WAYS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE INSECURELY HOUSED OR HOMELESS IN GREATER MANCHESTER

PLEASE NOTE: This is a live document which is being collated from ongoing conversations with a variety of homelessness charities and services across Greater Manchester. This page will be updated regularly.

If you are able to offer anything on this list, or if you would like to add something please email: gm-covid@streetsupport.net

<< URGENTLY NEEDED >>

Volunteer drivers (Many warehouse volunteers are going back to work now so we’re in short supply!)
Non-perishable food (e.g. tins, dried pasta, sugar, coffee/tea)
PPE supplies (face masks, gloves etc.)
Large quantity of take out containers and disposable cutlery
Solo activities for adults and children (books, jigsaws, puzzles, colouring pads and pens)
Mobile phones and chargers
Support volunteers for peak shifts (7:00 – 11:00 & 16:00 -20:00)
Ready meals
Laundry powder
Gluten-free and vegetarian food

HYGIENE PACKS

Personal-sized hygiene products to people so that they can stay safe and are able to follow public health guidelines.

Wet wipes
Hand sanitizers (60% alcohol if possible)
Individual packs of tissues
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, flannels, shampoo, shower gel, sanitary products, deodorant, hand wash
Toilet roll

CLEANING SUPPLIES

Charities are having to more regularly deep clean their building in efforts to reduce the spread of any germs. This means their cleaning supply stocks are running low.

Washing up gloves
Blue medical gloves
Aprons
Blue roll / kitchen roll
Toilet roll
Disinfectant sprays
Sponges / cloths / tea towels
Mops and mop buckets
Boxes of tissues
Liquid hand soap
Thermometers

FOOD DONATIONS

Charities have seen a reduction in their food stocks and are having to find new ways of getting food to the people who need it most.

Freezer food
Non-perishable items (tins, dried pasta/rice, pot noodles, cuppa soups, bottled drinks, dried fruit, crisps, nuts, porridge sachets etc.)
Tea, coffee, sugar
Longlife milk, UHT or powdered milk
Ready meals
Tinned protein
Packed lunch items or food that can be taken away (e.g. fruit, individual wrapped products – crisps, chocolate bars, cereal bars, fruit bags, sandwiches etc.)
We would also like to hear from people who could offer larger quantities of food on a
regular basis at a discounted rate

OTHER HIGH-DEMAND ITEMS

Baby formula
Nappies
Children’s toys
Face wipes
Strong paper bags of various sizes as COVID-19 can live on plastic for days
Disposable cutlery (plates, knives, forks, spoons, napkins etc)
Tech needs of remote workers (laptops / smartphones)
Tech needs for people who are homeless (continuing to access support & alleviate boredom/social isolation)
TV’s
Take out boxes or food containers
Beds and bedding
Suncream

STAFFING AND VOLUNTEERS

Many charities are running reduced services and have colleagues/volunteers who are self-isolating or remote working. Most are concerned about the impact of school closures. Some want more volunteers, others are currently not taking on anyone new.

Chefs/cooks
Experienced security staff (volunteers or contractors who can offer a discounted rate)
Volunteer decorators/sorters (to use service closure as an opportunity to renovate)
Volunteer delivery people (would need their own car)
Support volunteers at peak times in new accommodations (07:00 – 11:00 & 16:00 – 20:00)
Nightstop hosts for young people ( https://uk.depaulcharity.org/NightstopUK )
Deep clean volunteers or contractors who can offer a discounted rate

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

All charities asked for financial support to meet current demands, to ensure that they can continue to pay staff, and to get ready to re-open or move back to a full service. Financial donations both large and small are welcomed.

UPDATE: The Migrant Destitution Fund is for people with nowhere to live, no right to work and no ability to get state support who are in a hugely precarious situation right now. This fund supports people who are not entitled to work or to access state benefits. For details about the fund, how it works, a couple of stories from people the fund has helped and a link to donating, please visit our news page and follow the links:

Charities and organisations continue to support people who are homeless throughout this crisis and we realise it’s a big ask. If you can help in any of the above ways or perhaps you can think of other ways to help, please in the first instance contact gm-covid@streetsupport.net

Thanks as ever for your time and your continued support. Please take care.
All the team at Street Support Network