Last week, Manchester Homelessness Partnership (MHP) held our annual event, bringing partners together to celebrate the progress made through the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy over the past three years, while gathering feedback and learning to help shape the development of the new strategy. 
More than 40 people from 28 different organisations came together at Citylabs and took part in a range of interactive exercises throughout the afternoon. It was a valuable opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved, share learning and experiences, and consider what needs to happen next.
Thank you to Bruntwood for generously donating the room space at Citylabs.
This was our second engagement event held in partnership with Manchester City Council. The week before, more than 35 frontline workers came together at Central Hall, Manchester, to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relating to accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness.
Alongside these events, more than 200 people experiencing homelessness and living in supported accommodation have completed surveys. Targeted focus groups are also taking place with VCFSE organisations to explore specific areas in more depth.
Thank you to Eleanor Smith, Manchester City Council, John Ryan, Shelter, Neil Cornthwaite, Barnabus and Jack Barton, Mustard Tree for their contributions to the events and for helping to facilitate the discussions.
We’d also like to thank Cracking Good Food and Sofra for providing the catering, which was very much enjoyed by everyone!
The engagement work is continuing, alongside the development of a Health and Homelessness Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) with partners from across the city. Lived experience continues to be central to this work. Insights and learning gathered throughout the year through the various MHP action groups have been shared to help inform and influence the development of the new strategy. 
"It was a great event and I learnt a lot from the people on my table just for starters"

35 frontline workers attended a session held at Central Hall, Oldham Street to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for support for people in accommodation and support for people moving into new accommodation or more-settled accommodation. Lunch was provided and attendees took the opportunity to network with each other, share their learned experiences and develop relationships.
“Fantastic frontline workers session to inform the Manchester homelessness and rough sleeping strategy. At today’s event each table discussed the barriers and positives of what people face when in accommodation. Lots of great input from everyone”
The feedback collated from the SWOT exercises is being written up and themed to inform the development of the new homelessness and rough sleeping strategy. This will be shared with all attendees and with the MHP Temporary Accommodation Action Group.

During September we held two conversation and information sessions in partnership with Manchester City Council, NHS and Greater Manchester Police. 

The first online conversation was with mental health commissioners to share feedback and information to inform and influence the development of a service for people with overlapping complex needs, mental health and homelessness. 5 organisations were represented and other members have also attended a market engagement event to share feedback and information. 

The second online information session was held in partnership with Greater Manchester Police on the theme "Right Care Right Person" programme. 11 organisations were represented and the slides from the session will be shared shortly. 

Urban Village Medical Practice - Homeless Health Service Annual Report 2025
Urban Village Medical Practice has highlighted their aspirations for the coming years to build on our successes and seek further integration to support our local systems, partners and patients in bringing an end to rough sleeping. They feel that this cannot be achieved without recognising and responding to the health needs of this population. They welcome any discussions as to how we can work together to achieve these shared goals. Click here to read the report. 

Vision Care - Appointment Portal
Click here to book your service users into eye test appointments at Cornerstone Day Centre. 

Healthy Hydration: The Importance of Drinking Water to Public Health - Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)
This latest report has revealed that taste, cost and convenience are driving the UK’s hydration habits:
💧 Just over half consider how a drink affects their health when making choices.
🚰 22 per cent of people say they do not have easy access to clean or filtered tap water.
🙅 6 per cent of people report drinking no water at all on a typical day.
⛲️ Less than one in five have easy access to public drinking fountains.
Healthy hydration is one of the foundations of good health, yet it receives far less attention that other public health priorities. Coordinated action is needed from government, public services, employers, retailers and industry to make the healthiest choice the easiest choice. RSPH is calling for a new Food and Drink Bill to improve access to free drinking water across the UK. Access to public drinking fountains/stations is vital for people experiencing homelessness during hot weather. 

