is Manchester’s oldest charity dedicated to supporting homeless and vulnerable people in Greater Manchester. Established in 1984 by a group of volunteers who recognised the lack of support for the city’s increasing number of rough sleepers. In the following decades, the charity’s initiatives would become fundamental to the efforts in tackling homelessness in Manchester.
Lifeshare remains focused on helping meet the needs of homeless and vulnerable people in Manchester and Salford. The first point of contact is with people on the streets, offering practical assistance, support and information. They also provide continued assistance that enables people to secure suitable accommodation, support them in maintaining their tenancies and help access initiatives that carry their lives forward.
The charity is a non-religious organization and has no political affiliations.
Their objectives can be summarised :
- identify street homelessness and offer assistance in obtaining emergency accommodation, signposting other relevant agencies and information for support
- alleviate aspects of poverty and hardship through redistribution of resources
- assist people to access Primary Health Care and to promote health and harm reduction
Lifeshare has evolved as the needs of Manchester’s most vulnerable people have changed over the past four decades. They started by providing food to rough sleepers from a burger van before pioneering sexual health support and needle exchanges for sex workers. The last decade has seen the charity at the forefront of the fightback against spice and leading the way in supporting young people with complex needs.
At the core is the belief that all people regardless of race, creed, sexuality, gender, age, level of ability or HIV status are entitled to respect and dignity and should be afforded equal opportunities.
established in 2012, is a small charity based in Braintree, Essex. Its aim is to help break the cycle of homelessness by providing support and advocacy for adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It is run by volunteers with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences who help with fundraising, bid writing, befriending those in need and anybody who wanting advice. It employs a full time manager and a part time book keeper to oversee the Hope House Community activities, local collaborations and day to day running of the charity.
Their mission is to provide a warm and welcoming space to enable people to get back on their feet. With personalised support and care, they ‘hold hands’ with people to navigate local services to a more settled and independent living. They actively promote a sense of security and self-worth and respect for the dignity of all.
The homeless in the area come from a wide range of backgrounds. The charity works with individuals who are sleeping rough, sleeping in a car with all of their belongings or “sofa-surfing”. They act as advocates for homeless people with services such as Local Authorities, Braintree District Council, probation, prison services, mental health services and many more.
Hope House Essex is entering a new chapter to better meet the needs of the most vulnerable in their community. In light of fundraising challenges, rising operational costs, and the current cost of living crisis, they have made the decision to sell their two properties. This change will allow them to adapt and focus efforts where they are needed most. The ‘Wednesday Evening Community Meal,’ which offers support and a warm meal to homeless and vulnerable individuals is a core service. The growing need for advice and support has inspired them to expand their reach in the area. To meet these needs, they have recently launched the Hope House Drop-In at Food and More in Braintree town centre. This new initiative will extend their presence in Braintree and enhance the support they provide to those in need. All their projects and services have the single aim of breaking the cycle of homelessness in and around Braintree