Brandon’s story:
“I’ve always moved around, ever since I was 13. There were times when I’d moved, kind of disappeared, and didn’t come back for more than a year, but when I walked through the door at Clock Tower, I was treated like they’d just seen me yesterday. Nobody forgets you here. It’s a base of safety, this place.
“It kind of feels like a family here. There’s no fear of judgement, which hasn’t always been the case at other services.I remember when I first came into the building… I was so uneasy. I kind of thought, “I’ve had this kind of help before, and none of it’s worked out.” But here, there’s an abundance of acceptance, which was a helpful tool in helping me to understand myself.
“When I first came here, I was at a point in life where I didn’t necessarily understand myself. But all the work and growth I’ve done here, that’s helped to unlock pathways to doors that I didn’t know existed. It’s helped me to flourish and grow.
“This place has helped in so many different ways over the years. I’ve been helped getting housed countless times, with my mental health, and with getting back on track. And everything prepared me a lot more for being a father than I would’ve expected an organisation to help me prepare for. My first caseworker here really helped to bring me back out of my shell, really boosting my self-esteem.
“Things are going great for me at the moment. With the support I got here, especially when it came to my son being born, I was then motivated into getting a job and throwing myself into life. I’m working full-time. I’ve moved into new accommodation which CTS helped me with. I’m talking with my doctor again and have started my medication again. I’ll be turning 25 next year, and I’ll be too old for the service once I turn 26. But I’ve recently started thinking that, considering all the support that I’ve received from Clock Tower, I’d really like to come back, be a volunteer, and help other people who have been in my situation.
“Everyone who’s ever passed through here, all these people that have the best and most capable minds, they could absolutely achieve all of their goals with the correct amount of support.”
The Clock Tower Sanctuary is Brighton & Hove’s only drop-in day centre for young people facing homelessness, and we receive no government or council funding. It’s thanks to the incredible support of our community that young people like Brandon can count on us for support, safety, and stability.
Please, give whatever you can today and ensure that young people like Brandon are seen, heard, encouraged, and supported to reach their full potential. Thank you.
Will you give a gift to a young person facing homelessness?
Since 1998, the Clock Tower Sanctuary has been here for 16 to 25 year olds experiencing homelessness in Brighton & Hove. We’re the city’s only drop-in day centre, where young people who have nowhere to call home can feel safe and ‘just be’. We listen and respond to what each client needs and treat everyone as an individual.
We know that no young person chooses to be homeless, and five days a week, young people facing homelessness can count on us for healthy hot meals, showers, laundry, groups and activities, support with appointments and applications, 1-2-1 casework, and more, all of which are free.
But we need your help. Each and every day, many young people rely on us for safety and support. Will you donate to ensure that our centre remains available for young people who need us?