Lifeshare – Manchester’s oldest homelessness charity – is set to open its doors for the entire Christmas period.
From December 23 – 29, the charity will throw open the doors of the Mosaic Centre, Dale Street on a daily basis to offer three meals a day, companionship, showers, health support and clothing to homeless and vulnerable people from across the city, all with a festive package of entertainment and good spirits.
This will be the 30th year that Lifeshare has opened over the Christmas period, over which time it has provided an estimated 156,000 Christmas dinners. This year the charity is expecting to serve upwards of 4,000 meals – a huge jump from 1,000 in 2023 – and on Christmas Eve, Maxine Peake will join Lifeshare’s team of volunteers who will pitch in to ensure that nobody goes without.
It comes after a challenging year for the charity, which also marks its 40th anniversary, during which it faced financial pressures and possible closure. However, a £67,000 donation from The Moulding Foundation raised during a recent ‘Ladies Lunch’ event at King Street Townhouse will enable Lifeshare to continue providing critical services until at least April 2025.
Additional funding has also been raised through sales of Lifeshare’s limited-edition Christmas t-shirts designed in collaboration with Manchester artists, as well as donations from many of the charity’s wonderful, regular corporate supporters
The funding will also allow the charity to provide a much-needed doggy day care service for those unable to access vital resources over the holidays.
Judith Vickers, operational manager at Lifeshare, said:“With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to bite, demand for our services is at an all-time high – especially during the festive season, when many of Manchester’s most vulnerable face increased financial pressures and isolation. We are here for anyone who needs a hot meal and a friendly face in what can be an extremely challenging time for many – no questions asked.
“Over the last few months, so many of our supporters have stepped up and donated cash when we were in serious financial trouble – a big thank you to them all. We’re also hugely grateful to Jodie and her team at The Moulding Foundation for their invaluable support, which has provided a real lifeline for us. With the help of our amazing volunteers – who basically keep us going and are giving up their own Christmases to support those in need – we hope our Christmas Project will provide a little light, warmth and much-needed comfort this festive season.”
Further details
The Lifeshare Christmas Project will be open from the 23rd – 29th of December at the Mosaic Wellbeing Centre, 2 Dale Street, M1 1JW at the below times:
- Saturday 21st December 7am – 9am
- Sunday 22nd December 7am – 9am
- Monday December 23rd 7am – 7pm
- Tuesday December 24th 7am – 7pm
- Christmas Day December 25th 7am – 7pm
- Thursday December 26th 7am – 7pm
- Friday December 27th 7am – 7pm
- Saturday December 28th 7am – 9am
- Sunday December 29th 7am – 9am
Anyone is welcome to attend with no questions asked, for as many days as they need.
