Our team

Frances

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary

I was brought up in a family who believed in and practised volunteering and being active in our communities and it stuck. I now have 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector as well as stints in the private and statutory sectors as CEO, director/governor and volunteer.

I came to The Clock Tower Sanctuary on an interim basis but once I was through the door, I realised I wanted to stay!

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?

Working with young people is great: I love their energy and their belief that they can change their future prospects. I am proud to be part of the support system that enables them to do that.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?

My mum’s Victoria sandwich with cream and coffee glacé icing.

Clare

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary
I have worked with young people in a number of different settings for 22 years. After a 12 year gap I have returned to working with young people experiencing homelessness. I love working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary. I am always amazed and inspired by the resilience and determination of the people who come through our doors.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?
My work colleagues and the young people who access the centre.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?
Black decaf coffee, no milk or sugar. Vegan chocolate cake.

Clair

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary
I started working at the Clock Tower Sanctuary in 2016 as a contractor, helping with finance and management reporting.
I initially started as a 2 week contract covering holidays and never left -gaining employment in 2017.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?
I like that we are all working towards something positive and it isn’t all business!

What’s your favourite tea time treat?
Strong coffee with oat milk – there are so many nice cakes I find it hard to choose!

Chris

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary

I have been working in the charity sector for over 9 years & have been living in Brighton for the last 7 years. I really wanted to work with a charity nearer to home that brought me  closer to the issues facing young people in Brighton & Hove. I am so happy I got the chance to join a team that is making such an important impact on our local community.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?

Working with a wonderful team who are passionate about making a difference. Who truly care about some of the most vulnerable people in our community. The centre is incredible and is a truly inclusive sanctuary for young people who need support. It’s amazing to work in a charity making such a difference.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?

It’s got to be a mini-roll. Unbeatable!

Claud

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary
Having worked in the homeless sector in Brighton for about 16 years I have always been aware of The Clock Tower Sanctuary and the great work it does. Despite having changed significantly over the years the feeling of a safe, homely, non-judgmental space for young people to go has stayed the same.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?
I am so lucky to coordinate the amazing team of volunteers. They are such a great bunch of truly inspiring people.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?
Strong tea, no sugar with a shortbread finger.

Ross

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary

I have recently returned to the Clock Tower Sanctuary as a Support Coordinator after having done an internship here 3.5 years ago. I’m looking forward to helping young people on their journey out of experiencing homelessness.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?

I love having a supportive and friendly team who are all dedicated to supporting our clients and making a difference to their lives.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?

Coffee and chocolate biscuits.

Poppy

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary

I have been a youth and support worker in the city for 11 years now. I have been aware of the amazing frontline work the CTS does for some time, so when I saw the job advert, I jumped at the opportunity.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?

Being part of a skilled and passionate team, and being able to support and empower our city’s most vulnerable young people.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?

Anything savoury or cheesy like me!!

George

Lenny

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary

I started volunteering for Clock Tower when I first moved to Brighton in 2021 as I wanted to feel part of the community. I really enjoyed it from the first day and have learnt so much from the clients, volunteers and staff – even more so since I started working here.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?

I really enjoy the atmosphere at the centre – it feels safe and welcoming and like people can just be themselves for a bit. I really enjoy working with the young people and some of the unexpected and entertaining tangents that lunchtime conversations go down.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?
any kind of chocolate biscuit, and far too much coffee

Rob

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at the Clock Tower Sanctuary

For the first time since moving to Brighton 6 years prior, my working week enabled me to fulfil my desire to do some volunteer work. I began volunteering with The Clock Tower Sanctuary already highly aware of their positive reputation and was pleased to discover for myself what an excellent service it is. After 16 months of volunteering, and many delicious meals in the centre, an opportunity arose to become part of the team as one of the Duty Coordinators and I jumped at the chance.

What do you like most about working at the Clock Tower Sanctuary?

Interacting with the young people who access the service is a real pleasure. You never know exactly how the day will pan out but you always know that you will leave at the end of the day having had some good laughs and interesting conversations – occasionally with a game of table tennis thrown in too!

What’s your favourite tea time treat?

It’s black coffee for me and with any sort of biscuit or cake that I can get my hands on.

Helen

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary
I began volunteering here a few years back. I’ve always wanted to help in the homeless community and this was perfect. Through volunteering I then became a part time member of staff.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?
I love working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary as we see first hand what a difference we can make to young’s peoples lives and support them with their goals and aspirations. It’s almost a family in itself.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?
I love a builder’s tea with one sugar. Millionaires cheesecake.

