Click here to read the full press realise from Stagecoach Manchester. 

Steph, Reach Out to the Community stated: "We would like to sincerely thank the Manchester Homeless Partnership and especially Stagecoach for the generous £10,000 fund we have received. This funding will enable us to expand and enhance our outreach services across the suburbs of south Manchester, particularly during the cold winter months. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to support people experiencing homelessness and poverty in south Manchester, and this contribution will make a real difference in reaching those who need us most"

Accommodation Action Group
This action group held an insight session at the Booth Centre to understand women's experiences of using temporary accommodation in Manchester. Over 31 women with lived experience attended the event, and they had the opportunity to eat another tasty soup from the Booth Centre kitchen. Travel expenses were reimbursed and gift vouchers given to thank the women for attending and taking part. 
The feedback is currently being collated and written up and will be shared with next steps and recommendations. This action group is led by Justlife, Barnabus and the Booth Centre.

Employment Action Group
The guest speaker at the last action group meeting was Nick Sherburn, Chief Executive Officer from the charity, Engage Grow Go (EGG). Nick shared an introduction to the organisation, explained the support provided to people experiencing homelessness across Greater Manchester to help them into employment, and developments to strengthen this support. 
Action group members are keen to invite employers to the meetings to understand what opportunities are available for people experiencing homelessness and how we can work together. If you are interested in coming along, email val@macc.org.uk 
Organisations in attendance included, Smart Works, EGG, Department of Work and Pensions, the Growth Company, and Only a Pavement Away.

Homelessness and Migration Action Group
Members have agreed their terms of reference and are now focusing on their action plan for the year. This action group is led by the Boaz Trust, and current members include Greater Together Manchester, Mustard Tree and Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit. 

Real Change MCR Funding Panel
At the January funding panel meeting, a presentation was given by Vida Events. Vida Events is an organisation formed by second year management students from Manchester Metropolitan University who are planning a number of events to raise funding for Real Change MCR. The students are hiking and camping in the peak district to raise funds for their Murder Mystery event, with profits being donated to Real Change MCR. They are aiming to support their cause by combining outdoor adventure with community support. Any donations are greatly appreciated to help share the message further.

New Resources on Liver Disease & Cirrhosis
As presented at their latest Faculty meeting, and funded by NIHR, Dr Kate Pitt, Faculty for Inclusion Health member and GP in homeless and inclusion healthcare, Pathway has published practical, evidence-based guidance for frontline workers in the homeless sector who are supporting people with liver disease and cirrhosis. The guidance has been developed incorporating input from frontline workers, inclusion health clinicians, and liver specialists. 
Two versions of the guidance are provided on the Pathway website: 
- Practical illustrated booklet with hyperlinked contents. 
- Supporting document connecting recommendations to published evidence and guidance. 

Website: *NEW* Homelessness and Palliative Care
This new website hosts the Homelessness and Palliative Care toolkit, but also hosts the IMPROVE Community of Practice resources, the Homelessness and Palliative Care Network sessions and key other films and resources.

Podcast: Incorporating palliative care into homelessness services - Homeless Link
Palliative care is holistic support for people with advanced or life limiting illnesses, focusing on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. It addresses people’s physical, emotional, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural needs while also supporting families and carers. Palliative care can occur alongside active treatment. End-of-life care is a key part of palliative care and is for the final phase of life, usually when curative treatments have stopped, aiming to help individuals live as comfortably as possible and die with dignity. Click here to read further information and listen to the podcast.

Co-occurring mental health and substance use delivery framework
In case you missed it, the Government has recently published a delivery framework for co-occurring mental health and substance use to ensure that service provision is integrated and patient centred. The full framework can be accessed here.

Report: Hostile Housing - The Health Impacts of Housing for People Seeking Asylum - Migrants Organise and Medact
Co-authored by Migrants Organise and Medact, with research led by general practitioner and population health researcher Dr Joanna Dobbin, the report argues that the “for-profit model” is delivering an agenda of hostility and “containment over care” which is contributing to what researchers term “triple trauma”: trauma from conflict, trauma during migration, and trauma induced by Britain’s hostile asylum system. Read the full report here. 

Experiences of stigma and discrimination among people experiencing homelessness
The results of a recent research study which aims to understand the experiences of stigma and discrimination among adults experiencing homelessness across multiple care and support service contexts in South London has been published in the BMJ. The study concluded that unfair treatment was reported across multiple care and support systems with greater ill-health associated with more unfair treatment. To read about the study, click here.

