Homeless charity in desperate search for new base
AS WELL AS PROVIDING BREAKFASTS, LIFESHARE SUPPORTS USERS OF SPICE – A SYNTHETIC DRUG BANNED LAST YEAR
A CHARITY has made a desperate plea for help to find a new home for its ‘vital’ service offering free cooked breakfasts to the city’s homeless.
Lifeshare is being forced to vacate its base at the old Charter Street Ragged School in Dantzic Street in June, because of refurbishment work.
Now bosses – as well as actress Maxine Peake, who is a charity patron – are appealing for anyone who may be able to help to come forward.
Every weekend the charity welcomes up to 125 homeless people to tuck in to a hot breakfast prepared by volunteers with donations from the public and businesses.
The project started more than 20 years ago when volunteers handed out bacon sandwiches to the city centre homeless. It has grown over the years and now opens every Saturday and Sunday.
As well as providing breakfasts, the charity supports users of Spice – a synthetic drug banned last April.
The charity says the drug is causing chaos on the streets, with the M.E.N. this week reporting on a new strain which causes people to ‘freeze.’
Patron Maxine said: “This service is absolutely vital to Manchester and its ever-growing homeless community.
“It would be criminal if we can’t find another space for Lifeshare to continue this essential work.
“We need to take a long hard look at ourselves and find ways to protect and support the most vulnerable in our city.” Judith Vickers, team leader at Lifeshare, said any help would be welcomed. Ideally, the charity would need a venue which includes a large kitchen, storage space and a dining hall big enough to cater for 100 people. Judith said: “I can’t put into words how much this project means to the homeless community. It is a safe place they can count on to be judgementfree.” Lifeshare, which also has a base in Houldsworth Street in the Northern Quarter, was set up 25 years ago to help the homeless and vulnerable in Manchester. It also runs schemes helping young homeless people, running art projects and an annual Christmas drop-in. Christine Sivori, chair of Lifeshare, said: “We are actively looking for new affordable premises to ensure we can continue working to prevent the cycle of homelessness.”