You can read the full version of the e-bulletin here.

An update.... apologies
Please note the figures shared in the Shared Health Foundation article in the December 2024 e-bulletin around child deaths in temporary accommodation were national and not local Manchester figures. My apologies for any confusion this may have caused.

New data uncovers that 80 children in the UK have died in temporary accommodation in one year.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Households in Temporary Accommodation announced on 28 January 2025, that out of the 3,605 child deaths in England, 80 have died while living in temporary accommodation.
These numbers were obtained from the National Child Mortality Database between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024, accounting for 3 per cent of the total number of child deaths during this period. The deaths reported account for all causes of mortality, yet the total number is significant as this is the first time this data has been collected in England. This has been due to the collaborative work from the APPG, its co-secretariats and the NCMD.
Between 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2024, 74 children have died with temporary accommodation as a contributing factor to their vulnerability, ill-health, or death. Of these 74 children, 58 were under the age of 1.
You can read the full report here - Child Mortality in Temporary Accommodation 2025 and read the news article featured on the BBC News.

The Shared Health Foundation and Justlife are co-secretariats of this All-Party Parliamentary Groups for Households in Temporary Accommodation. It is is a cross-party group of MPs and Members of the House of Lords. It is committed to improving the health, lives and experiences of families and single adults living in temporary accommodation across England. Both organisations are part of Manchester Homelessness Partnership.

Our Action Groups and ongoing work
Employment Action Group
The Employment Action Group met at the start of the month and welcomed Steven Barkess, Partnership Manager (West Midlands & North West) from Homeless Link to the meeting. It was an opportunity to share details of the work taking place and the barriers people experiencing homelessness are facing in gaining employment.
Action group members are from a range of organisations, including EGG, Works and Skills Team - Manchester City Council, Caritas Cornerstone, Department of Work and Pensions, Standing Tall, Depaul UK, Centrepoint and the Growth Company and they are all working with and supporting people experiencing homelessness into employment, training and education.
The Action Group meet monthly and it is an opportunity for peer support, sharing of information about events, skills and training, and networking. We are sad to see Chris, Radical Recruit leave the action group and he was thanked for his time and support. If you are interested in joining the Employment Action Group, or would like to attend a meeting, please email info@mhp.org.uk

Prevention Action Group – A Message from Louise
After improving her emotional wellbeing, addressing money worries and completing a work placement, Louise would like to share her story about her time on the Freedom Project. You can read her story here.
Mustard Tree and Back on Track are both members of the Prevention Action Group.

Activities and Wellbeing Action Group
A big thank you to Withington Baths for their trainers/football boots and sportswear donation for people participating in sports activities across the city. Their donation has been shared amongst members of the Activities and Wellbeing Group. If your staff or organisation are interested in making a donation, please email info@mhp.org.uk

Health and Homelessness
Urban Village Medical Practice (UVMP) – Health and Homeless Team
Did you know that UVMP holds an enhanced contract for Sexual Health? They are also the designated Women’s Health Hub for Manchester. Homeless patients who see their nurses on outreach at Booth Centre, Barnabus, Cornerstone and hostels can access sexual health services. They do not need to be registered with the practice. All registered patients can additionally access sexual health services at the practice. The nurse seeing the patient will make a plan as to how any results will be relayed to them and if required discuss appropriate routes for treatment which may be via UVMP, their own GP or specialist sexual health services.
The practice holds family planning clinics every Monday and Wednesday and is available for any woman with a Manchester address and Manchester GP. Furthermore, their nurse Liz can deliver the same services in the outreach van for homeless women. This includes coils, contraceptive implants and oral contraceptives as well as general contraceptive advice. Liz is also able to offer this in her clinics at the practice. UVMP would encourage professionals to contact the Homeless Team to discuss any women, regardless of whether they are registered with Urban Village Medical Practice, who have contraception related needs.

Nitazenes – Change Grow Live
Nitazenes are made in labs and mimic the effects of natural opioids such as heroin. They are often hundreds of times stronger than heroin and at least as potent as fentanyl. Nitazenes have been found in heroin but also in other drugs such as benzos. They are known to have led to accidental overdoses and deaths of people across the country.
To help keep yourself and others safe:
– Be aware that drugs may look the same, even if they are contaminated with nitazenes.
– Be extra cautious about the sources you get your drugs from, and about the drugs you are taking.
– Ask for nitazene testing strips from your nearest Change Grow Live service or use the testing service available at www.wedinos.org.
Always carry naloxone, it could save someone’s life. For more information about nitazenes, visit the Change Grow Live website.

Report: Hard to connect: exploring digital exclusion for those seeking asylum and refugees from Emma Cook, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, British Red Cross.

Report: NACCOM and the Good Faith Partnership
“Treat us like humans” was the resounding plea from this recent piece of research by NACCOM and the Good Faith Partnership. Based on three focus groups held between July to October 2024, the report amplifies the voices of 30 people with lived experience of the asylum system. The report points to systemic failings in the current model of asylum support and accommodation that undermines the dignity and wellbeing of people seeking asylum. Find out more and read the full report here.

GMIAU eVisa Support Sessions
From 9 January 2025, GMIAU is offering free support sessions to help people to access their eVisa. Sessions every Thursday until 27 March 2025, between 10am to 3pm at their office – 1 Delaunays Road, Crumpsall, M8 4QS. If you or someone you are working with would like to attend, they can contact Nicola Burgess by email to nicola@gmiau.org or just attend one of the sessions. They are able to assist anyone who requires support with the process.