Turning Tides for the Homeless
Roffey Place
Roffey Place will include 24-hour onsite support for people who are trying to make their crucial first steps out of homelessness, including mental health and counselling, medical help via a clinical room, substance misuse specialists, a wellbeing and sensory suite, digital inclusion, help with training, employment and managing finances, a commercial kitchen to learn cooking skills, carpentry, craft and furniture renovation workspaces, outdoor therapy spaces, gardening skills, an allotment, beehives, yoga, mindfulness and more. Residents are anticipated to stay for approximately 6-9 months and then move on to independent living or a lower support service.
John Holmstrom, Chief Executive, explains: ‘This is a visionary new model made possible by the uniqueness of the site - the size and space allow us to create a multi-agency service that will amount to a holistic range of services strengthening people on every level. A person could enter this service in their absolute darkest hour – and go on to develop a wide range of skills and rebuild in a profound and transformative way. We don’t believe in sticking plaster ‘solutions’; our work focuses on building lasting pathways out of homelessness.’
Permission for the project has just been granted by Horsham District Councillors and Horsham District Council are key partners in the project. Horsham District Council have supported the application from inception and are instrumental in bringing it to fruition. Council staff across teams and at all levels have pulled out all the stops to work rapidly with Turning Tides as part of their ongoing commitment to support local people experiencing homelessness. Horsham District Council are helping with some of the costs by committing £100k.
Cllr Tricia Youtan said, ‘I am delighted that we are working in partnership with Turning Tides, a local charity with an excellent track record in providing the best support for single homeless households, to help develop this game changer of a facility for homeless individuals within our District. Roffey Place will ensure that going forward there is no need for anyone in our District to sleep rough or be placed into bed and breakfast accommodation, but instead this new accommodation with professional support, will help them to succeed when they eventually move on to their own permanent residential accommodation.’
Turning Tides staff and volunteers are currently undertaking the herculean task of refurbishing this unoccupied, vandalised site into a safe, welcoming and empowering environment for those experiencing homelessness in our local community. We are working at speed to open this vital new project in time for the harsh winter months. You can watch BBC South Today’s recent report about the project here: https://vimeo.com/766433431
John Holmstrom, Chief Executive, explains: ‘This is a visionary new model made possible by the uniqueness of the site - the size and space allow us to create a multi-agency service that will amount to a holistic range of services strengthening people on every level. A person could enter this service in their absolute darkest hour – and go on to develop a wide range of skills and rebuild in a profound and transformative way. We don’t believe in sticking plaster ‘solutions’; our work focuses on building lasting pathways out of homelessness.’
Permission for the project has just been granted by Horsham District Councillors and Horsham District Council are key partners in the project. Horsham District Council have supported the application from inception and are instrumental in bringing it to fruition. Council staff across teams and at all levels have pulled out all the stops to work rapidly with Turning Tides as part of their ongoing commitment to support local people experiencing homelessness. Horsham District Council are helping with some of the costs by committing £100k.
Cllr Tricia Youtan said, ‘I am delighted that we are working in partnership with Turning Tides, a local charity with an excellent track record in providing the best support for single homeless households, to help develop this game changer of a facility for homeless individuals within our District. Roffey Place will ensure that going forward there is no need for anyone in our District to sleep rough or be placed into bed and breakfast accommodation, but instead this new accommodation with professional support, will help them to succeed when they eventually move on to their own permanent residential accommodation.’
Turning Tides staff and volunteers are currently undertaking the herculean task of refurbishing this unoccupied, vandalised site into a safe, welcoming and empowering environment for those experiencing homelessness in our local community. We are working at speed to open this vital new project in time for the harsh winter months. You can watch BBC South Today’s recent report about the project here: https://vimeo.com/766433431
Support Turning Tides on Saturday 18th June
Local homeless charity Turning Tides are inviting the community to show their support on Saturday 18th June across two exciting events.
To mark thirty years of transforming the lives of people experiencing homelessness throughout West Sussex, the public are being welcomed to find out more about the charity’s innovative work, as well as experience a night without a roof over their head to raise awareness and vital funds to support people with no safe place to call home. Hosted at Worthing Football Club, gates will open at 12pm to ‘Meet Turning Tides’, followed by a ticketed SleepOut event opening at 6:30pm providing a unique opportunity to spend a night under the stars.
