Off The Fence – Background Information     

The mission of Off The Fence is to eradicate social and spiritual poverty in Brighton & Hove. We engage with those who need us and those who want to support us to to bring hope and transformation across the City.

Off The Fence was founded by Paul and Wendy Young in 1993 in response to a challenge to the local churches to “get off the fence” and do something about social poverty in the City. They made the decision to go onto the streets of to help the most marginalized and vulnerable in the city. Paul started out with one friend, speaking with the homeless, guiding them to areas and services in the city where they could receive help.

This team of two soon turned into a team of four. Eventually, seventy volunteers from across a range of local churches and different denominations joined them, all with the goal of caring for, and saving the lives of those who were falling through the cracks of society.

In 1997, Off The Fence became an official registered charity and has grown alongside those who need us, helping them back to fulfilling and independent lives. We now operate across three main areas: homelessness, women at risk and schools and youth.

We provide short and long-term solutions, through our two day centres, outreach vans and in local schools. We have a staff team of xx and a volunteer network of xxx.

After 25 years working in the City, Off The Fence is highly regarded by all our stakeholders - the City Council (regularly being chosen as the Mayor's Charity of the Year), other organisations working with the homeless and vulnerable, churches, funders, our patrons and, above all, our clients.

Paul and Wendy have announced their intention to step down from the day to day leadership of the Charity in early 2024 and therefore the Board are looking to appoint a new CEO who will be able to build on the success of the last 25 years and to lead the charity through the next phase of its development against a backdrop of increasing and complex needs.

More information is available on our website www.offthefence.org.uk A detailed information pack will be available to shortlisted candidates. We can also arrange for interested candidates to speak with Paul Young and Graham Hollebon (Board Chair).