K-HOLE: The ketamine documentary is out now 🎬
K-HOLE explores ketamine addiction and use, ketamine bladder damage, trauma, recovery, treatment and the impact ketamine is having on individuals, families and communities. Watch the full documentary and access information on ketamine support, harm reduction and campaign resources here.
Produced by Inspired Youth in partnership with Believe in People Podcast - hosted by ReNew, the Change Grow Live (GCL) drug and alcohol service based in Hull.

Changes to mental health services in Manchester 
This link explains a change to how Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust work together to support people who use mental health services in Manchester.

Report: Study of Neurodivergent People's Experiences of Homelessness
A new NDTi report explores the experiences of neurodivergent people experiencing homelessness, highlighting how systems can exclude people and offering recommendations for services. Increasingly across the homelessness sector, conversations around how to support, and the experiences of, neurodivergent individuals are becoming key to how we think about improving outcomes. In a recently published report, the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) team have looked at neurodivergent people’s experience of homelessness to further understand these intersections. The report highlights key experiences that shape someone’s pathway and relationship, from diagnosis, or lack thereof, and how this can foster ambiguity, and how clients can be excluded at multiple junctures in their lives, from school to employment, due to neurodevelopmental difference. To read the full report click here.

Temporary Accommodation Notification Duty
The Temporary Accommodation Notification Duty became law on the 1 September 2026. Guidance and funding allocations for the temporary accommodation notification duty can be read here. 
This legislative change is the result of tireless campaigning by the Shared Health Foundation and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Households in Temporary Accommodation, who have long highlighted that children experiencing homelessness are often invisible within statutory systems. The Temporary Accommodation Notification Duty marks a significant step forward in ensuring that no child living in temporary accommodation slips through the cracks of support.
To help education teams, GP practices, health visitors, and housing teams implement this duty confidently and consistently, Shared Health Foundation has developed a free webinar training package, available on their website.
The training provides:
- A clear explanation of the Temporary Accommodation Notification Duty
- Practical guidance on what to do when a notification is received
- Sector‑specific minimum response pathways
- Real‑world examples of good practice
- Downloadable tools and templates to support implementation

Practical Guide: Engaging Families in Lived Experience Participation Guidance - Justlife
Justlife has shared the first in a new series of practical guides: Engaging Families in Lived Experience Participation Guidance. While lived experience is increasingly recognised as vital to improving services and decision-making, far less has been said about meaningfully involving families. This guide will help you to: 
- Understand the barriers families may face, including childcare, housing instability, travel and safety concerns.
- Plan flexible and accessible participation around families’ needs, routines and circumstances.
- Create welcoming, family-friendly spaces where children can remain close or participate meaningfully.
Click here to read the practical guide.

Article: Why we need to count homeless college students - FE Week and Centre for Homelessness Impact
Nobody knows how many FE students are homeless. That needs to change. Click here to read the full article. 

Every care leaver to have someone in their corner after review - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
£25 million investment to help thousands more care leavers access homes with support and connection. Thousands more young people leaving care will have people around them when they move into adulthood, as the government begins the national roll-out of a strengthened housing programme backed by £25 million this year alone. The programme will grow high quality and innovative housing models that build connection around those leaving care. Click here to read the full press release.

Review of early deaths of care leavers - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
A report of the independent review of deaths among care-experienced young adults in England has been published. It examines all care leaver death notifications in 2025, identifying key themes and selecting representative young people for more detailed exploration. The report presents the stories of 6 young people, ages 18 to 24, whose circumstances illustrate the main themes and patterns identified through the review. Click here to read the report. 

Report launch on refugee homelessness 
NACCOM and Homeless Link are launching a new report examining why refugees become homeless after being granted status in the UK, drawing on lived experience and conversations with local authorities and voluntary sector organisations. Join the free online launch webinar on Wednesday 23 September, 2pm to 3pm, to hear about the report's findings, recommendations and examples of good practice. Register here.

Concerns over food in asylum hotels 
New research by Sufra and the SALIENT Consortium explores the reality of food provision in asylum hotels and its impact on people seeking asylum. Based on the experiences of  asylum seekers living in contingency hotels, alongside insights from frontline Sufra staff, the report highlights serious concerns around diet and food access. 

