About Us
Started in 1991 by a group of Christians in Worthing, Turning Tides is now the biggest provider of services for single homeless people in West Sussex. We continue to grow and develop our services to meet the needs of the local area – with over 5,000 supporters, 300 volunteers and 140 staff.
We know anyone’s life can unravel into homelessness. So we bring together compassionate individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to transform the lives of people in our local community and to change perceptions of homelessness.
We provide a warm, safe space to listen to anyone who comes to us for help. We provide real pathways out of homelessness and are committed to supporting people at every stage of their journey. The breadth of our services empower people experiencing homelessness to become confident and find the strength and belief in themselves to create a brighter future.
- Outreach teams reach out to rough sleepers and run drop in community hubs.
- Residential projects help people off the streets and support them as they rebuild their lives.
- Specialist staff work with mental health issues, trauma and addiction.
- ‘Move-on’ housing provides that much needed step towards independent living.
Our clients shape our services as coproduction is at the heart of everything we do. We work in close partnership, across all sectors, drawing from the strengths and generosity of our local community.
Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can end local homelessness.
Click on the years below to view our charitable accounts.
990 people in West Sussex
accessed & supported by Turning Tides throughout 2020-21
Everyone should have a home.
With your support we can achieve our mission - to end local homelessness.
Our People
John Holmstrom
Chief Executive
John has been the Chief Executive of Turning Tides since July 2013. This follows nearly 30 years working in the homelessness sector at Brighton Housing Trust where he was Assistant Chief Executive. John originally trained in theology with plans to be ordained. When he started working with homelessness his vocation shifted to meeting the housing and support needs of men and women who are socially excluded. Over the years he specialised in private rented sector access/leasing, legal/housing advice, campaigning, supported housing developments, IT and asset management. His vocation remains undiminished and his current role allows him to bring together his Christian roots with his commitment to social justice. A dream job! John is a big believer in partnership working and systems leadership. He is a founder member and current chair of the South East Homelessness Forum, a Trustee of YMCA Downs Link Group and a Governor of Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust. Music is a big part of John’s life (which included spending 2 years in his early years in Brighton working as a professional musician in various blues oriented bands). He is a 5th Dan in Ki Aikido. John also volunteers for ‘A Band of Brothers’ a charity that supports young men in the Criminal Justice System. |
Niall Read
Head of Operations
Niall has lived in the Worthing area for the last 50 years and has seven children. His interests include cycling and kayaking (British Canoe Union Coach).
Niall has worked in the homeless field for the past 15 years including previously working for CRI and Stonham Housing Association and previously in a role with Turning Tides setting up Manor Road, a Stepping Stones Project. Working for Turning Tides gives Niall the autonomy to develop and grow services in line with the needs of clients and local communities.
Niall originally moved into a social care field of work through interests developed in voluntary roles coaching young people. Niall is currently the Registered Care Manager of the Recovery Project with a First Class Honours degree in Substance Misuse Management from Kent University.
Bethan Park
Head of Finance
Bethan is a Chartered Accountant and has been Head of Finance at Turning Tides since she joined in January 2024. She brings a wealth of experience from previous finance roles in schools, construction and recruitment. From her early career in there has been a particular emphasis on charities, covering community arts, sports and leisure, education and even a museum. Along with ensuring accurate financial management and reporting, she has a particular interest in improving and simplifying internal systems and processes and ensuring value for money.
As a relative newcomer to Worthing, she is enjoying working collaboratively both within the organisation and locally to ensure that the finances are best used to fulfil the mission.
Rebecca Mossman - Beckett
Head of Human Resources
Becky joined Turning Tides in January 2022 as Head of Human Resources.
She has over 30 years’ experience of working within HR mainly within the private sector. Her earlier career was working for Daewoo Motor Company, IKEA and Argos and the later part for large outsourcing companies such as Xafinity and HireRight. Her career allowed her to travel and learn about different cultures in the workplace and provided amazing learning opportunities in all areas of HR.
In 2019 due to personal life changes, Becky decided to shift gears and worked for herself as an HR consultant. At this time she supported several small charities and found the work rewarding. She soon realised that working with people and doing a job she enjoyed was something she missed greatly and in 2022 joined Turning Tides.
The love of her job drives’ Becky to want to make it a better place for people to work and this now working for Turning Tides where the people we are employing are helping the lives of others makes coming to work a rewarding experience.
Family, dogs and everything food related are Becky’s’ other passions.
Ian Mintram
Chair of Trustees
Following my degree from Manchester, I worked for around 35 years in Human Resources. I initially worked for Kimberly Clark and then for 23 years with GlaxoSmithKline. It was GSK that brought me to the Worthing area in 1990, as I was Head of HR for the Worthing factory, although I then went on to work in a number of international HR roles.
I was a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I have retired and apart from rediscovering the joys of West Sussex, I enjoy running, failing to learn French and watching cricket (in my playing days I was a dour opening bat who could make Boycott look like an attacking batsman!).
