A GROUP of grassroots charities and not-for-profit organisations have formed a Coalition of Relief (COR) which aims to break the long-term cycle of homelessness and get people off Manchester’s streets. The groups involved are Coffee4Craig, LifeShare, Sleeping Ruff, Community Awareness Network, Addiction Dependency Solutions, Myriad Foundation, Not Just Soup, Mad Dogs and Breakfast in Bed.
Nearly twice as many people are sleeping rough in Manchester than last year
Working alongside Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Police and other non-grassroots homeless organisations, the coalition will meet fortnightly; developing plans to alter public perception, encourage responsible giving and increase the availability of accessible housing. Other organisations are invited to apply to join.
Mikey Thompson of the Community Awareness Network Group said: “This is a huge step in the right direction and it’s great to be working with so many great charities and grass root organisations on such a large scale. There is a sense that this could be a fresh start, and a feeling that things are being done differently here in Manchester. We are now a city standing united against homelessness, and by coming together we are much more effective in tackling homelessness and its surrounding issues”.
Considering nearly twice as many people are sleeping rough in Manchester than last year, the formation is a timely one and comes with several other recent measures to fight homelessness. Manchester City Council - aided by free support from organisations like Bruntwood and Condecco - has spent the last few weeks refurbishing the former Hulme Library and Beech Mount Children’s Home in Harpurhey for use by rough sleepers during the winter months. The referral-based night shelters are now managed by Riverside Care and Support and help occupants access services like healthcare, employment, drug specialists and accommodation advice. Local charity Lifeshare is donating Christmas boxes containing essentials like toiletries and breakfast items.
Three more buildings that were previously shared houses - additionally to spaces opened up by faith groups and even Manchester United footballers - mean over extra 165 bed spaces will be available this winter. Discussions are now being held to find a more permanent solution once the centres close.
Local homelessness charities Booth Centre and Barnabus also held outdoor ‘sleepouts’ last month to raise awareness of an epidemic which, according to a Barnabus report, has seen rough sleeping increase by a staggering 89% from 2010 to 2014; and which Shelter statistics indicate is set to soar yet further. The national charity says North West councils have been inundated with over 31,000 requests for help from people on the brink of homelessness - a rise of 96% in the last five years - demonstrating the importance of tackling homelessness at the root.
Campbell Robb, Shelter’s Chief Executive said: “It’s truly devastating to hear that so many people – including families with children – are teetering on the brink of homelessness. It’s heart-breaking to imagine one child waking up homeless and in unstable temporary accommodation on Christmas morning, yet we know that over 100,000 children across the country are facing exactly that fate (as a result of) our affordable housing shortage and cuts to welfare”.
For more information, or to pledge support, visit bigchangemcr or shelter