Top Tips for Healthy Eyes
It’s easy to overlook your eyes when it comes to caring for your health, but there are simple things you can do every day to help keep your eyes in shape. Here are some easy ways to get started. You can also watch this useful video from the Association of Optometrists. 

Report: Homelessness in the Classroom - Shelter
Thousands of schoolchildren are growing up in temporary accommodation. This new report shows the heart-breaking effects that homelessness can have on children, as seen through the eyes of their teachers. But change is completely possible and the solutions are clear. Read the full report "Homelessness in the Classroom" from Shelter.

Impact on Urban Health’s new report is well worth a read for anyone supporting neurodivergent children in temporary accommodation. It sets out good practice for councils and housing officers, as well as practical guidance for parents on supporting neurodivergence in temporary accommodation.

Blog: The futures we are quietly breaking - Dr Lígia Teixeira, Centre for Homelessness Impact
Child homelessness is often discussed as a housing emergency. But Dr Ligia Teiceira has come to think that this framing risks overlooking what is most at stake. Read the full blog here. 

Here is a link to the Second National Analysis of Safeguarding Adult Reviews which was published in June 2025. Please take the time to read through the presentation.

Some key facts include:
- Individuals involved in the reviews were 10 per cent street homeless
- 2017 to 2019 there were 25 reviews involving homelessness
- 2019 to 2023 there were 88 reviews involving homelessness

The small rise in safeguarding adult reviews arose from concerns about the loss of progress following withdrawal of everyone in funding. 

There is a Homelessness Improvement Priority 16 - A whole system summit to develop partnership between national government and health, housing and
social care providers for services to address multiple exclusion homelessness.
Click here to read the Manchester Safeguarding Partnership February e-bulletin.
Click here to look at training available from the Manchester Safeguarding Partnership.

In December last year, people who went along to a Family Night held by the Boaz Trust, were asked what they wished more people understood about what it means to seek asylum.

The right to asylum is a human right and is enshrined in international law (Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 1951 Refugee Convention). It is not illegal for people to use this right. It is also recognised under the 1951 Refugee Convention that people fleeing persecution may use irregular means to reach safety. The fact that you must be physically in the UK in order to exercise your right to claim asylum means that most people fleeing war and persecution must risk their lives in the channel. The resettlement schemes the UK does offer are extremely limited, and with the suspension of Refugee Family Reunion last year, the number of safe routes to the UK are now even fewer. 

Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund
The Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund is now open from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - a £37 million, three‑year investment in voluntary, community and faith sector organisations across England. The fund puts communities at the heart of ending homelessness, supporting trusted, local services to prevent rough sleeping, strengthen day services and help people live independently. Open to VCFSE organisations (income up to £5m). Revenue and/or capital funding available. Applications open 23 February 2026. Deadline 31 March 2026. Full details in the prospectus.

Video: Homeless Link - Animation on simple steps to apply trauma-informed care in supported housing services
Check out the Homeless Link new animation on simple steps homelessness staff can take to apply trauma-informed care in supported housing services.

Law: Mental Health Act (Department for Health and Social Care)
The Mental Health Bill has received Royal Assent to modernise outdated mental health laws and improve care for seriously ill patients. It will reform the outdated Mental Health Act of 1983, which provides the legal framework to detain and treat people in a mental health crisis who are at risk of harm to themselves or others. Click here to read the press release.

Podcast: Racism and Homelessness (Homeless Link)
People of colour are disproportionately affected by homelessness. Systemic racism means that people of colour often face discrimination and barriers when it comes to securing adequate housing, well-paid employment, access to healthcare, and other support services. This podcast talks about what research tells us about the rates of homelessness amongst people of colour and how their experiences of homelessness may be different. The podcast goes onto discuss what an anti-racist homelessness system looks like in practice and how services can be more culturally competent and responsive the needs of diverse groups. Click here to listen to the podcast.

Policy Paper: Adult social care priorities for local authorities (Department for Health and Social Care)
The Government has published its three priorities for adult social care delivery during 2026/27. It focuses on providing high quality care, promotion of independence in care settings and focusing on joined up health and care services delivered at the neighbourhood level. Click here to read further information.

Report: Mapping Journeys Through Homelessness Report
Throughout 2025, the All in for Change Team completed its first ever peer-led research project with the ambition of mapping people’s experiences of homelessness in Scotland. The resulting report offers a rich picture of what it’s like to access and navigate services and the type of support that really makes a difference. ‘Mapping Journeys Through Homelessness’ sets out six themes uncovered through the research, as well as a Roadmap for Change which pinpoints key priorities to strengthen national and local plans and practice.