Ben

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at the Clock Tower Sanctuary?

My background is in life sciences research. I started working at CTS in 2023 after hearing about the wonderful work the centre does from friends who have worked and volunteered at the centre in the past.

What do you like most about working at the Clock Tower Sanctuary?

I have really enjoyed working with all the staff/volunteers at the Clock Tower Sanctuary, everyone is very passionate and engaged with the work the centre does. I think the role that we play in the community is extremely important and I’m really glad to be a part of it.

What’s your favourite teatime treat?

I’m much more of a coffee person, and I love a Tunnock’s tea cake!

Hannah

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary
I worked in hospitality for years and was hugely unsatisfied. I finally made it out and into the charity sector via volunteering and freelance projects for a tiny food poverty charity. A couple of large charities later, I was seeking something smaller with a more tangible impact. I jumped at the chance to join the Clock Tower Sanctuary and I’m so glad I did.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?
The best part about fundraising is that it gives me the chance to highlight the hard work the young people, volunteers and the team put in and share it with supporters who really care.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?
It’s got to be Yorkshire Tea, and it’s always a good day with a Greggs vegan sausage roll.

Lorna

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary

I’ve been working in fundraising for ten years now, and moved to CTS from a big conservation charity. I loved the idea of working in a small team, being really close to the work we do and looking out for young people.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?

We have an amazing team with so much dedication to changing young lives. I love the fast pace and varied work that comes with working for a small charity. Being in fundraising means you get to see the very best of people – I am always so moved by the generosity and empathy I see from our supporters. There’s no greater satisfaction knowing that the money we raise will help a young person who is having a tough time.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?

That’s a tricky question, I do love cake! Something fruity, like an apple and blackberry cake please.

Patty

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at the Clock Tower Sanctuary?

I started volunteering at CTS in early 2022, and being here reliably led to the most rewarding moments of each and every week.

What do you like most about working at the Clock Tower Sanctuary?

It’s providing the ‘sanctuary’ that inspires our name – a place where young people are free to express and discover themselves, let their guards down and never doubt that there’s a place that sees, hears and celebrates them.

What’s your favourite teatime treat?

All of the coffees, all of the time.

Alex

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary.

Helping make good change happen is what I enjoy doing. My first international adventure involved rebuilding war damaged houses and schools in Kosovo in 1999. I’ve spent the last 20+ years working with amazing people all around the world who are passionate about improving really difficult challenges like improving food security in Africa and Asia. As I’ve moved from one organisation to another, I’ve learned how to tackle problems systemically.

Because I’ve worked with an international focus all my life, I connected rapidly with the Clock Tower Sanctuary. Supporting young people to have a fair chance in life, notably a place they can call home feels really important to me.

I grew up in Hassocks, and I now live with my wife and two children in Haywards Heath. Brighton is my home city. I’m a keen gardener, and enjoy playing tennis and golf, and watching the Albion!

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?

I was immediately struck by the practical difference that the Clock Tower Sanctuary makes in the lives of young people facing homelessness in Brighton and Hove; and I am continually inspired by the determination of staff and volunteers to meet the evolving needs of young people, particularly as the cost of living crisis takes its effect.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?

Oh, it’d be toast with marmalade or jam, maybe a chunk of cheddar on the side.

Mo

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary.

After a career in Sales & Marketing in technology companies, I am now one of the three founders of Watch This Sp_ce, a diversity and inclusion business to help organisations to reimagine how they work to include everyone.

I’ve been a supporter of the Clock Tower Sanctuary for many years and fundraised for the charity. I volunteer for another charity to support young people. So, when I started to think about becoming a charity Trustee, I was really interested in the Clock Tower Sanctuary as the aims to support young people who are homeless with everyday support and help for their futures really inspires and motivates me.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?

Knowing that the charity really helps young people with their futures. The team of staff, volunteers and trustees are so dedicated and inspiring. I am looking forward to helping and bringing my experience and different perspectives to the team and the work that we do.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?

I don’t drink tea, so a strong black coffee for me please. And I’ll have a freshly fried samosa (or 2) and chutney to go with that. Thanks.

Grace

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at the Clock Tower Sanctuary?