Gemma Orpwood, Turning Tides’ Communications Manager, commented: “The number of people homeless across England is predicted to jump by a third in the next two years. The impact of the pandemic, soaring food and energy bills and government measures coming to an end will force more people onto our streets. Turning Tides need your help to meet the rising demands placed on our services. These two unique events will be a real opportunity to meet the people who work, volunteer and receive support from the charity. Find out the amazing work we carry out to ensure no one goes through the trauma of homelessness alone. Both events are guaranteed to be truly remarkable and thought-provoking.”
Community is at the heart of Turning Tides’ ambition to end local homelessness - all ages are welcome to the free ‘Meet Turning Tides’ event from 12pm to 4pm. The event will provide an opportunity to:
Pre-registration is essential. Tickets cost £20, with a current early bird discount offer of £15. Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship for the event, with Turning Tides providing plenty of fundraising support.
To find out more about both events and to book your place at the Big Summer SleepOut please visit www.turning-tides.org.uk or phone 01903 680740.
To mark thirty years of transforming the lives of people experiencing homelessness throughout West Sussex, the public are being welcomed to find out more about the charity’s innovative work, as well as experience a night without a roof over their head to raise awareness and vital funds to support people with no safe place to call home. Hosted at Worthing Football Club, gates will open at 12pm to ‘Meet Turning Tides’, followed by a ticketed SleepOut event opening at 6:30pm providing a unique opportunity to spend a night under the stars.
Gemma Orpwood, Turning Tides’ Communications Manager, commented: “The number of people homeless across England is predicted to jump by a third in the next two years. The impact of the pandemic, soaring food and energy bills and government measures coming to an end will force more people onto our streets. Turning Tides need your help to meet the rising demands placed on our services. These two unique events will be a real opportunity to meet the people who work, volunteer and receive support from the charity. Find out the amazing work we carry out to ensure no one goes through the trauma of homelessness alone. Both events are guaranteed to be truly remarkable and thought-provoking.”
Community is at the heart of Turning Tides’ ambition to end local homelessness - all ages are welcome to the free ‘Meet Turning Tides’ event from 12pm to 4pm. The event will provide an opportunity to:
- Meet frontline staff who provide outreach services across the county, ensuring everyone has access to food, clothing, support, and advice
- Discover the music, art and photography Turning Tides clients have produced which not only depict their experiences of being homeless but also harnesses their strengths, creativity and tenacity
- Chat with volunteers who take on a wide range of activities from cooking breakfasts at the charity’s Community Hubs to collecting donated items for accommodation services
- Explore ways you can get involved and support the charity; from holding your own event, becoming a volunteer or applying for one of the satisfying roles within the organisation
- Hear from clients about their experience of homelessness and their time with Turning Tides
- Be one of the first to step on board Turning Tides’ amazing double decker bus. This innovative service is the first of its kind in West Sussex, and designed to take support on the road to people experiencing homelessness in rural areas. Originally a vintage passenger bus, now converted into a mobile hub complete with kitchen, washing machine, shower and toilet.
Pre-registration is essential. Tickets cost £20, with a current early bird discount offer of £15. Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship for the event, with Turning Tides providing plenty of fundraising support.
To find out more about both events and to book your place at the Big Summer SleepOut please visit www.turning-tides.org.uk or phone 01903 680740.
Woolly Hat Day 18 February
Local homelessness charity Turning Tides are calling on the community to ‘Commit to the Knit’ on Friday 18th February by donning a woolly hat to help raise vital funds for those with no place to call home.
Woolly Hat Day, the charity’s annual fundraiser, is back. All are invited to take part – from schools and youth groups, to businesses and congregations – just pop on a woolly hat on Friday 18th February and donate to Turning Tides to help fund their vital services supporting local people facing homelessness. With a suggested donation of £3, why not swap your coffee order that day and donate to the charity’s life saving work.
The money fundraised will be crucial in supporting local people on their pathway out of homelessness. This winter, a staggering 227,000 households across the UK are facing homelessness. Turning Tides continue to work tirelessly every day of the year to ensure the safety and wellbeing of anyone who has become homeless in West Sussex. Hot meals are offered at their Community Hubs in Worthing and Littlehampton whilst Outreach workers scour the countryside across Horsham and Mid Sussex.
The new year often brings renewed hope to many as we look towards a brighter 2022. However, many of those turning to the charity’s services don’t feel hopeful or positive about the future.
