Author: Debbie Watkins

We are delighted to announce a development in our housing provision in Sussex.  

 

Earlier this year, Sussex Overseas Housing Society (SOHS), a long-standing housing society based in Hove, approached YMCA DownsLink Group with a proposal to transfer its assets and operations. 

The transfer includes seven residential properties in Hove, comprising 19 units of accommodation currently occupied primarily by general needs tenants with some leaseholders, plus 10 garages on one of the sites. 

After a series of positive discussions, both our organisations found our values and aims were closely aligned. To ensure the homes continue to serve those in need, SOHS formally expressed its wish to transfer its assets to us at no cost. 

SOHS Chair John Puttock said: “We are pleased to see these properties transferred to an organisation whose values and commitment to community housing mirror our own. This move ensures the homes will continue to serve those in need for years to come.” 

Our CEO, Emily Brock, (pictured above) said: “We are delighted to have this significant opportunity to add to our housing provision in Sussex and we’d like to thank SOHS for making this possible.” 

Our response to Budget announcements for children and young adults

 

There are still major system changes needed to improve outcomes for children and young people – and more funding must be committed and better utilised to make that happen. 

Yesterday’s Budget introduced some measures that could help, such as investment in the Youth Guarantee and fully funded apprenticeships for under-25s in small and medium-sized businesses. This will support efforts to tackle rising youth unemployment and create clearer routes into training and work. Increases to the Living Wage and Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds are also a step towards greater financial security. 

We welcome the commitment to fix the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit ‘cliff edge’ for those in supported housing – a challenge faced by many of the young people we work with. This change will help them move into work without losing the safety net they need, alongside measures to cut household bills and ease pressure on residents and housing providers. 

Reviews into youth provision and homelessness services are a start, but reviews alone won’t break down barriers. Long-term investment and real funding are essential to give young people the opportunities they deserve. 

It’s also disappointing that there was no progress on business rates relief for charities. This will continue to put a strain on vital services that children and young adults rely on every day. 

What is needed is sustained investment in youth services, housing, mental health and employment support. Alongside that investment, it will be vital to change the systems that are currently allowing so many young people to fall through the gaps and not get the support, advice and opportunities they need.

We’re proud to share that both of our Youth Advice Centres (YACs) in Brighton and Crawley have recently achieved the Matrix Standard – a nationally recognised benchmark for excellence in information, advice and guidance (IAG). This is a particularly exciting milestone for our Crawley YAC, as it’s their first time receiving this accreditation.

 

The Matrix Standard, overseen by the Department for Education, recognises organisations that deliver high-quality IAG services which empower individuals to reach their full potential.

Achieving this standard involved an in-depth assessment process, including an on-site visit and interviews with managers, staff, volunteers, partner organisations and the people who use our services.

The report stated:

• “YAC fully embraces the values of the organisation ensuring they do what is right for the young person, work with heart, and build real connection with those they are working with in a relaxed, informal environment that the young people appreciate and benefit from making the centres a real ‘space for young people’.”
• “100% of users last year said they found the staff approachable and young people during the assessment commented: “all staff are lovely, welcoming, friendly and sometimes we have a good laugh”; and partners commenting “it is a positive space, where young people don’t feel judged.”
• “The IAG given has also helped to change lives, with young people commenting: “finding YAC really gave me the hope I needed at that time when I had lots of stuff going on.”

The report also found that:

• There is strong evidence of a real culture of wellbeing and safety for both staff and young people
• Staff are very knowledgeable and skilled to support the young people well
• Strong and effective links have been made with partners externally and in Crawley relationships with the neighbouring accommodation have improved ensuring that young people have easy access routes to IAG close at hand.

 

 

 

A powerful coalition of leaders and changemakers came together in Brighton, on the eve of World Mental Health Day and World Homeless Day, to ask a vital question: how can we reimagine services for young people?

We hosted the event to address the rising mental health needs and housing insecurity affecting thousands of young people across Sussex and Surrey, at a time when services designed to help them are underfunded and under immense pressure.

The event began with the showing of a short film, created by young people living in our supported housing in Sussex. They shared a moving insight into young people’s situations, experiences of homelessness and struggles with mental health. See the film below.

The event, at The Projects, Nile Street, was facilitated by Natalie Orringe, founder of Strategy+ Impact, and convened a high-profile panel including:

• Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council
• Jane Padmore, CEO of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Lorna Tucker, filmmaker and author
• Kathy Evans, CEO of the National Youth Advocacy Service
• Emily Brock, CEO of YMCA DownsLink Group.