I’ve had a bit of an eclectic career; starting out as cabin crew, moving into hospitality and hotel management, spending some time in a global marketing and comms role for a commercial real estate firm and doing a short stint in executive search before moving to this amazing city and joining Silicon Brighton. Charity partnerships and community strategies have formed part of my role for the last few years and I wanted to make it a bigger part of how I spend my time. Homelessness is a cause I’m truly passionate about I feel privileged to be a part of such an amazing charity that has a real impact at a local level.

What do you like most about working at the Clock Tower Sanctuary?

I’ve been humbled by how knowledgeable the team are and it’s inspiring to be around people who make such a difference to people’s lives, both day to day and also at a strategic level. The centre is just amazing and, combined with the other organisations they partner with, it’s incredible to be part of a charity that’s making such a tangible difference.

What’s your favourite teatime treat?

A flat white (not sure if that’s cheating!) and ALL the biscuits! But a hobnob (or six) if you insist on making me choose…

Rachel

Stan

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at the Clock Tower Sanctuary?

I’m a Chartered Accountant and work for Plus Accounting in Brighton. Plus Accounting have been involved in fundraising for the Clock Tower Sanctuary therefore I was aware of the amazing work that they do. Homelessness is a cause that I’m passionate about and I feel privileged to be part of a Charity that is making an impact in the city I was born and raised in.

What do you like most about working at the Clock Tower Sanctuary?

The people! All of the staff and volunteers that I have met at the Clock Tower Sanctuary have been amazing and everyone works so hard to make a positive impact on people’s lives, it is a great environment to be in. The centre is brilliant and it is easy to see what a positive impact it has on the clients.

What’s your favourite teatime treat?

I am not a fan of tea or coffee but I do love shortbread!

Barbara

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary

I have been a fundraiser for most of my career, working in the Arts, Higher Education and most recently the International NGO sector. Brighton has been home to my family for the last twelve years, and being a part of this wonderful community is important to me. I had heard about the Clock Tower Sanctuary for several years – and all the important work that they do. So, when there was a chance to become a trustee, I jumped at it. One of my first volunteer jobs after university was with Covenant House in Toronto, a charity that works with young people who are homeless or at risk. I saw how the stress of homelessness curtailed aspirations and impacted so severely upon a young person’s ability to reach their potential.

What do you like about Clock Tower Sanctuary?

I have been so impressed by everyone that I have met at the Clock Tower Sanctuary. For me, it is not only about the wonderful work of the organisation, but it is how they do this work – with incredibly committed and passionate people both working and volunteering for the organisation. It is a real privilege to be involved with the Clock Tower Sanctuary.

Favourite tea time treat?

I have never met a cake that I didn’t like – so anything cake-like is a real treat. It is even better served with a cup of English Breakfast tea (strong) with milk (just a bit).

Lisa

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary
I have had a varied career over the past 40 years – working in the arts sector, the voluntary sector and most recently in local government. Over the past five years I have been working to improve housing and accommodation for care leavers, young homeless and unaccompanied asylum seeking children as well as supporting the development of a regional adoption agency.

I am passionate about young people in need being able to access the support and services the Clock Tower Sanctuary offers, improving the availability of decent homes for them, and in reducing the risk of homelessness. So when I looked at becoming a Trustee, the Clock Tower Sanctuary was an obvious fit and I’m delighted to have become part of the team.

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?
I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff, volunteers and of course the young people they work so hard to support, and being able to offer my time, skills and experience to support the Clock Tower Sanctuary to continue to deliver great services to improve young people’s lives and to meet any challenges and opportunities it may face in the years ahead.

What’s your favourite tea time treat?
I’m cutting down on caffeine and sugar, so a freshly made juice or a Beetroot Latte please!

Naomi

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at The Clock Tower Sanctuary

I was previously a volunteer at the Clock Tower Sanctuary for 4 years until 2017 before starting my current career as a Social Worker. I loved it at CTS so much that I decided to apply as a Trustee 7 years later!

What do you like most about working at The Clock Tower Sanctuary?

There is a definite feeling of equality and respect between everyone regardless of whether you are a client or a volunteer or paid staff. My favourite memories of my time as a volunteer for the CTS include the volunteers and clients laughing with each other and learning from one another. No matter what a client’s situation was or the struggles they were facing it was clear that they felt safe and supported by us as volunteers during their time in the centre and would leave at the end of the day feeling more positive.

I am hoping that my skills and experience now as a Senior Social Worker in Child Protection will benefit the Board of Trustees to continue to progress the Clock Tower Sanctuary as a charity and ensure the young people are receiving the correct support and opportunities they need.

What’s your ideal tea time treat?

Cheese, Chocolate and Crisps are my favourite!