Turning Tides are encouraging everyone to get involved in Woolly Hat Day. It is an opportunity to fundraise but also a chance to raise awareness and bring the whole community together in solidarity to make a stand against homelessness. Get behind Turning Tides’ mission to support and empower those experiencing homelessness so that they too can feel hope for the future.
By sharing your woolly hat photo across social media you are helping to spread awareness throughout the county. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #woollyhatday2022 and tag Turning Tides @turningtidesorg.
Sophie Moore, Turning Tides’ Fundraising Officer, highlights the importance of this year’s fundraiser: “At Turning Tides we believe everyone has the right to a home, and as the harsh winter months continue, it becomes increasingly vital that everyone has the safety, warmth and comfort that a home provides. It is through the generosity of our community and their involvement in events such as Woolly Hat Day that we can transform the lives of those experiencing the dangers and uncertainty of homelessness.”
To find out more or get your school, business or group involved visit:
www.turning-tides.org.uk/woollyhatday or contact the fundraising team for more information. Email: [email protected] or phone: 01903 680740
Woolly Hat Day, the charity’s annual fundraiser, is back. All are invited to take part – from schools and youth groups, to businesses and congregations – just pop on a woolly hat on Friday 18th February and donate to Turning Tides to help fund their vital services supporting local people facing homelessness. With a suggested donation of £3, why not swap your coffee order that day and donate to the charity’s life saving work.
The money fundraised will be crucial in supporting local people on their pathway out of homelessness. This winter, a staggering 227,000 households across the UK are facing homelessness. Turning Tides continue to work tirelessly every day of the year to ensure the safety and wellbeing of anyone who has become homeless in West Sussex. Hot meals are offered at their Community Hubs in Worthing and Littlehampton whilst Outreach workers scour the countryside across Horsham and Mid Sussex.
The new year often brings renewed hope to many as we look towards a brighter 2022. However, many of those turning to the charity’s services don’t feel hopeful or positive about the future.
Turning Tides are encouraging everyone to get involved in Woolly Hat Day. It is an opportunity to fundraise but also a chance to raise awareness and bring the whole community together in solidarity to make a stand against homelessness. Get behind Turning Tides’ mission to support and empower those experiencing homelessness so that they too can feel hope for the future.
By sharing your woolly hat photo across social media you are helping to spread awareness throughout the county. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #woollyhatday2022 and tag Turning Tides @turningtidesorg.
Sophie Moore, Turning Tides’ Fundraising Officer, highlights the importance of this year’s fundraiser: “At Turning Tides we believe everyone has the right to a home, and as the harsh winter months continue, it becomes increasingly vital that everyone has the safety, warmth and comfort that a home provides. It is through the generosity of our community and their involvement in events such as Woolly Hat Day that we can transform the lives of those experiencing the dangers and uncertainty of homelessness.”
To find out more or get your school, business or group involved visit:
www.turning-tides.org.uk/woollyhatday or contact the fundraising team for more information. Email: [email protected] or phone: 01903 680740
Making a big impact in Littlehampton –
Turning Tides’ Community Hub is a source of hope
Turning Tides’ Community Hub is a source of hope
On Christmas day, Turning Tides’ Littlehampton service provided a hot Christmas lunch to anyone who had no place to go to on a day most of us spend warm, fed and surrounded by loved ones. Alongside generous volunteers who had left their own Christmas festivities to help those in need, staff provided a festive meal, a listening ear and place of comfort. Clients were also provided with items to help during winter months donated by local schools, businesses and organisations. Support from the community is always gratefully received by the charity. Too often, people experiencing homelessness feel ignored, isolated and marginalised. Alongside the practical comfort from donated items, they also provide a deeper reassurance the community cares about their welfare and future.
Amy Thorley, Community Development Officer, emphasised the crucial community support received over Christmas: “Every year we are overwhelmed that so many people offer their time and skills on Christmas Day. It is truly wonderful that people voluntarily take time out of their own Christmas festivities, to share it with members of their community. Volunteers prepared delicious home cooked food and offered companionship for those that visited the Hub in Littlehampton on Christmas Day.”
Located in the United Reform Church Hall, the Littlehampton Community Hub offers vital services to assist individuals on their pathway out of homelessness. Collaborating with a number of external agencies, those visiting the hub, which averages 20 people each day, can seek support and advice for a wide range of needs. This includes: an Employment Coach from Making a Difference Employability Support, offering advice on CV writing and interview preparation; a Southern Water Vulnerability Liaison Officer, who is on hand to give advice and discuss water bills for those moving into accommodation; a nurse, mental health practitioner and dentist also make regular visits. All services are co-designed with the individuals accessing those services to ensure everyone’s needs are understood and met. Those services are critical to enabling the individuals attending the Hub to have the best chance of transforming their lives.