About 60 people, many from local authorities and organisations involved in supporting young people, joined a lively question and answer session with the panellists.

Emily Brock said: “As the largest regional charity working to prevent youth homelessness and support children and young people’s mental health, we are on the front line of the crisis facing young people today.

“We wanted to bring our partners together to jointly lead a way forward for young people. And I was delighted with the response to our invitation to action at the event, which aimed to disrupt the status quo and explore bold, innovative solutions to improve young people’s lives.”

Brighton & Hove City Council Leader Bella Sankey said that the film highlighted the real difficulties young people were facing in mental health, housing and homelessness and the need to do more.

“There are a disproportionate number of children and young people living in temporary accommodation – 40 percent in temporary accommodation are under 18 so they are drastically over-represented. It’s a huge challenge and we want a renewed focus on young people and children in our new [housing] strategy.”

She added: “Local government re-organisation offers an opportunity to rationalise how homeless services are delivered within a unitary authority.”

Jane Padmore, CEO of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) which is responsible for mental health services, reflected that the film highlighted the need to co-produce and develop services with the people who were using

 them. Issues such as housing were linked to mental health. “If [people] are not fed and not safe, they do not feel secure.”

Discussing devolution and the creation of a single Sussex mayor, she said: “Our systems are not set up for people working together. Having who is looking after the population of Sussex means we can be a bit braver.”

Partners attending the event will now develop a youth-focused Call to Action to be presented to Sussex’s mayoral candidates ahead of upcoming elections, and to Surrey County Council.

The panel agreed that no single organisation can tackle these challenges alone. What’s needed is joined-up leadership across councils, charities, health services, youth organisations – and most importantly, young people themselves.

The stakes are high. With rising youth homelessness, increasing mental health pressures and stretched services, the time for action is now.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to move beyond competition and bureaucracy, and to work together to deliver real change.

The full Call to Action will be published later this month and shared with Sussex mayoral candidates and Surrey County Council, and on our website.

Thank you to our sponsors:

With thanks to The Projects for free use of their Globe Room. With thanks to Trident for sponsoring the refreshments.

Join our Board of Trustees and make a difference to lives of children and young people in Sussex and Surrey.

We are the largest charity in Sussex and Surrey working to prevent youth homelessness and support children and young people’s emotional and mental health. We support children and young people with multiple and complex needs up to the age of 25. We offer support in three service areas: 

• Housing provision and sustaining accommodation 
• Specialist information, advice and support 
• Emotional wellbeing and mental health 

We are an organisation committed to achieving the very best outcomes for the children and young people we serve and we have two exciting vacancies on our Board of Trustees. 

• We are looking for a new Chair of our Board who shares our vision and will play a pivotal role in guiding the Board and supporting the CEO, ensuring that governance is strong and aligned with the organisation’s values, strategic goals and founding Christian principles. As a leader, the Chair shapes the culture, champions inclusivity and drives the strategic direction of the organisation. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people through a dynamic and highly respected organisation.
• We are also seeking a Board Trustee and Committee Chair (HR) – you will join us at a key time as we embark on our new Strategy, leading on strategic and key operational matters. This includes areas such as our staff and volunteers, culture and values development, our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and good governance – with children and young people at the forefront of everything we do.

For more information and to view the Chair of the Board applicant pack and details of how to apply please click here. The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 3 November. 

For more information and to view the Board Trustee and Chair and Committee Chair (HR) please click here. The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 17 November. 

We strongly condemn the recent protests targeting migrants and asylum seekers across the country, but particularly in Sussex and Surrey where we provide services.

We stand firmly against all forms of racism and xenophobia, as well as homophobia and transphobia, and all forms of violence and hate.

 

We are proud to provide vital services to all children and young people in our communities, and we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone.

Our values in action

Our organisational values guide everything we do:

• We do what’s right – by speaking up and calling out what’s not OK.
• We build real connection – by celebrating what makes each of us unique.

We believe everyone should feel

• A sense of belonging, acceptance, and safety when they come to work for us or use our services.
• Able to be their authentic selves when engaging with us.

Need advice or support?

• YMCA DownsLink Group’s e-wellbeing digital information and advice
• Young Mind’s online resources about racism and mental health
• YMCA DownsLink Group’s Youth Advice Centres in Brighton & Hove and Crawley

Have you experienced or witnessed a hate crime?

You can report hate crimes to your local police force or through dedicated hate crime helplines, such as Stop Hate UK.

• How to report hate crime | Sussex Police
• How to report hate crime | Surrey Police