Stronger Together: Inter Faith Week 
Together With Refugees and Inter Faith Week are partnering from 8 to 15 November to celebrate the friendships and connections across faiths and communities created through refugee welcome. Organisations and communities are invited to get involved by downloading the toolkit, which includes ideas and resources for activities such as shared meals, walks and creating a wall of connection.

Manchester Safeguarding Partnership
Manchester Safeguarding Partnership offers safeguarding training on children and adults. 

Analysis: Public attitudes towards immigration 
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a new analysis of public attitudes towards immigration in Britain, examining levels of concern about immigration and how views have changed over time. The research provides useful context for organisations working with refugees and people seeking asylum, particularly as immigration continues to be a prominent issue in public and political debate.

Article: Racism can increase the risk of homelessness and affect how people experience housing and homelessness services.
This new article from St Martins-in-the-Field explores these inequalities, the barriers that can make it harder to access help, and why trust matters. It also features insights from Mutsa Mhende, Racial Justice Practitioner at National Ugly Mugs, who spoke at our 2026 Frontline Network Annual Conference. Click here to read the article.

Blog: Summer is a long time in homelessness - Homeless Link
The summer is usually a quieter time in the political calendar, with Parliament on recess and no new policy announcements, white papers or legislation coming our way. But this year it’s been one of the most eventful periods of the year for the homelessness sector, featuring a new Prime Minister, a big Cabinet reshuffle, and some significant announcements relating to homelessness. In this blog Homeless Link has pulled together some information about recent political developments, what Homeless Link is doing to influence them, and what their members can do too.

Book: How to Use Evidence to End Homelessness - For Smarter, More Impactful Action
Click here to read this new book from the Centre for Homelessness Impact. 

Data: Rough sleeping data framework, April to June 2026 - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Data information to understand how far rough sleeping is prevented wherever possible, and where it does occur, if it is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Click here to access the data. 

Essay: This much we know....
Homelessness will only end if we prevent it. While that may sound obvious, it's not what our system is currently built to do. In the second essay in the series on Matt Downie MBE's substack, Suzanne Fitzpatrick and Peter Mackie from Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) apply the five-stage homelessness prevention framework they helped develop.

Podcast: Shared Health Foundation - Hope in the Deep
The new Hope in the Deep Podcast episode  from Shared Health Foundation discusses the Temporary Accommodation Notification Duty and the guidance they have released on it. You can also watch the video here.

Greater Manchester GM Trends (Testing and Research on Emergent and New Drug Trends
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has commissioned Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to monitor emerging substance use trends and changes in drug markets across Greater Manchester. Their multi-method GM TRENDS research approach has never been adopted before in the UK. The findings of this latest report will inform the work of the established Greater Manchester Local Drugs Information System (LDIS), identify at risk groups in our communities, and provide recommendations on service development, harm reduction, and wider training and awareness raising.

Report: State of Ageing Spotlight: Older LGBTQ+ people
This State of Ageing Spotlight report addresses the invisibility of older LGBTQ+ people in our data and in discussions about our ageing population. The number and percentage of older LGB+ people in England has increased significantly over the last ten years, and numbers of older LGBTQ+ people are set to increase further. Many older LGBTQ+ people have played a vital role in social justice movements, yet they often remain overlooked in policy and practice as they age. This spotlight examines the inequalities they can face in later life — across housing, work, finances, health, care and community connections — indicates how these experiences are shaped by decades of discrimination, and sets out recommendations for policy and practice.

Report: England's Day Services Research Report 
New research commissioned by Housing Justice explores the role, impact and future of faith and community homelessness day services across England. Click here to read the report. 

Report: The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
New LSE research has identified how community-based, multi-agency hubs can help prevent homelessness, reduce isolation and improve outcomes for lone-parent families facing housing insecurity. The LSE report was produced for Homewards Lambeth, one of six UK locations that form Homewards – the ambitious five-year programme launched by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2023 to demonstrate that it is possible to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated. 

