learning & Development at BHT Sussex, … Read more

BHT Sussex’s Archway project consists of two mental health care homes in Hove that have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The Archway project is currently piloting a Step-Down service which supports people who are clinically ready to leave hospital but require intensive support to do so. This service has just been awarded £4,700 from the National Lottery Community Fund to help transform the project’s garden into a therapeutic space. Staff, clients, and volunteers plan to work together to develop a sensory space in the garden, planting flowers and shrubs with different textures and fragrances, adding decorative stones … Read more

BHT Sussex has appointed David Chaffey as its new Chief Executive to succeed Andy Winter who is standing down in the new year after 20 years in the post. David has been the organisation’s Director of Housing and Property Services since 2017 having joined from the largest housing association in the country, Affinity Sutton (now Clarion) where he was Head of Resident Involvement. David began his career in 1987 at Mid Sussex District Council as a Housing Officer. The Chair of the BHT Sussex Board, Kelvin MacDonald, said: We attracted a very strong field of candidates from around the country. … Read more

Last week saw the long-awaited return of our ‘Getting Ready for Work’ event, which more than one hundred people attended. It took place at the Friends Meeting House in Brighton and was organised by our Accommodation for Work project, with a guest appearance from the Choir with No Name! The event brings together clients and keyworkers of homeless services with work and learning providers in the city, it has been successfully running for many years but had to be paused during the pandemic. The Accommodation for Work project aims to help homeless people off the streets and into employment, and … Read more