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First Base Day Centre

Thanking supporters

An event held today and attended by the Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Lynda Hyde, was to thank the people and businesses who support Brighton Housing Trust’s First Base Day Centre for the homeless, and to inform new supporters and volunteers on how they can get involved. Today was also an opportunity to acknowledge the work of young fundraisers.

Young fundraisers

Amongst the young fundraisers were sisters Vita and Gloria Dimmock aged 8 and 6. They raised £54.27 in aid of the day centre by selling their Easter eggs and old books. They are now planning to do a sponsored 5 mile hike across the South Downs with some school friends and hope to raise £500.00. Vita Dimmock said:”It makes me sad to see people who are sleeping rough and we want to do something to help.”

The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Lynda Hyde and Nikki Homewood BHT Executive Director

Gloria and Vita Dimmock and the Mayor of Brighton and Hove Councillor Lynda Hyde

Report on rough sleeping

The gathering was also an opportunity to launch a new Impact report on rough sleeping in Brighton and Hove. Brighton Housing Trust chief executive Andy Winter, said nobody should be sleeping on the streets of a wealthy city such as Brighton and Hove. He maintained that his stated ambition to end homelessness in the city would not be easy but was possible.

Some statistics

The BHT report sets out the hardships of life on the streets where the average life expectancy is 43 years for women and 47 years for men. Almost 600 men and women rough sleepers accessed the charity’s First Base Day Centre at St Stephen’s Hall, Montpelier Place in 2014/15. The centre’s staff  were able to move 315 people off the streets and into secure accommodation in 12 months.

You can find out about the work of Brighton Housing Trust here.

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