GMMH Trauma Informed Care Special Interest Day
Greater Manchester NHS Foundation Trust Trauma-Informed Care Special Interest Day will be held virtually on Friday 4 December 2026, from 9.30am to 1pm. The event is free to attend and open to anyone with an interest in trauma-informed care, including members of the public, people with lived experience, and those working across health, care, and community settings. The theme of this year’s event, ‘Lived Experience / Expert by Experience’, highlights the importance of meaningful, person-centred engagement. It encourages us to reflect on and centre our interactions around the simple yet powerful question, “How are you, and what matters to you today?”, guiding how we connect with one another across services, communities and everyday life. The event will feature a range of expert speakers, bringing together a wealth of insight and lived experience, including:
- Kirsty Galloway – Yellow Beacon
- Rose Smith and Emma Allen – Perinatal Services / EDI Lead
- The Big Life Group
- Peter Bullimore – National Paranoia Network
 - Louise Shaw – Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH)
- Dan Stears – Lived Experience Network and Kieran Jones Peer Support Co-ordinator.
- Lucy Burtham – NHS Trust Peer Support Lead
- Wendy Broderick and Abigail Holland – Neighbourhood Mental Health Services
This event represents an important opportunity to strengthen understanding, share best practice, and further embed trauma-informed approaches across services. To register your place, please follow the booking link: GMMH Trauma Informed Care Special Interest Day  – Fill in form. 

In person Training Course: Walking Alongside Mothers: Understanding Trauma, Loss and Recovery After Child Removal - Manchester Safeguarding Partnership
When a child is removed from their mother's care, the impact can be profound and long-lasting. Practitioners play a critical role in supporting mothers through experiences of grief, trauma, shame and loss while promoting engagement with services and recovery. This training programme will equip practitioners with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by mothers following child removal and provide practical, trauma-informed approaches to support them effectively.
Participants will learn to:
✅ Understand the factors contributing to child removal and its impact on mothers.
✅ Recognise and respond to complex grief, shame and trauma.
✅ Identify and challenge unconscious bias in professional decision-making.
✅ Understand the impact of domestic abuse and coercive control on maternal identity.
✅ Develop trauma-informed approaches that support recovery, resilience and engagement with services.
Who should attend?
This programme is suitable for professionals working across safeguarding, children's services, family support, health, education, and partner agencies who engage with families affected by child removal.
By strengthening understanding and reflective practice, this training supports more compassionate, effective and trauma-informed responses for mothers and families.
Date/Time: Monday 12 October 2026 from 9.15am to 4:00pm.
Venue: Hough End Centre - Mauldeth Road West, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 7SX
Book your place here and enhance your safeguarding practice through a deeper understanding of trauma, loss and recovery.

Pathway Masterclass: Understanding the Missing Links: Integrated Health and Social Care for People Experiencing Homelessness 
What do 20 years of patient records, four case study areas and the voices of people with lived experience tell us about health and social care for people experiencing homelessness? Join Pathway online on Tuesday 20 October, from  3.30pm to 5.00pm, to hear researchers from the University of Manchester and Groundswell share the findings from their two-year NIHR-funded project, and what they mean for the sector. Book a place here. 

Access e-learning on the Renters' Rights Act
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has funded Shelter to provide online training on the Renters’ Rights Act. There are eight pre-recorded e-learning courses currently available, covering a range of topics including enforcement of the Act, rent increases, possession proceedings and pets. If you work for an eligible organisation (for example, if you provide housing or homelessness advice and/or debt and welfare benefits advice) you can access these for free via Shelter’s website. Shelter are also currently running a series of live webinars on Section 8 notices, which eligible organisations can book online.

Pharmacological management of ADHD in adults - Pathway
Online Webinar: Wednesday 7 October, 3pm to 4.30pm. Following the previous two successful webinars on ADHD and people who are experiencing homelessness by Pathway, they are pleased to announce the third in the series which will cover 'Pharmacological management of ADHD in adults'. This education webinar will be delivered by Takeda UK Ltd alongside a Consultant Psychiatrist working with people experiencing homelessness. It is intended for prescribers (both doctors and non-medical prescribers) and registered healthcare professionals working with people experiencing homelessness and making clinical decisions on their care, including about medication. Book your place here. 

