Saving lives of people experiencing homelessness

Off The Fence supports individuals facing homelessness and all forms of poverty in Brighton and Hove in Sussex.

In 2023 the Axis Foundation donated £7,000 to Off the Fence Trust to purchase 200 Vango Atlas Heavyweight sleeping bags for the rough sleepers who use the services of Antifreeze. Antifreeze is the charity’s day centre for the homeless, part of an emergency outreach.

“We are so grateful, as are our clients. Until they are housed, each of our clients uses at least two high quality sleeping bags a year, demand fuelled by wear and tear or theft. £7,000 enables us to purchase 200 military quality sleeping bags that will undoubtedly prevent deaths from exposure, illness and the cold through the winter months. This is helps us meet a significant proportion of our outdoor budget in this area”  – Roy Stannard, Head of Income-Generation and Comms

We followed this up with a further donation of £4,750 to purchase hygiene materials (including toothpaste, shampoo, razors, shaving foam and cleaning products), hot water bottles (for distribution on the street) and waterproof jackets (for warmth and protection in the cold winter).

“The Axis Foundation is bulwark of compassion in an uncertain world” –  Roy Stannard, Head of Income-Generation and Comms

“Thank you for your compassion and generosity. Lives will be saved” –  Jane Leaver, Office Finance and Individual Giving Co-ordinator

“On behalf of Off The Fence, I extend our deepest gratitude for your recent support of £4,750 in aid of our essentials provision in our Antifreeze Day Centre – supporting the health and wellbeing of individuals currently experiencing homelessness in Brighton and Hove. In this past year, we have noted heightened levels of homelessness and housing insecurity in our city as inflationary pressures force individuals below the poverty line. By partnering with Off The Fence to provide warmth and comfort amid homelessness, you have helped alleviate this pressure. For this, we thank you” – Analise Walls, Executive Support and Trusts and Foundations Lead

In 2026, we donated a further £1,870 towards essential winter clothing to support those facing homelessness in Brighton and Hove.

“Thank you again for your demonstrated generosity and compassion at a time of immense local need. Together, we are resisting poverty, empowering people and restoring hope in Brighton and Hove” – Analise Walls, Executive Support and Trusts and Foundations Lead

More About Off the Fence

Since 1997, Off The Fence has worked across Brighton and Hove to tackle the root causes of poverty, supporting people to move beyond vulnerability and towards long-term stability. Antifreeze is one of three core programmes delivered by Off The Fence:

• Antifreeze – supporting individuals to move out of homelessness
• Gateway – support for women, by women
• Schools and Youth – standing alongside at-risk children and young people

Each year, more than 500 people access Antifreeze’s services, ranging from essential provisions such as showers to dedicated Key Worker support and clear pathways into housing and employment. While the city’s hotels and B&Bs accommodate many people experiencing homelessness, this remains a short-term solution, and demand is rising sharply. In 2024/25 alone, the Antifreeze Day Centre recorded 2,571 visits.

There’s more about their work here