Together, we can end homelessness.
A safe, secure, affordable place to call home should be accessible to all. But for too many, this can seem an unattainable luxury. Those at the very sharpest end of the housing and homelessness crisis endure unimaginable nights on the streets of Greater Manchester, and the consequences can be fatal.
No one should have to spend a night on the streets, especially not during the cold and dark winter months.
This Christmas, we have partnered once again with Stockport-based finance specialists Together, to bring back our annual winter campaign. 1,000 beds for Christmas aims to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of or experiencing homelessness as part of the pioneering A Bed Every Night initiative. This scheme works in partnership across the city-region, designed to help get people off the streets and back on their feet, providing food, shelter, warmth and vital wrap around support to kickstart that journey to stability.
What’s more, it works: since it’s in 2017, rough sleeping has reduced by 45%.
The success of the scheme is a testament to the solidarity and community spirit of Greater Manchester, from the partnerships that deliver the scheme to the generosity of the people and businesses of the region who offer additional support.
But the outlook is challenging. A lack of genuinely affordable housing alongside sustained higher costs of living and changes in the speed at which people move through the asylum system are all contributing to higher levels of homelessness and rough sleeping.
A Bed Every Night is a vital component to region-wide efforts to truly end homelessness, sitting at the coalface of the homelessness crisis. It is a critical, life-saving part of provision over Winter, and an initiative we know Greater Manchester are proud to stand behind.
Last year, our ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’ campaign raised over £55,000 providing 1,800 nights of accommodation through a mix of public and private donations. With our 2024 edition already over halfway to target, your support is needed more than ever before.
Together have committed to match-funding the first £20,000 of donations for the third year running, showcasing an incredible commitment to our collective mission to end homelessness. But they’ve not stopped there.
The streets of Manchester City Centre were full of yellow runners earlier in November as the 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness returned for its 6th year. With over 1,000 unique runners taking part, Together matched the first £20,000 of public donations bringing the final total to over £53,000 – more than doubling the previous 5 years of fundraising!
The support of Together amplifies the impact of each and every person who gets involved in these fundraising campaigns and helps ensure we can continue to be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline.
“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.”
“Winter is a particularly difficult time for those who do not have somewhere safe to call home. A Bed Every Night is an incredible initiative, providing crucial help and support to those who face exclusion from existing services, and prevent rough sleeping for those at a point of transition in their lives.
Supporting our community is an inherent part of our culture and heritage. I am proud that for the third year, Together is match-funding this campaign and continuing to work with Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity in its mission to end the need for rough sleeping and tackle homelessness in Greater Manchester.”
“Homelessness and rough sleeping are not inevitable. We can fix this, and we can see real and lasting change if we are able to secure safe, affordable housing for all. But alongside this, we need meaningful support for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and continued investment into the services that provide it. The generosity of people and businesses in Greater Manchester means we can be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline, and A Bed Every Night is a critical part of that.
We are incredibly grateful to Together for their continued support, from the Winter campaign to the 24 Hour Run, our fundraisers go so much further because of their matched funding.
We are seeing our winter campaign growing from strength to strength, and we are so thankful to everyone who digs deep and donates. This is how we shift the dial and move to ending homelessness. ”
Help us beat our target this Christmas. You can be part of something life-changing.
Alongside generous support from Together, this campaign is made possible by the creative support of Simpatica Group, and Adam Richardson.