Guy Garvey, lead singer of Elbow, has collaborated with Manchester Homelessness Partnership to help raise public awareness of their Big Change initiative.
Big Change is a central fund for over 20 charities, grassroots groups and businesses working in the Manchester Homeless Partnership. It provides grants for individuals who need a helping hand building a life for themselves away from the streets. By pooling their resources into one big pot, they can tailor care more effectively for each person.
Guy narrates a short film that brings to life the various ways that donations to Big Change have made a positive impact. To date they have helped over 300 individuals across the city access a wide range of support, from emergency accommodation and counselling to career training and furniture for their new home.
Speaking of his involvement, Guy Garvey says: “These ridiculous stories spring up around homelessness because people can’t actually imagine it so they have to justify it happening. People who sleep on the streets aren’t doing it out of choice. It’s a really great thing to be part of a city that is going to eradicate homelessness.”
The main message of the film is about encouraging the public to ‘give differently’, to donate their small change to the Big Change initiative, rather than individuals on the streets.
Eleanor Watts, Big Change action group chairperson says: “Homelessness has reached critical levels in Manchester and we need to work together to make a real impact.
“Each time we walk past a rough sleeper in our city’s doorways, it’s hard not feel bad, so we give a bit of change, even if we know it won’t help them in the long-term. With Big Change, we’re asking people to give differently – to donate those spare pennies to us – so we can make sure the homeless community of Manchester get the right help to get them off the streets for good.
“Having Guy Garvey on board with this project was an absolute joy, partly because we love him and his music, but also because we hope that with his help our message will reach a wider audience.”
