Those on the frontline of helping the homeless community have been furnished with more than £350,000 since lockdown began.
The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity has helped 30 charities to safeguard the health and wellbeing of people across the region living without a home over the last nine weeks.
Essential items such as food parcels, toiletries, hygiene packages and technological equipment have also been distributed thanks to funds, donated by businesses and individuals.
Charity workers are now looking past emergency provision - such as safe accommodation during lockdown - to the next phase.
The aim is to support organisations working in the homelessness sector to move from a state of emergency response into the “living with Covid” phase.
Schemes or projects that provide innovative solutions to a gap in this provision are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £50,000.
Tim Heatley, chair of the charity’s board of trustees, says people in the voluntary, community and faith sectors have worked flat out over the last few weeks.
“Across Greater Manchester we’re continuing to feel the impact of the crisis, and we all have a responsibility to help and support the many vulnerable people across the city region, especially those experiencing homelessness who are suffering more than most,” he says.
“The impact these funds have had on essential frontline charities and the vulnerable people they support is indescribable and our hope is that they will have an impact not only with regards to the immediate need but in the long term.”
“Right now, the majority of those experiencing homelessness across Greater Manchester are in self-isolation accommodation – these essential funds give us an opportunity to change things in the long term. With the generosity of those living in Greater Manchester, and the support of its business community, we may be able to end rough sleeping across our city-region all together.”
After announcing its COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund just nine weeks ago, the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity has given more than £350,000 to frontline charities across the city region.
Ruth Cox is regional operations manager (North) at the charity Just Life.
“We are delighted to receive funding from the GM Mayor’s Charity to increase our staff capacity at a time when the hidden homeless community living in unsupported temporary accommodation across Greater Manchester need our help the most,” she says.
David Bond, grants manager at Mustard Tree, says the finding has really helped the charity.
“This funding is enabling us to stay open safely, and provide our usual warm welcome, offering people in a crisis access to emergency support and food,” he says.
After three phases of funding addressing immediate emergency provision, the fourth phase of the Emergency Response Fund from Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity was launched on June 3.
The charity is looking specifically for schemes or projects that provide innovative solutions to a gap in provision within this challenging transitional time.
Applications are for projects up to a maximum of £50,000 per organisation.
To view the application form visit www.gmmayorscharity or contact the charity with any queries at enquiries@gmmayorscharity.co.uk