I am married with two grown up daughters. The reason why I volunteer with Turning Tides is that it is a local charity with very focussed objectives of not only helping homeless people with their immediate needs, but also providing support to help clients find a way out of homelessness.
Nick Beverley-Hedger
Trustee
A fair chunk of Nick’s life has been spent living abroad, both as a child and through work, in Brazil, Argentina, and Bermuda. Those experiences broadened his horizons and helped develop a profound appreciation for diverse cultures and communities.
Equipped with an impressive background in Genetics (University of Nottingham) and also Chartered Management Accountant, Nick became a global financial controller with teams in 7 countries around the world (not an easy task!).
As a Volunteer before becoming a Trustee, Nick used his skills as an independent member of the Finance and Audit Committee at Turning Tides for three years. As a Trustee, Nick looks forward to helping Turning Tides navigate the challenges ahead and continue its amazing and vitally important work.
Now retired and living in Worthing with his wife (and two dogs!), between them they have four grown up children and four grandchildren; Nick loves living by the sea, even if it’s not quite as warm as some of the other places he’s lived!
Some of Nick’s hobbies include walking with the dogs, reading science fiction, being a Liverpool FC supporter, listening to music (particularly Bruce Springsteen) and dance nights with his wife.
Nick believes everyone deserves a warm bed, a safe haven, and a chance to rebuild their life.
Daniel Keech
Trustee
Dan currently works in the Homelessness Sector for Brighton and Hove City Council as a Resettlement and Reconnection Officer having begun his career at St. Mungo’s No Second Night Out. He specialises in working with people who are new to rough sleeping, may need assistance and advocacy to return to their home locality, as well as by forming sustainable housing pathways with people to work together to address their homelessness.
Having studied History at University College London, Dan went on to embark on a successful career in Hospitality Management until a traumatic life event resulted in him experiencing a period of homelessness first-hand. Navigating the system to recover from this time in his life, and meeting some inspirational people who helped him, provided the catalyst for Dan to reassess his priorities and forged the realisation that he could use his abilities, life experience and skills from his previous career to make a difference for other people experiencing hardship.
As a passionate believer in health and social inclusivity, a committed dog owner and proud member of the LGBTQI+ community, Dan believes every person that finds themselves rough sleeping, no matter their past, who they are, their background (or if they have four-legged companion!), deserves as many chances as they need to rebuild their lives and have the opportunity flourish through equal access to every aspect of the system.
Singing and acting are important to Dan, and he is highly unlikely to turn down any invitation to take to a stage!
Marianne Wright
Trustee
Marianne retired from in June 2023 from a large multi-national organisation where she held the position of Group Customer Experience Director with global responsibility for Sales Channel Development, including the Centres of Excellence for Customer Experience, Change Management, Continuous Improvement and Project/Programme Management.
Having spent the past 25 years of her career focussed on transformational change in a variety of industry sectors Marianne holds qualifications in Change Management, Lean Sigma, Risk Management, Project and Programme Management. She is also a qualified accountant (FCMA).
Marianne joined Turning Tides in July 2023 as a volunteer, doing Breakfast Club and work as a Befriender. She joined the Board of Trustees in February 2024.
Married to Richard she has a grown-up daughter, Charlie. Now in retirement Marianne enjoys volunteering for local charities. Travelling and learning about different cultures, ways of life and cuisines is a passion, and she travels extensively with Richard. When at home in Worthing she enjoys cooking, arts & craft, hiking and cycling.
Richenda Kullar
Trustee
Richenda has been volunteering with Turning Tides since before 2000, so has a long history sharing its journey! Her involvement with homelessness started with soup running with St Mungo’s Trust whilst at University (and very alarmingly driving the van with the soup!). Later she visited clients in prison or the police cells which gave an insight into the links between, and the complexity of, the issues our clients face.
Her Christian faith is vital and has been attending St Mary’s Broadwater for over 30 years.
Most of Richenda’s working life has been spent as a qualified Barrister and in-house legal adviser to companies in the financial services sector. She retired in 2022, which has allowed more time to be involved with Turning Tides and to help clients with debts, benefits, and anything else related. Also involved as a Non-Executive Director with Boom Community Bank (a credit union providing affordable loans to customers in West Sussex, Surrey and Berkshire on a not for profit basis).
In her spare time Richenda enjoys travelling (though less of that now!), going to the theatre and book group. She has always enjoyed running, having completed a number of marathons and half marathons in her day; but now it is just a gentle plod along the seafront! She loves being with her grandchildren, two are close by but two are in California. Richenda has lived in Sussex since 1981 but was brought up in Mansfield. Living by the sea is still a source of delight.
Duncan Anderson
Trustee
Duncan worked in the Leisure industry for 30 years across the South East. He started as a Lifeguard and worked his way to become CEO of South Downs Leisure, where he was involved in the design and build of three new leisure centres in Southampton and Worthing. In 2000, Duncan had a scholarship to Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia working at the Commonwealth Games Complex.
