Barbour helps to make rough sleeping a little less rough

Jacket manufacturer puts a protective wrap around the homeless in Brighton.

Barbour is best known as a British luxury, lifestyle clothing brand.

It dates back to 1894 and is world renowned as a ‘by Royal appointment’ designer and manufacturer of waxed cotton outerwear, ready-to-wear, clothing, footwear and accessories.

But now, it will also be known in the city of Brighton & Hove as the provider of warmth and protection in extreme weather conditions for rough sleepers who are experiencing something less than a James Bond lifestyle.Off the Fence Trust were surprised and delighted to hear from Barbour that they would to supply 50 of their in-demand jackets for the charity to distribute to the homeless this Summer in Brighton. T

he usual donation consists of hand me downs and surplus clothing that might be comfortable and offer protection but will not add a sense of self-esteem.Recipients of these jackets will feel that they regarded as important and deserve the best that money can buy.

Founder and CEO of the charity, Paul Young, is thrilled by this unexpected donation, “In the 25 years that we have operated in Brighton & Hove we have never received a gift of this kind. Looking at the Barbour website and seeing people like Kate Middleton and Daniel Craig endorsing and wearing jackets like these gives everyone here a renewed sense of worth. We are so grateful to the team at Barbour for not only protecting the homeless but making them feel like they really are important too.”

For over 20 years Off The Fence has been working in the Brighton and Hove area with the area’s most vulnerable people, tackling social and spiritual poverty, and helping members of the community who are facing crisis situations with little or no support. Its priority is to provide a practical, emotional and psychological safety net for the socially excluded in Brighton & Hove.

To this end, Off The Fence operates three projects: Antifreeze, a day centre for the homeless - part of an emergency outreach to rough sleepers: a schools programme for 6-18 year olds; and Gateway, a women’s centre supporting women in crisis.Its mission can be summarised as: Resisting poverty. Empowering people.

Restoring hope.These jackets symbolise those aims.