GREATER Manchester Mayor’s Charity has announced the return of a groundbreaking campaign aimed to tackle homelessness in the region over the winter months.
1000 beds for Christmas campaign aims to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness as part of the A Bed Every Night. It’s designed to helps get people off the streets and back on their feet. It provides food, shelter, warmth and dedicated vital wrap around support.
The charity aims to build off the back of last year’s roaring success, which raised over £55,000 and provide 1,800 nights of accommodation through public and private donations.
This year they want to go one better through the partnership with Stockport-based property finance specialists Together, who have supported the campaign for the last two years and once again, has generously pledged to match every donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Since 2017, when numbers of people rough sleeping peaked, the A Bed Every Night scheme has helped ensure a significantly higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally. But, a lack of affordable housing, high costs of living, and changes in the asylum policy have seen the numbers of people rough sleeping increase.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives by receiving a bed to sleep in, but also access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Whether that’s giving them food parcels and donated clothing or helping them to set up a bank account and access vital NHS services, it’s helped transform thousands of lives and reintegrate them back into society.
Despite recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under a huge amount of pressure to meet the demand for their services and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed, leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:
“I’m so proud that Greater Manchester is the first ‘Housing First’ city-region in the country as it shows our strong commitment to prioritising housing across Greater Manchester.
“We know just how important a safe, secure, and affordable home is to ensure people don’t just survive, they thrive. A Bed Every Night is a central part of this, providing a critical safety net to those who are struggling.
“The impact of A Bed Every Night is a testament the generosity of Greater Manchester. Homelessness has no home here, and we can eradicate the need for rough sleeping. If you can, please help us fund 1,000 beds this Christmas, and help those who need it the most this winter.”
The charity is encouraging Greater Manchester residents, businesses and community groups far and wide to support the campaign by donating www.1000beds2024.org.uk.
