Brighton Housing Trust employs 15% of its Service Users
A housing organisation in Brighton has hired 15% of it's service users in an attempt to give homeless people an opportunity to get back into employment.
The Brighton Housing Trust, which receives funding from the Big Lottery Fund, introduced a range of education programmes which enable people in need of accommodation to get back on their feet.
Andy Winter, Chief Executive of BHT said: "Big Lottery is such a valuable source of income for us, it allows us to do things for people for whom nothing else exists, and Big Lottery allows us to work in creative ways."
Mr Winter added that the rainge of education projects, schemes and work experience programmes available to their clients enables their transition from being on the street to normal living in a secure environment.
BHT also run First Base, a day centre in Brighton open to rough sleepers in need of help and support. The centre offers a range of services including mental health support and advice, accommodation and relocation assistance, a place to wash and shower as well as a CV and employment service.
The Trust also provides a range of services in areas across Sussex including Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes and Bexhill, which aim to provide people with the right support to help them out of a difficult situation.
With nearly 300 members of staff working to ensure the organisation and the services provided run smoothly, Mr Winter said that although a substantial amount of money is spent on bureaucracy each month, it works as a safeguard which helps the Trust meet certain liabilities.
He said: "Bureaucracy is the killer for a numuber of people in this sector, the amount of time one has to spend feeding machines is enormous, but some of it is really valuable and important, it is important that BHT is held accountable for exactly how we spend our money."
The BHT, which has worked with nearly 11,500 people in 2012, also relies on public donations to ensure that rough sleepers in Brighton are provided with vital services which help them get back on their feet.
From organising fundraising events to maximising recycling opportunities, all the money received from donations goes directly to supporting people living on the streets.
To make a donation to BHT click
or support a rough sleeper by buying an essential item on the