Nicki Morgan

A blue plaque was recently unveiled at 101 Round Hill Crescent, Brighton to commemorate the first hospital in England to offer mental health care and treatment to poorer women. Rachael Kenny, Director of Mental Health and Support at BHT Sussex, spoke at the unveiling ceremony alongside the Mayor, Councillor Alan Robins, and speakers from Mind and Healthwatch Brighton and Hove amongst others. The hospital was founded by Dr Helen Boyle in 1905, when the only form of mental illness recognised by the medical profession was lunacy. At this time if you were poor and wanted medical support, you had to … Read more

BHT Sussex has announced that Andy Winter, its long-standing chief executive, is to retire in January 2023. Andy Winter joined what was then known as Brighton Housing Trust in 1985 and has been the charity’s chief executive since 2003. During his time as chief executive, BHT Sussex has expanded its services into Eastbourne and Hastings, Mid Sussex, Crawley and, most recently, across the whole of East Sussex with the winning of a new contract to provide support for 6,000 people in their homes. The Chair of the BHT Sussex Board, Kelvin MacDonald, said: Andy has provided exceptional leadership to BHT … Read more

[view video here] The Choir with No Name (CWNN) Brighton has recorded a music video of the song that became their anthem of togetherness as they supported each other through the challenges of the pandemic. CWNN Brighton is a choir involving homeless and marginalised people run in partnership with BHT Sussex. CWNN Brighton first opened its doors in Autumn 2018, offering a safe, welcoming space for people affected by homelessness and marginalisation in the city. Pre-Covid the choir rehearsed weekly in the city centre, followed by a hot meal together, and performed foot-stomping gigs across the city, including at the … Read more

We are delighted to report that First Base, our resource centre for rough sleepers in Brighton and Hove, has secured a donation of 100 Day Saver bus tickets from the Community Support Fund of Brighton and Hove buses. These bus tickets will support rough sleepers using First Base to access accommodation placements and attend various appointments around the city as they are valid for unlimited all-day travel on all Brighton & Hove Buses. Debbie Piper, Deputy Manager at First Base, said: We are so grateful for this generous gift from Brighton and Hove buses. The buses passes will make a … Read more

We are pleased to announce that we beat our target to raise more than £30,000 to tackle homelessness with our Christmas 2021 appeal. This was despite another tough year for community fundraising, and the fact that our popular annual street fundraising collections had to be cancelled due to Covid concerns. The money raised will support First Base, our resource centre for people facing homelessness in Brighton and Hove. First Base offers rough sleepers practical essentials such as food and drink, showers and clean dry clothes, alongside in-depth advice and support to move them away from homelessness for good. More than … Read more

One of our amazing supporters, Kyle Crickmore, is braving a 28-day sea swim challenge this month to raise money for us! He has set himself the ambitious target of spending a minimum of 10 minutes a day for the 28 days of February in the sea, whatever the weather, without a wet suit. He is posting daily public updates with pictures and videos which you can view here. Kyle said: I’ve never been confident in the water, I’ve always swam like a brick so this was a huge step out of my comfort zone both physically and mentally. I’ve a … Read more

We are sorry to share the news that our Christmas street collections, planned for this Saturday 18 December, have had to be cancelled due to concerns about Covid-19. BHT Sussex organises Christmas street collections every year, and they are a fantastic and fun way of both raising money and spreading awareness of our many services to the local community. We have wonderful volunteers who give up their time to shake buckets and talk to people, and choirs perform alongside our collectors to add to the Christmas cheer! In what has already been an exceptionally tough year for community fundraising, we … Read more

Brighton & Hove Buses are once again sending their ‘Santa Bus’ around the local streets in the run-up to Christmas, spreading festive joy and cheer and raising money for 12 local charities. We are delighted to have been chosen as one of those charities this year. Look out for BHT Sussex staff waving from the top deck on Wednesday 8 December as the bus drives around Patcham! This year, to keep the Santa Bus rolling, the bus company has decided to do things a bit differently. Instead of door-to-door bucket collections, donations are being made via local businesses or online. Brighton & Hove Buses Managing … Read more

Buy tickets now! The Choir with No Name Brighton – a choir involving people who’ve experienced homelessness and marginalisation – are thrilled to be returning to Brighton Dome at 7:30pm on 9 December with their unique take on the Christmas classics. This will be their first live performance for over 18 months, and what a spectacular return it is set to be! This year they are excited to be joined once again by very special guest, the supremely talented singer and pianist Joe Stilgoe and the brilliant STOMP-style body percussionist, Olly Tunmer from Beat Goes On. The Choir with No … Read more

BHT Sussex is appealing for donations of warm clothes, shoes, underwear and other items to help protect our clients in the cold winter months. BHT Sussex runs First Base, the largest resource centre for homeless people in Brighton and Hove. Throughout the pandemic we have continued to offer practical essentials such as food and drink, showers and clean dry clothes, alongside in-depth advice and support to move people away from homelessness for good. Debbie Piper, Deputy Manager at First Base, said: As the weather gets colder, homeless people who are often exposed to the elements can really struggle. Items that … Read more

Do you know people who care passionately about social justice, the need to end homelessness and provide housing, and the challenge of providing life-changing services across Sussex? We are looking for new members for the BHT Sussex Board to support our work as we prepare to face the uncertainty and opportunities posed by the post-Covid world. Our Chair-elect, Kelvin MacDonald, who will succeed Joan Mortimer in December, has said: We are looking for people who want to help us make a big impact and shape a bold vision for a better future for our tenants and clients, and provide an … Read more