New Event Series from BGPS and the Frontline Network 
The Frontline Network is really pleased to be working with the team at BGPS to offer a new series of free, online, monthly spaces for frontline staff working with people experiencing homelessness in England. Sessions will connect peers, share learning and experiences, and take away helpful resources to support people in their roles. Staff facilitating sessions each have frontline and clinical practice experience. Key to each session will be providing practical ways staff can support themselves through the often challenging and busy environments they work in, which impacts their energy, well-being, physical and mental health.
The first three sessions will cover the following topics:
- 9.30am-11am, Tuesday 6 October - Managing Compassion Fatigue
- 12pm-1.30pm, Friday 20 November - Holding our boundaries to support ourselves
- 3.30pm-5pm, Thursday 17 December - Responding to Moral Injury in difficult environments

Change Grow Live (CGL) - Training Courses 
Click here to visit the CGL eventbrite page to book onto one of their free training sessions.
Sessions include:
- Drug Awareness Training
- Harm Reduction Training
- Overdose and Naxolone Training
- New Synthetic Substances Briefing

The Recovery Academy - Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
The Recovery Academy is an inclusive educational space where individuals, families, carers, and professionals can access tools and knowledge to support mental health, well-being, and recovery. Designed as a positive learning experience, their courses and online resources are not a substitute for therapy but a space for exchanging knowledge and gaining insights into mental health, well-being and personal growth. There is over 60 face to face courses, 500 online resources and bespoke in-house training. Click here to visit their website and register. 

Trans and non-Binary Awareness - St Martins in the Field
Build your confidence in supporting trans and non-binary people. This interactive session from Gendered Intelligence explores key concepts, legislation and practical steps towards trans-inclusive organisations, with plenty of opportunity for questions, discussion and signposting to further resources. This session will run Tuesday 29 September from 10am to 11.45am. Book your place here. 
The session aims to:
- Explain what ‘trans’ and ‘non-binary’ mean and describe the diversity of those who might use the terms
- Introduce key concepts crucial to understanding trans and non-binary people
- Outline the main legislation relating to trans identities
- Explore ways an organisation can work towards being trans-inclusive
- Provide links to further resources and help

Manchester Volunteer Centre - Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities
This session focuses on the legal obligations of managing volunteers. Click here to read further information and sign up to the online session on 6 October from 10am to 12pm.

Cuckooing Training - Groundswell 
Join this half-day online course delivered by Groundswell, which will delve into the complexities of cuckooing, highlighting its effects on individuals and communities, particularly within the homelessness sector. You’ll learn to identify warning signs, understand the vulnerabilities that can lead to cuckooing, and explore strategies for intervention and support. There are two opportunities to join this course, on Monday 12 October, and Thursday 15 October, both 10am to 1pm.  
This course will look at:
- The main reasons cuckooing happens and the effects this may have on a victim both during and after the event
- Ways we can work to reduce the possibility of this happening to clients how we can support clients to avoid such abuse
- What we as practitioners can do to assist people not to find themselves a victim or assist them if they find they are already a victim.
- Work through a toolkit specifically designed to help you to continue to support your clients to be free of, and safe from cuckooing.

Manchester Community Central and Royal Literary Fund - Writing fundraising applications
Writing grant applications and funding bids is challenging and time consuming. This online workshop on 20 October from 10am to 12pm, will guide you through the process of project planning while helping you to understand the key principles of writing applications and avoiding commonly made mistakes. Click here to register. 

Supported housing residents to keep more of what they earn
People living in supported housing will be able to keep more of their earnings under new benefit rules designed to improve work incentives. The changes are meant to help residents move towards employment and greater independence without losing their housing-related support straight away, taking away one of the barriers that has long made moving into work feel like a risk. Read about the changes here and read the Expert Link Supported Housing: What Good Looks Like guide here. 

