Graham Wood

Inside Copenhagen’s drug consumption rooms

(A Twitter thread. With thanks to @karynmccluskey for sharing) “So spent the evening in 2 drug consumption rooms in Copenhagen and trying to process what I have seen. I won’t do this justice and probably have to reflect on it, but I met one of the most expert, practical managers in the DCR and I […]

Support for people begging in Manchester

An innovative scheme which aims to support vulnerable people and reduce begging is being trialled in Manchester city centre. Led by Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council, the Street Engagement Hub aims to tackle the underlying issues which have resulted in people begging. How it works Police and council officers refer people known to […]

Coffee4Craig is moving – here’s how you can help.

Coffee4Craig provide a seven nights a week evening drop-in service for people who are rough sleeping within Manchester. But they offer so much more than just home-cooked hot food. Practical advice and signposting, crisis intervention, medical support, accommodation referrals and always emotional support – 7 nights a week. Coffee4Craig supports over 60 people each night […]

Manchester’s Emergency Accommodation Standards – Review on Progress January 2020

The Vision and Objectives were set out in the Emergency Accommodation Standards that were agreed by the Manchester Homeless Partnership and Manchester City Council in August 2019.  (Read Safety. Respect. Support here). They were reviewed at the Emergency Accommodation Action Group meeting on 28th January 2020. Vision for June 2022 And Beyond That everyone who […]

Roadside Mum

Can we talk for a minute about how you don’t think you know any Travellers, or Gypsies please? I think you do. I think I know why you don’t realise you do.  First let’s talk about the press we get. Almost without exception, the press sell fear. Attention grabbing, emotionally inflaming horror stories engage and […]

Getting the support, resources and information to homeless families.

With much of the media emphasis currently focused on people sleeping rough in Greater Manchester and beyond, it’s worth being reminded of the number of (often displaced) families who live in temporary accommodation in the area. Here are the numbers followed by some practical ways to help. 2742 children are living in temporary accommodation in […]

Telling a different story.

Understanding news media coverage of severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD) Telling a Different Story is a research inquiry conducted between January 2018 to March 2019. It explores how print and online news media report on severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD). In this report, SMD refers to the interlocking nature of multiple disadvantages such as extreme […]

Contact numbers and support for people in Reading this Christmas

Please see below for details regarding contacting the Council when someone is homeless/rough sleeping in Reading throughout the Christmas and New Year period, where the Council offices are closed throughout. (Scroll down for a timetable of additional services over Christmas and New Year very kindly produced by Launchpad) Council Offices are closed from 5pm on […]

Xmas Drop-In Timetable (Manchester)

Saturday 21st December 2019 to Wednesday 1st January 2020 Who’s open, what’s happening and where. Contact details & links to printable PDF docs below. Sat 21st Dec Coffee4Craig 5pm – 7pm Food, showers, advice & support Lifeshare 7am – 9am Cooked breakfast Mustard Tree 10am – 4pm Furniture, clothing, food club. Reach Out TTC 10am […]

25 Ways To Support People Over Winter

Here’s just a few ways you can help the charities who work tirelessly throughout the year helping people who have nowhere safe to call home. Along the way, you’ll also meet some incredible people….. Booth Centre Giving advice, helping people find accommodation, supporting people into work, running a variety of activities. (They also provide breakfast […]