Report: Talking about homelessness: report highlights how everyday language perpetuates stigma - King's College and Centre for Homelessness Impact
This research from the King's College which was published in June 2025, underpinned the new Centre for Homelessness Impact report and guidance, highlighting how mindful use of everyday language can support efforts to end homelessness. The report, published by the Centre for Homelessness Impact, analyses how language and communication reinforce stigma associated with homelessness and offers evidence-based ways to write about or discuss homelessness in a non-stigmatising way.

Report: UK Poverty 2026 (Joseph Rowntree Foundation)
This report sets out the nature of poverty in the UK, and evaluates changes under the last Conservative-led Government. It also sets out the scale of action necessary for the current Government to deliver the change it has promised. Click here to read the report. 

Research: Empty homes: the complete solution or just part of the package? (Shelter) 
Empty homes: there are a lot of them, right? In the middle of a housing emergency, it’s indefensible that so many homes remain unoccupied, right? If we brought these all back into use, we’d solve the housing emergency, right? 
These are some frequently asked questions that we often hear about empty homes. Click here to read this insight and report from Shelter. 

Seeing the Whole Human Training - Manchester Dual Diagnosis Liaison Service and the Gaddum Centre
This free training is a new co-produced and delivered session available for community staff who support people, with co-occurring mental health and substance use (dual diagnosis), in the city of Manchester. All levels of experience are welcome. It will be delivered by Manchester Dual Diagnosis Liaison Service and the Gaddum Centre. The training will take place in West Didsbury. The location and full details will be given once the application has been accepted. It will be face to face and numbers are limited. We will be prioritising applicants from the date of application. The training will take place on 16 March from 10am to 4pm. Managers can nominate up to five people or people can apply individually. Click this link to apply.

Centre for Homelessness Impact - Images Bank
The Centre for Homelessness Impact has added more images to their online Images Bank, featuring more representative and realistic images of homelessness. These images aim to tackle the stigma and stereotypes that so often inform pictures of homelessness, and put those with lived experience behind the camera and in charge of how they are seen. All the incredible individuals involved have consented to join, and many have chosen to share some of their story, hopes, or what they have learned within captions that accompany their images. These images were created in partnership with Homewards, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales and Homelessness Partnership BCP. You can access this online resource here.

Sue’s Space and MASH Trauma Informed Best Practice Training
Join us for a half day session of lived experience insight, where we will take a deep dive into trauma informed best practices, focussing on what works, and what doesn’t, for women who have experienced trauma.
Register now and secure your spot here.
Training Overview
Develop your understanding of how to support people in a trauma-informed way, in an interactive and informal session that centres women’s experiences and insights. We will focus on:
– the links between experiences of trauma, people’s behaviour and their coping strategies.
– trauma-informed best practices and how they could be applied in your workplace.
Upcoming Training Dates
Thursday 2 April 9.30am–1pm (on Teams)
Thursday 4 June 12.30pm–4pm (on Teams)
Thursday 3 September 9.30–1pm (on Teams)
Who we are
We are MASH. We provide non-judgemental support for women in Greater Manchester who are sex working. Sue’s Space, MASH’s wingwoman, is a group of women who have been supported by MASH, who come together to make sure women’s voices are front and centre of everything MASH does.
“Having the lived experience from the facilitators is a breath of fresh air to usual training!”
“It was facilitated extremely well. A combination of evidence-based research and lived experience really brought the training to life and allowed people to engage well”
“This training is stand-out due to how is has been made and delivered by women with lived experience. No matter what any professional already knows, they will get something from this session. Listening to Col and G speak and be able to give so much context, insight and detailed explanation makes such the difference for other professionals' learning.”
For any queries please contact Lou Shaw – louises@mash.org.uk or on 07394 567060

Supporting communities into work: Bringing together VCFSE providers to share expertise
Date and Time: 2 March 2026 from 11am to 2pm. 
Venue: St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ.
Join Manchester Community Central and Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW) in an event to bring people together with experience of delivering work and skills contracts to highlight the key competencies they have needed and the barriers to delivery they have faced. The attendees will help shape future capacity building requirements and highlight issues that commissioners will need to address specific to employment support. Attendees will also be able to build connections with other providers in Greater Manchester and hear their experiences. Lunch will be provided and there will be themed table discussions. Click here to register for the event. 

Streetwise Opera - Re-imagining Figaro - On stage podcast
Over the last year, people with lived experience of homelessness have been working to co-create a 20-minute re-imagining of Mozart’s comic opera The Marriage of Figaro. They will be performing it at the Lyric Theatre in the Lowry on Saturday 14 March, from 4pm to 5pm. Re-imagining Figaro takes the form of an on-stage podcast exploring the subject of love, and features live music performed by the Orchestra of Opera North. The event also includes a 20-minute workshop on how to co-create an opera, which will get the audience moving and singing. Tickets are £5 and you can book here. 

