BHT has launched its 2020 Christmas appeal with a video asking people to help us “end homelessness before it begins”, highlighting the crucial role that advice plays in enabling people to keep their homes. BHT’s advice centres in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings last year prevented 927 households from becoming homeless. Our appeal video was generously donated by award-winning local company Big Egg Films.
As well as preventing people from becoming homeless by providing timely professional advice, BHT provides practical support to rough sleepers in Brighton and Hove through its resource centre First Base. First Base has remained open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, providing hot food, warm showers and clean clothes, but with reduced numbers to keep everybody safe. It has also supported Brighton and Hove Council in their efforts to get rough sleepers off the streets, navigating 274 people into accommodation secured by the City Council.
During these challenging times, many people are facing new financial pressures and falling into debt and the prospect of homelessness, but with the right advice this can often be avoided. Every week BHT’s advisers help families and individuals facing eviction to keep their homes. For those who have lost their homes, First Base continues to provide a much-needed lifeline of practical support, at a time when many other services have had to close their doors. It will remain open over the festive period, including on Christmas Day, with restricted hours and numbers.
Andy Winter, BHT’s Chief Executive, said:
In these difficult times homelessness prevention and support services like ours are needed more than ever, and we are determined to be there for local people in need this winter. Our advice centres are in high demand, and First Base continues to support those new to rough sleeping – between eight and twelve people every week in Brighton and Hove alone. We need your help to keep our services going and reach more people with life-changing support.
This is the fourth year running that Adam Sheldon and his team at Big Egg Films have donated their time and expertise to produce a fantastic film to help us raise funds over Christmas. We are so grateful to them, and to all our incredible supporters that make our work possible.
If you would like to donate to BHT’s Christmas appeal, get involved in our virtual Christmas collection, or watch our appeal video, click here
