We would like to share an update on the Youth Action Initiative following a recent event. The initiative is part of the Manchester Homelessness Charter and recently more than 40 young people from across different youth organisations attended an evening where lots of great ideas for going forward were discussed. The meeting focused on planning […]
The Homelessness Charter Mental Health Action Group had a great session recently and we want to keep you updated and share the key findings from the session. The Action Group met on the 14th September at MadLabs on Edge Street over lunch. The session was about coming together as a full Mental Health Action Group […]
For anyone experiencing homelessness it is difficult and confusing to know where to even start with finding accommodation. There is limited accommodation for those who are not in priority need, and most need a referral from the council or another service. People often contact us asking what options they have, or trying to advise someone […]
Registered charity Stop Start Go (SSG) Sustainable Living has opened its doors to a new hostel offering a holistic home for the homeless in Manchester. A stone’s throw away from the Booth Centre, the hostel on Cheetham Hill Road offers temporary supported accommodation and an innovative tailored programme of support for 15 people. The first phase […]
Material needs aren’t the whole story. Daniel doesn’t blame his council for evicting him after a so-called friend wired his electric meter and lived rent-free while Daniel was in hospital after a heart attack. But he did not have the two weeks rent they demanded to let him back and he’s been sleeping on the […]
Thanks to extraordinary Big Change. In a way Craig is a typical rough sleeper. He has no long-term support needs. No mental health issues. No substance abuse. He doesn’t fit the rough sleeper stereotype – but he soon could. Anyone can have the bad luck to end up sleeping rough. Craig was “horrified” when his […]
To stay drug-free Les needs to be off the streets. For Les, ending up in jail again at 45, with a life of drug abuse contributing to his criminal record, was the final wake-up call. Les has finally agreed that he’s ready for change. He’s at last talking to the drug services he needs to […]
Independent living is a Big Change bonus. Simon’s dream since becoming homeless and spending 13 months in temporary accommodation has started to come true. He has at last found an unfurnished flat of his own. But, yet to find work, Simon was living without the basic ‘white goods’ which most of us take for granted. […]
Preventing homelessness with Big Change connections. Sue was full of hope last year when she left her settled life here to move in with her new partner in London. But her relationship soon became abusive and she had to flee Women’s Aid who found her space in a women’s refuge down south. This year, determined to […]
More than just the ticket. Robert is a Londoner. When things went downhill five months ago he found himself stuck in Manchester, far from his family and living on our streets. Discussions revealed that Robert believed he could call on and accept help – as a family member and an ex-serviceman – back in his […]
First steps to life off the streets. We thought this young man was rough sleeping, but the first two times we tried talking he didn’t want to discuss any of his circumstances. Next time we spoke – to ask how we may be able to help – he gave his name. John. John still didn’t reveal […]
On Tuesday we hosted our first ‘Raising Bee‘ workathon – an event for digital folk to volunteer to work together on a regular basis, on features requested through the Manchester Homelessness Charter action groups. The idea emerged from the recent HomelessHack event – we know there are lots of people with really useful skills who care about this issue and […]
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