FREE face to face Dual Diagnosis Training
This free dual diagnosis training - “Seeing the Whole Human” is a co-produced training jointly delivered by Manchester Dual Diagnosis Liaison Service and Gaddum centre co-production team. It is an interactive training to consider aspects for working with people who have a co-existing mental health, alcohol, and drug’s needs (comhad).  The training will take place on Monday 19 October, 10am to 4pm and will be limited to 3 places per team, it will take place at a city centre location, and the focus is for front line workers and volunteers from any organisation who work with people with COMHAD needs. To apply please use this link or scan QR code below.

James has been involved with Real Change MCR from the very beginning, helping to shape the fund and champion the practical support it provides to people experiencing homelessness across Manchester. James works in the Manchester Metropolitan University Events Management Team, and one of the first ways he supported the fund was by helping ensure that £1 from every day delegate rate at Manchester Met conferences went to Real Change MCR. Over the past 10 years, that contribution has raised an incredible £50,000 for Real Change MCR. Click here to read more about James and his contribution to the Real Change MCR fund. 

Have your say: the Big Conversation on Care 
A review of adult social care is taking place and the public side of it is now open. The Big Conversation on Care is asking people across England what a good care system should look like, starting with who it should support and what we should all be able to expect from it. It runs until April 2027, and anyone can take part online. Social care, health, housing and welfare are tightly bound together, and people with overlapping needs are often the ones who fall through the gaps between them, so it matters that those voices are in this from the start. The Big Conversation runs in two phases, with the first, from July to November, asking about the values and principles people expect from a care system and who should be eligible, and it is open to everyone online. Take part here. 

For the majority of people living in Manchester they will rely on the private rental sector to ensure they have a roof over their heads. However, for many years it has been under regulated, resulting in widespread abuse of the system and huge uncertainty for people who rely on the system. This has now been changed with the Renters' Rights Act now in place across England and Wales. No-fault evictions are now banned, as are fixed contracts, and new rules are now in place to prevent discrimination against potential tenants. 
To find out how this may affect you, click here. You can call 0161 234 1253.
Click here to visit Shelter's information page on the Renter's Rights Act 2025 changes.

2026/27 Common Ground Award
The Common Ground Award will shine a spotlight on organisations across England that are making a real difference by bringing communities together. Through the Common Ground Award, MHCLG will provide direct capital investment into voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, that are building social connections across and between different communities. This investment will support the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, spaces or the purchasing of equipment to help deliver services that build community cohesion and resilience. Deadline: 12 October 2026.

The Edward Holt Trust – Long-Term Funding Opportunity
The Edward Holt Trust invites applications from charities working in Greater Manchester for ambitious new pilot projects that aim to lift people out of poverty and/or prevent homelessness. The Edward Holt Trust are looking for bold, practical and locally rooted proposals focused on prevention. Projects should tackle root causes, reduce vulnerability and build lasting resilience for individuals and communities. They must be shaped with people who have lived experience and include paid employment, training, skills or career-development opportunities for those colleagues. Deadline: 16 October, 5pm.

Oglesby Charitable Trust – Spotlight: Local Climate Action
The Oglesby Charitable Trust is launching a new fund: 'Spotlight: Local Climate Action', where smaller organisations and local groups can access up to £5,000 each for nature-based climate action, within Greater Manchester. Organisations with a turnover of less than £250,000 are invited to apply, and core funding is available. Deadline: 3 November 2026.

E-bulletins

Boaz Trust - September news 

Manchester Community Central - Training News August 2026

MCR Active - Manchester Voice: Issue 140 GM Moving Newsletter

Manchester City Council - Work and Skills e-bulletin - 7 September 21 September

News

27 July 2026 - Celebrating 89 affordable homes in Manchester - Great Places

23 August 2026 - Finland tried to end homelessness. What can we learn from its runaway success – and recent failures? - The Guardian

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.