In his spare time, Duncan was a Scout Leader in Rustington (until 2020), and currently the Event Director with Worthing Parkrun, founder member of Goodgym Worthing and organiser of the Three Forts Marathon. His hobbies include running (especially Parkruns!) walking and bike rides.
Martin Quinn
Trustee
Martin was born in Glasgow, grew up in Stoke on Trent and studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Aston in Birmingham, before moving to Worthing in 1982. He worked for GlaxoSmithKline for 33 years and was on the Worthing site Leadership Team for around 20 years; since 2015 working as an independent leadership consultant/trainer.
Over the last few years Martin volunteered as a cook at St Clare’s Community hub and Byron Road hostel; very keen to do whatever he can to help the homeless in the area.
As a Trustee, Martin is very pleased to further support Turning Tides in the vital services the Charity provides. Married with two grown up children, in his spare time Martin enjoys watching and playing sport, walking with their dog, cooking and gardening.
Bill Jones
Trustee
Bill first became involved with Turning Tides as a volunteer because he wanted to help less fortunate people going through difficult times including poverty, social exclusion and homelessness.
Bill moved back to Sussex, where he was born, when he retired from a career as a journalist and, later, in public relations. He has written for national newspapers, appeared on TV and radio as a commentator and, in his PR role, has written briefings and speeches for public figures, including one for a Prime Minister about social inclusion in inner-cities. One of his political campaigns helped the Liverpool-based Furniture Resource Centre gain traction for their work as a social enterprise to reduce furniture poverty in north-east England while employing survivors of substance abuse, former prisoners, and the long-term unemployed.
Bill’s hobbies centre on travel, music and sport although his teenage musical ambitions came to nothing in the late 1960s when he and his band failed an audition for a record deal. On the sporting front, he is a life-long supporter and season ticket holder at Brighton & Hove Albion.
He has five children and one grandchild and lives in Worthing with his wife Sally.
Tim Cooper
Trustee
Tim worked for almost thirty years in a large multinational in the Pharmaceutical industry. Initially he enjoyed working as a management accountant, first in one factory and then with factories across the world. Later in his career, Tim moved into strategy, optimising production and supply of medicines.
Having left the corporate world and set up his own company, Tim now has more time to volunteer for roles close to his heart, including being a Trustee for Turning Tides – a charity he, his family and his Church have supported for many years.
Jon Rosser
Trustee
Jon worked in social housing for many years becoming Chief Executive of Town and Country Housing Group and Interim Chief Executive of Westward Housing Group. Jon then changed direction and worked internationally for several charities including 8 years as Chief Executive of World Child Cancer until his retirement.
While working internationally Jon retained a connection to Housing, first as Chair of Gateway Housing and now as Chair of the Single Homeless project based in London.
On retiring I returned to Brighton to live and am keen to contribute to the community in Sussex and hence was very pleased to join the board at Turning Tides.
Jon has one adult daughter and lives with his dog, Bella.
Kind, generous and warm hearted
A voice for homeless men & women
A place of safety, respect & trust
Ambitious homelessness is not an inevitability
Engaging, motivating and inspiring
Inclusive & welcoming
Valuing faith, spirituality & our Christian roots
Led by clients’ & communities’ expertise & experience
Clients + Community
Are At The Heart
Of Our Mission
We provide a warm, safe space to listen to anyone who comes to us for help. The breadth of our services support and empower local people experiencing homelessness to become confident and find the strength and belief in themselves to create a brighter future.
Turning Tides’ Timeline
1990
Where it all started
A kind & visionary group of Christians begin to support rough sleepers in Worthing.1992
WCHP is formed
The caring deeds of a few become many & Worthing Churches Homeless Projects is formed1993
Hostel Doors Open
Queen's Lodge converted into a hostel & opened its door to the homeless in Worthing.1994
Future secured
Byron Road is purchased by WCHP1999
The charity grows
Awareness of our work increases & vital partnerships grow. St Clare’s Hub begins.2005
A pathway out of addiction
The Recovery Project opens giving a lifeline to people struggling with addiction2013-19
West Sussex charity
Our services grow to support homeless people in the North, Mid & South of West Sussex2018
Same values, new name
We rebrand WCHP to Turning Tides – to reflect our wider work across the county2020
Determination always
We are the largest provider of support for single homeless people in West Sussex2020
Emergency Appeal launches
Our first ever Emergency Appeal is launched as Covid-19 rapidly accelerates homelessnessPrayer Pointers
We would be very grateful if you and/or your Church would like to include Turning Tides in your prayers.
Father God we pray:
- For people who have recently lost accommodation and will be sleeping rough
- The presence of God be felt even in the loneliest of places on the streets
- For resilience and a kind hand on those under pressure
- For peace and harmony, particularly within relationships under strain
- Please bless all those who generously support Turning Tides as they do their vital work