Turning Tides’ Littlehampton Community Workers were recently recognised by Sussex Police with a Divisional Commendation for their joint working throughout the pandemic; safeguarding those who were sleeping rough or found themselves in emergency accommodation. Turning Tides also work closely with the charity Stonepillow and Arun District Council to create long term solutions locally. Through the strong relationship with the United Reform Church, the charity was able to open accommodation in Littlehampton catering for six individuals on their pathway out of homelessness. The independent living flats provide low support for those on their first step out of homelessness and have already proved successful. Since opening in late 2020 they have already supported five people to move on to the next step of their journey – into independent living, such as the private rental sector.
Richard Erdelyi, Turning Tides’ Littlehampton Service Manager, commented: “For those facing homelessness 2021 was an incredibly difficult year, filled with so much uncertainty. In fact, we have seen more and more people reaching out to our services who have become homeless from the impact of the pandemic. The support of partnerships and the community has made all the difference to the people using our services and we are so grateful. The recent addition of accommodation has also made a big difference – bridging the gap from homelessness to fully independent living, which can sometimes feel an impossible leap.
Although we are all hoping for a brighter 2022, many of those turning to our services don’t feel hopeful or positive about the future. It is our mission to support and empower them so they can transform their lives - so they too can feel hope for the future.”
Donating to Turning Tides this year will help the charity to continue their mission to end local homelessness; it will support those with nowhere to call home to find warmth, safety and support during these harsh winter months. To donate or for more information visit www.turning-tides.org.uk or phone 01903 680740.
Amy Thorley, Community Development Officer, emphasised the crucial community support received over Christmas: “Every year we are overwhelmed that so many people offer their time and skills on Christmas Day. It is truly wonderful that people voluntarily take time out of their own Christmas festivities, to share it with members of their community. Volunteers prepared delicious home cooked food and offered companionship for those that visited the Hub in Littlehampton on Christmas Day.”
Located in the United Reform Church Hall, the Littlehampton Community Hub offers vital services to assist individuals on their pathway out of homelessness. Collaborating with a number of external agencies, those visiting the hub, which averages 20 people each day, can seek support and advice for a wide range of needs. This includes: an Employment Coach from Making a Difference Employability Support, offering advice on CV writing and interview preparation; a Southern Water Vulnerability Liaison Officer, who is on hand to give advice and discuss water bills for those moving into accommodation; a nurse, mental health practitioner and dentist also make regular visits. All services are co-designed with the individuals accessing those services to ensure everyone’s needs are understood and met. Those services are critical to enabling the individuals attending the Hub to have the best chance of transforming their lives.
Turning Tides’ Littlehampton Community Workers were recently recognised by Sussex Police with a Divisional Commendation for their joint working throughout the pandemic; safeguarding those who were sleeping rough or found themselves in emergency accommodation. Turning Tides also work closely with the charity Stonepillow and Arun District Council to create long term solutions locally. Through the strong relationship with the United Reform Church, the charity was able to open accommodation in Littlehampton catering for six individuals on their pathway out of homelessness. The independent living flats provide low support for those on their first step out of homelessness and have already proved successful. Since opening in late 2020 they have already supported five people to move on to the next step of their journey – into independent living, such as the private rental sector.
Richard Erdelyi, Turning Tides’ Littlehampton Service Manager, commented: “For those facing homelessness 2021 was an incredibly difficult year, filled with so much uncertainty. In fact, we have seen more and more people reaching out to our services who have become homeless from the impact of the pandemic. The support of partnerships and the community has made all the difference to the people using our services and we are so grateful. The recent addition of accommodation has also made a big difference – bridging the gap from homelessness to fully independent living, which can sometimes feel an impossible leap.
Although we are all hoping for a brighter 2022, many of those turning to our services don’t feel hopeful or positive about the future. It is our mission to support and empower them so they can transform their lives - so they too can feel hope for the future.”
Donating to Turning Tides this year will help the charity to continue their mission to end local homelessness; it will support those with nowhere to call home to find warmth, safety and support during these harsh winter months. To donate or for more information visit www.turning-tides.org.uk or phone 01903 680740.
