One of the most challenging and complex issues for many cities is homelessness and many people are concerned about the rough sleeping that they see on the streets today. CityCo and Manchester’s Business Improvement District are therefore supporting Manchester’s Homelessness Partnership and Street Support.
Street Support is a network of housing associations, voluntary groups, charities and businesses that have pledged support for Manchester’s Homelessness Charter and are working together to promote alternative ways of giving, to help the city’s homeless.
Give differently is the motto that all the partners working to end homelessness are endorsing.
Together we are offering Manchester residents and businesses the opportunity to channel their goodwill into effective action that will help people to get-off, and crucially stay-off, the streets for the long-term.
We are asking CityCo and BID members to take the time to learn more about the work of the network, and share the city’s vision to tackle the issue with colleagues, staff and customers.
Help to share the Give Differently message
The Big Change MCR campaign is an independent initiative and we are encouraging the whole business community to raise awareness of alternative giving as means of channeling support where it’s needed most.
The Street Support website and APP (just search Street Support on Apple Store or GooglePlay) is an easy information resource that allows people to donate money directly into a special fund, pledge support and volunteer. The voluntary sector also post what they need to help people, and the website lists the range of services in Manchester that exist for people experiencing homelessness.
To help to raise awareness you can:
• Direct people to the Street Support website for information and resources: streetsupport.net
• Talk to your staff about the campaign in team briefings, meetings and forums
• Share the #bigchangeMCR message on Social Media
• Display the Big Change MCR posters across your stores, venues, offices and staff rooms. Download the printable posters here
Donate
The Big Change Campaign enables members of the public to donate directly to a fund to help homeless people. It is accessed by organisations and charities working directly with the homeless, by allowing them to access funds which will support them to build a life away from the streets and to identify what they need to build a new life. This can be anything from education and training courses, clothes for interviews, deposits for a tenancy or even furnishings for a new home. The fund has already helped more than 100 people.
Volunteer Time and Skills
Businesses and individuals can also volunteer time or skills to support organisations working with people who are homeless, and can donate items people actually need directly to charities, who are working directly with people who need support.
Corporate Fundraising and Work Placements
Businesses are also encouraged to help through corporate fund-raising, or by offering work placements – which could ultimately offer people a stepping stone as they seek to gain confidence and experience in the job market, so that they can move on with their lives.
Useful Links
Practical support tools are being published on the Street Support site including:
15 things you can do to help someone who is homeless in Manchester
How to start a conversation with someone who is homeless
How Manchester businesses and organisations can help
More information
Please go to streetsupport.net
If you are a CityCo or BID member and have more questions about how your business can help, please email Alex King.
