Manchester Homelessness Partnership Newsletter: February 2023

Welcome to the Manchester Homelessness Partnership’s February newsletter!

February 2023

In this newsletter….

Action Groups

  • Women’s Homelessness Involvement Group – Monthly Memo
  • March Action Group Meetings

Spotlight on … Migrant Destitution Fund
Funding, Resources and Events
Have your say on the MHP newsletter

Action Group updates

Women’s Homelessness Involvement Group (WHIG) Monthly Memo January 2023 – Street Support News

Our Women’s Homelessness Involvement Group have launched their first Monthly Memo! Check back here for updates on events, groups and opportunities for women experiencing homelessness. If you would like to share something on this memo or would like to know how to get involved, please email womencochairs@gmail.com

March Action Group Meetings:

Our Action Groups are open to anyone who shares our goal of ending homelessness – please contact us if you’d like to come along, and share with your networks and anyone you think might be interested.

  • Coproduction Action Group – date TBC – email harris@boothcentre.org.uk to join
  • Employment Action Group – Thursday 9th March, 1:30pm @ Booth Centre – email Chris.Gopal@bitc.org.uk to join.
  • Migrant Destitution Action Group – Monday 6th March,10:30am @ Equal Education Chances – email info@migrantdestitution.co.uk to join.
  • Non-UK Nationals Action Group – Monday 13th March, 12:30pm @ Booth Centre – email alix@boothcentre.org.uk to join.
  • Prevention Action Group – Monday 13th March, 1:30pm @ Mustard Tree – email gareth.clarke@manchester.gov.uk to join.
  • Women’s Homelessness Involvement Group – Wednesday 22nd March, 9:45am @ Pankhurst Centre – email womencochairs@gmail.com to join.

Spotlight on … Migrant Destitution Fund

Aim: The Migrant Destitution Fund supports those forced into destitution because of their immigration status, who are not entitled to work or access benefits. By providing monthly cash grants, the fund improves health and wellbeing and restores dignity.

History: The Migrant Destitution Fund began as a part of the Manchester Homelessness Partnership in 2017, when key action group members with lived experience of destitution emphasised the benefits of cash grants in mitigating destitution. Although the Fund has since expanded across Greater Manchester, it maintains ties to the MHP.

Get involved: Unfortunately, the fund is now paused due to a shortage of funds. Please donate if you can, and share the donation page to help reopen this crucial lifeline and restore dignity to some of the most marginalised in our society.

Read more stories of how the Fund has transformed people’s lives here: https://www.migrantdestitution.co.uk/stories

This month we attended the Migrant Destitution Fund’s networking lunch – referral partners got together to discuss how they can work together to strengthen their work with assisting people facing destitution, as well as work collectively to overcome individual organisational challenges.

Funding, Resources & Events

The Charity Service Grant Fund: Preventing Homelessness
Applications can be submitted at any time

Applications for grant funding are invited from registered charities, community groups and voluntary organisations working to assist individuals who are disadvantaged, sick, have a disability and/or are living in poverty within Greater Manchester. The priorities are: preventing homelessness, reducing social isolation, and support for vulnerable families and children. For more information, email pete.yarwood@charityservice.org.uk  and apply here.

Booth Centre: Spring Sleepover for World Sleep Day
Friday 17th March, 7:30pm @ Booth Centre

Join the Booth Centre this World Sleep Day to raise vital funds and awareness to support people who are homeless in our community. Settle down overnight on the cold floor of the Booth Centre terrace and cafe. If you’re lucky, you might find a space undercover, others will be more open to the elements. Find out more and sign up here. 

Have your say on our newsletter!

Want to contribute to the MHP newsletter? Send over any events, resources or funding opportunities that we can share with the network, to help us in our aim of tackling homelessness in Manchester. We welcome constructive (and positive) feedback too! Drop us an email on zainab@macc.org.uk.