FAQs

What can I do if I am worried about someone sleeping rough?

Please contact us on 01273 774140. If you can’t get through to one of our team, to ensure the person is helped ASAP, please contact our friends St. Mungo’s via https://www.streetlink.org.uk/

Do you take duvets?!

Sadly, we can’t as when they get wet, they are abandoned and we become very unpopular with our lovely Council.

What are your opening hours?

9-5pm Monday to Friday

Where do I drop off donations?

For the Antifreeze homeless project – 37, Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DQ; for Gateway Women’s services, 52, Station Road, Portslade BN41 1DF (please contact Gateway first on 07860 802420 to arrange a time to drop off donations) - and for the Schools team – 132, Portland Road, Hove BN3 5QL

How can I fundraise for OTF?

There are many ways in which you can fundraise for us – and enjoy it too!

We have launched a new initiative this year that allows you to choose your own personal challenge and create your JustGiving page that allows you to raise funds and be rewarded with a special Champion of Hope Medal. Visit our Just Giving page here.

Plus there are lots of campaigns and ideas to choose from. Visit our Fundraising page here.

How can I be sure my donation is going where it’s needed?

Find out more on our How We Spend Your Money page. It points you to all the facts and figures you’ll ever need!

How can I make a financial donation?

The simplest way to do this is to go to our Donate page.

We appreciate many of our supporters are “offline” so continue to welcome donations by post. Cheques should be made payable to Off The Fence Trust Ltd and sent to 37 Portland Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 5DQ.

I represent a company/organisation, how can I help OTF?

The most obvious way is to make us your Charity of the Year COTY partnership. However, we have a calendar of exciting fundraising events across the year that would make great bonding exercises for your colleagues. Of course there is payroll giving and goods and services in kind. The money your organisation might have spent under normal circumstances could also be donated. Please visit our Corporate Supporters page for more information.

Are you a registered charity?

Yes we are. Our registered charity number is 1108777.

How can I help during Coronavirus?

We are currently working on how we can safely reintegrate volunteers into our services safely but you would be very welcome to complete an application form available on the Volunteer page.

How do I leave a gift to OTF in my will?

Please go to our special legacy Q&A page here. Everything you need to know can be found there.

Can someone from OTF speak at my event?

Yes of course, let us know the sort of talk you would like and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

What do I need to do so that the charity can claim the Gift Aid on my donation?

We need to receive a completed, signed Gift Aid Declaration - please contact us for a form. If you donate via an online Fundraising platform such as Just Giving or our website, then Gift Aid can be collected automatically by ticking a box.

How will you keep in touch with me if I subscribe to you?

We aim to send out an e-newsletter every two months giving you the latest news from across the projects. Simply subscribe here.

What donations do you need right now?

View a list of items we need right now here.

Which schools do you work in?

As we are a Hove-based charity we tend to focus on the secondary schools closest to us which are Blatchington Mill⁠, Hove Park School (Upper & Lower sites) ⁠, Cardinal Newman ⁠and King's. We also run a permanent Prayer Space in Aldrington Primary School and other schools across Sussex by request.⁠

Do you run a refuge/ offer accommodation for women?

No, we don’t run a refuge or offer accommodation to women. We offer one to one emotional and practical support, and run groups and activities at our Gateway Women’s Centre in Portslade. We can signpost and refer you to other services.

Can you self-refer to Gateway?

Yes, you can self-refer using our Self-Referral Form or by contacting us directly. You can also ask a professional or worker to refer you.

At Gateway do you only support women who are homeless?

No, we support all women going through any kind of difficulty or crisis. If you need specialist support with accommodation, we may signpost or refer you to our homelessness project, Antifreeze, or other services.

Do you take baby/children’s clothes and equipment?

Again sadly, no but do try one of the following:

Safehaven Mother and Baby (St Peter’s Church), Pelican Parcels or the Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project.