A safe and caring environment 

Supervised and safe environment

A fully supervised, safe, drug and alcohol free environment for clients to eat, relax have a wash and meet outside workers and their friends.

Use of kitchen with free food and drink 

In cooperation with Fareshare

A supervised kitchen where client's can prepare food and drinks for themselves.

The majority of our food is provided on a daily basis by Fareshare a registered charity delivering food to projects working with the homeless.
Email: fareshare@fareshare.org.uk

Compassionate and Informed advice 

Compassionate and Informed advice from OCN trained staff

A signposting and support service, delivering advice on housing, substance misuse, mental health and general health services in the Brighton area by trained volunteers.

Free use of computers 

Free use of computers for personal email address, CV's and job applications

A free computer and internet cafe service open on:

Tuesdays to Fridays
12:00am - 4 :00pm

Clothing and utensils 

Free emergency clothing, and utensils

We have a donated clothing store, plus storage space for clients who are rough sleeping. We receive donations of kitchen utensils which clients may have when they move into new accommodation.

Telephone 

Family contact through use of the telephone

A telephone service is provided to clients who wish to contact family members i.e. parents, carers or children, in addition to calls to agencies and their workers.

Signposting and referral 

Signposting and referral to specialist service providers

An advice service on general issues relating to homelessness e.g. housing, substance misuse, mental health, general health and sexual health offered.

Signpostings to the relevant service to meet the issue are delivered and where appropriate referrals made.

Housing support 

Support between insecure and permanent housing

We provide a constant, safe environment where the client can access support on a day to day basis from our team of volunteers and workers from outside agencies.

Advocation 

Advocation on behalf of service users

Volunteers will accompany clients to meetings with other agencies and advocate on the client's behalf if they require support in presenting their individual cases.

Collaboration with other service providers 

Hove YMCA

The centre is currently used by a major provider in Brighton and Hove offering help with housing, relocation and tenancy support.

The use of our project by other service providers enables clients to access the much needed support in a familiar environment.

Development 

The development of a resource bank on related issues

Through networking with various issue related organisations in our sector, we have an information and resource bank available to volunteers and clients on every issue and service relating to homelessness.

Bringing the issues of homelessness to the authorities 

Working with local MPs

As a result of networking with local MP's and the local council and by supporting other service providers' appeals e.g. "Crisis", we raise issues exposing needs in services relating to our client group, the majority being the "Hidden Homeless".

Monthly Outdoor Activities and Creative Workshops 

Creative, educational and therapeutic

Monthly outdoor activities occur on the last Wednesday of every month with visits taking place to Adventure parks, bowling, pitch and putt etc. these give the clients group experiences outside of their daily routines.

Our six week workshops are delivered on Monday afternoons from 3 - 5pm. Workshops delivered so far have been music, mask making, creative writing, photography and lantern building for the Brighton Winter Solstice festival "The Burning of the Clocks"

Social activities 

Monthly Social Activities

We offer a diary of monthly outdoor activities, creative workshops and a weekly football activity for our service users to encourage them to participate in new activities, discover talents and hobbies and gain in self confidence.

Past events include ten pin bowling, go-karting, art and music workshops, cinema excursions, horse-riding and football.

Crisis funding 

Relief for immediate housing needs

As a result of an annual donation from Streetsmart, for the past two years we have been able to offer emergency funding in times of 'crisis'

• travel expenses to family or relocation
• clothing for interviews and new employment
• deposit for accommodation and overnight accommodation
• deposit for College course
• payment of driving licence
• bedding/utensils for new accommodation.
• trainers/footwear

We also have links with the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton Social Concerns Office and Emmaus for the provision of furniture for new accommodation and with the St. Vincent de Paul Society for funding of emergency travel and clothing.

About prison visiting 

Volunteers retain contact with the Clock Tower Sanctuary clients who are in prison

One of the services that we offer here at the Clock Tower Sanctuary is to maintain support and keep in touch with a client if they are in prison.

We feel this support is important at a time when the client may feel lonely, isolated, possibly depressed and vulnerable.

Sometimes a family situation may well make it difficult or impossible for other members of the family to visit therefore a friendly face and someone to talk to is much appreciated.

We are only able at present to arrange visits to HMP Lewes as we do not have the transport or the means to travel long distances. If they are transferred to a Prison or YOI further a field then we will endeavour to keep in touch through writing letters.

We feel these services have been worthwhile and we have had young people come into the Centre after their release from Prison to thank us for the support we have given them.

We hope to continue and improve on these services in the future.