Innovation and Impact: Making procurement work for VCFSE organisations
Free workshop for VCFSE organisations to build skills to navigate Manchester procurement, access contracts and raise awareness of challenges. This four-hour workshop aims to create space for voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to develop the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools needed to navigate local procurement processes and access contract opportunities across Manchester. This event is taking place on Thursday 26 March from 10am to 2pm at the St Thomas Centre, Ardwick, Manchester. Click here to read further information and book your place. 

Tell us how severe weather events affect you: Planning for Climate Change Together
Our weather is changing due to climate change, and this is causing more flooding, hotter days, wildfires and stronger storms. For example, in Greater Manchester, some neighbourhoods have experienced flooding after heavy rain, which has affected people’s homes and well-being. Also, we have experienced more severe heatwaves which can affect our health and well-being and cause wider impacts on travel and our economy. Greater Manchester Combined Authority is making a plan to help Greater Manchester cope with risks such as flooding and heatwaves, called the Greater Manchester Climate Resilience Strategy. This is to help us all stay safe and protect our homes and communities. You can share your experiences here. Closing date is the 4 March 2026.

Tenancy Fraud Campaign - Manchester City Council
Illegal subletting of social housing is tenancy fraud, and it’s harmful to your community. If you know or suspect someone committing tenancy fraud,
you can tell Manchester City Council in confidence. Other families need homes.
Click here to read and share the What is Tenancy Fraud leaflet.  Please use and share this information through your channels and platforms.

#EndDestitution campaign: Dignity for all Greater Manchester residents - Migrant Destitution Fund
"We are human like you: hear us"
No matter where we come from, we all have the right to live with dignity as members of our society, free to support ourselves and access an essential safety net when we need it. But today, thousands of people across our city region are forced into destitution, denied the right to work or access welfare - solely because of where they have come from. This exclusion forces people into lives of extreme poverty in our midst, with negative impacts on physical and mental health. Because people are forced to live in the shadows, we don’t even know the scale. The government’s latest plans threaten to force yet more people in our communities into destitution. Join the campaign by signing the pledge now, or find out other ways to get involved.

Head of Fundraising - Barnabus
Full time - Permanent (following probation period), £38,000 to £40,000 per year. Click here to read further information and how to apply. 

Housing Support Worker - Barnabus
Full time, 37.5 hours, £26,227 - £28,010 p.a. depending on expertise. Click here to read further information and how to apply.

Support Workers- Refugee Homelessness Prevention Project - Boaz Trust
37.5 hours a week, one year contract, £26,330 (Boaz Band E, Point 9), with the possibility of a cost of living/inflationary increase from 1 April 2026. Click here to read further information and how to apply.  Closing date 12pm on Tuesday 10 March 2026.

The State of the Sector survey launched on 26 January, and all VCFSE organisations across Greater Manchester are invited to take part. Everyone who completes it will receive an Individualized Insights Report, benchmarking your organisation with others across Greater Manchester. This survey underpins the first State of the Sector research in five years, led by Greater Manchester’s Local Infrastructure Organisations with Nottingham Trent University. It will show the size, diversity, and impact of our sector, and inform future policy and funding.
Click here to take part in the survey. 

E-bulletins

Manchester Community Central - Training News - 11 February 2026

Manchester City Council - Work and Skills e-bulletin - 23 February

Boaz Trust - February update

Manchester City Council - Social Value Update - February 2026

Greater Manchester Moving - February newsletter

Cracking Good Food - February e-bulletin 

Manchester Active Voice - Issue 126 Issue 127

News

The Big Issue - Homeless people were given £2,000, no strings attached. Here’s what they spent the money on - 30 December 2025

The Big Issue - Homelessness facts and statistics: The numbers you need to know in 2026 - 2 January 2026

Manchester Evening News - Andy Burnham to give homeless kids school bus passes in massive Manchester Evening News campaign win - 6 February 2026

Here you can find advice, information and support if you are homeless in Manchester. Here is a list of voluntary and community organisations working across the city to help and support people and families experiencing homelessness. You can report a person sleeping rough via Streetlink and connect them with local support services.

Real Change MCR is a fund to help people experiencing homelessness in Manchester pay for practical items that they need to build lives away from the streets. The fund is used by Manchester homelessness organisations and charities who provide long-term support on the journey to independent living.
Acts of kindness and generosity have been shown to have positive effects on both mental and physical health. What can you do today to help raise funding for Real Change MCR?