Street Support was set up in Manchester in October 2015 to act as a central hub for charities and voluntary groups offering support to homeless people in the city and to help them gain access to the services, advice and any other things they might need. Street Support’s services respond to the vision put forward in the Manchester Homelessness Charter and are designed to guide effective giving that responds to individuals’ and organisations’ current needs.
The Find Help section of their website directs homeless people to advice services, accommodation, drop-ins, meals, personal items, medical services, food banks, communications, training, employment and activities. The organisations who provide these services often publish callouts for help.
Although largely aimed at organisations, individuals can adopt the charter and pledge to help tackle homelessness in Manchester on Street Support’s website in smaller but equally valuable ways. As well as donating money through the Big Change Fund, a JustGiving fund which targets specific needs and aids effective giving, you can get involved by volunteering your skills, time or any items you may have for donation on their Give Help page, which hosts requests for donations of all kinds, ranging from admin tasks to DIY skills. You can also suggest other items you may have for donation which you think may be useful, so that organisations can get in touch if they are interested in your offer.
To gain a better understanding of the work Street Support do, and how you can help to make a difference, take a look at their website and see what other pledges individuals have made to help make the Charter’s vision a reality.