Homeless charity 'mind-blown' by appeal response

2 days ago

Georgie Docker,North West and

Richard Stead,North West

News image — More than £14,000 has been raised to help furnish a new development of 40 flats for homeless people in Manchester

BBC Photograph of one of the rooms at the Embassy homeless village in Castlefield. The image includes cupboards, a bed, a cooker and a kitchen sink. — More than £14,000 has been raised to help furnish a new development of 40 flats for homeless people in Manchester

Generous members of the public have been thanked for backing a fundraising appeal which will allow a charity to furnish apartments in a purpose-built village for homeless people.

After building 40 homes under the Castlefield railway arches in Manchester city centre, homelessness charity Embassy asked for donations to buy much-needed items like mirrors, cutlery, curtains and bedding.

After speaking on BBC Radio Manchester earlier this week, the charity said it had been overwhelmed by an additional £14,000 in donations.

"For anyone who's given any money, we want to say 'thank you very much'," said co-founder and director Sid Williams, who added: "It blew my mind."

Photograph of the modular homes which are being built underneath a series of railway arches in Castlefield. The Bridgewater Canal can be seen in the foreground, surrounded by metal fencing. — Embassy launched in 2019 with the aim of helping homeless people get into a position where they could secure accommodation in the private rented sector

Each apartment costs about £850 to furnish.

Williams said the recent donations had provided about half of the amount that was needed.

"We've had about 200 emails come in and just under £14,000 from the general public - people we've never met before who've just heard about us on the show and got in touch.

"We had a chap who imports kettles and another who imports pillows offering help, and I'm meeting somebody else today who's bringing duvets."

Williams said he was especially grateful for all donations post-Christmas - a time when many people are struggling financially.

'Another chance at life'

The homeless village in Castlefield has been built with the help of Manchester's business community, whose members gave their time for free after an appeal.

Once they are furnished, the new homes will welcome their first residents in February.

The complex will have a village hall, complete with a space to socialise and eat together, a laundry room, computers, and a training kitchen to help residents learn how to cook.

Williams said money raised for the charity provided people with a living space, community, skills and full-time employment.

"We're giving people a community whilst we're growing their confidence and training them," he said.

"We have people coming out of the armed forces or the care system, but also just your average Joe who just can't make ends meet any more.

"And it's just about giving people another chance at life."

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