Without your help, I know I wouldn’t have survived.
“I’ve lived on the streets for a really long time and when I came to Caritas for help I had just been diagnosed with an illness.
I was really underweight and finding things really hard.
The team helped me speak to lots of people involved in looking after me and agreed that I can stay until I need special medical care.
I know I wouldn’t have survived if I’d stayed on the streets. I want to say thank you for getting me a television for my room and checking in on me, and for all your support.”
Your support could make such a difference to a family like mine
“My family experienced a house fire, losing most of our belongings, and we were moved into temporary accommodation.
Caritas supported us around housing and helped replace items destroyed in the fire, but also on an emotional level, easing our anxiety and stress.
I’m hoping we will soon be settled in our forever home, beginning again, and moving forward as a family together.”
Can you please help?
Our work and campaigns are rooted in our experience of accompanying and listening to people who access our services.
Together, we work alongside people experiencing homelessness and poverty, keeping their dignity at the heart of our work.
But to drive real change, we need your help.
Stop, reflect and think about what many young people and adults experiencing homelessness are facing every day.
Write to your MP and call for change
Too many people in Greater Manchester and Lancashire are homeless. We know that a significant driver of homelessness is the freeze on Local Housing Allowance (LHA rates).
LHA rates set the maximum amount of housing benefit that someone in private rented accommodation can claim. It is supposed to make renting more affordable for people on low incomes, but in fact, less than two per cent of privately rented homes across the country are affordable on the current rates.
This is because the government has frozen LHA rates, which means they have not kept pace with rising rent costs. This pushes people into homelessness as they struggle to pay their rent, and prevents people experiencing homelessness from finding somewhere to live.
Please join us in calling for urgently needed change by writing to your local MP.
Please act now…
- Make a donation if you’re able to help us continue to support even more people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless: Donate
- Download our resources below to find out ways you can help people in your community now.
- Share our posts and this page on social media to help raise awareness and encourage others to take action.
- Learn more about our services to signpost people in your area who may be at risk of becoming homeless: Find out more
- Get in touch if your business organisation can help financially or by offering additional support or expertise.
- Volunteer with our teams to help people in your community: Find out more
- Write to your MP to call for change
How your donation will help
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£10could provide three nutritious hot meals at a Caritas day centre.
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£50could provide 70 of the most vulnerable people with a hot shower and toiletries at a Caritas day centre.
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£400could provide an essential furniture package for a young parent and child moving into their own tenancy.
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£1,500could sponsor a room for one year in our safe and supported accommodation to help a person out of homelessness.
Our services support adults and families locally at a time of crisis – and beyond
We run a range of services to support people who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
We provide a warm welcome and holistic support – from help with housing, finance, benefits and physical and mental health and wellbeing issues, to the provision of nutritious meals and a warm place where people can socialise and join in a range of activities.
Did you know?
Join our Big Sleep Out
“Caritas has helped me a lot. I feel safe here…you listen to me, check on me, and help me when I have problems. It feels like people care about me here, and Caritas stopped me sleeping on the streets.”
Person accessing our services
Resources
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Homelessness Video Questions and Answers Part One
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Homelessness Video Questions and Answers Part Two
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Homelessness Video Questions and Answers Part Three
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Your guide to becoming a volunteer at Caritas Salford
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Become a Red Door volunteer leaflet
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Signposting support for people in Blackburn
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Signposting support for people in Bolton
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Signposting support for people in Burnley
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Signposting support for people in Bury and Rochdale
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Signposting support for people in north Manchester
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Signposting support for people in Oldham and Ashton Under Lyne
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Signposting support for people in south Manchester
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Human dignity and homelessness resource
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Big Sleep Out Fundraising Pack
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Big Sleep Out fundraising poster
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Big Sleep Out sponsorship form
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Big Sleep Out Certificate
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Every Step Fundraising Pack
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Homelessness prayers for parishes
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Homelessness prayers for primary schools
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Homelessness prayers for secondary schools
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Homelessness presentation or assembly slides for schools
“I can’t thank you guys enough. Without everything that you do for me, I don’t know where I would be. I know that I can come here and get the support I need.”
Person accessing our services
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Launching our brand new homelessness campaign
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Our response to the government’s latest housing announcement
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Hundreds attend special allotment open afternoon