Christmas campaign will help fund 1,000 emergency beds for people rough sleeping

A Bed Every Night was launched in 2018 by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and provides emergency beds for anyone rough sleeping across the city region, as well as vital personal support.

Since 2019 the scheme has helped over 3,400 people and reduced rough sleeping by 57%.

However there is a rising need and this winter the charity is concerned that more people may end up at risk due to the ban on evictions, Universal Credit uplift and the furlough scheme coming to end. 

For many people these schemes have been a lifeline in keeping a roof over their heads during a time of economic instability caused by the pandemic.

’1,000 Beds for Christmas’ has now been launched by Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and will help fund 1,000 night’s accommodation within the flagship A Bed Every Night scheme across Greater Manchester.

“Here in Greater Manchester our ground-breaking approach to rough sleeping and homelessness is working, and making a real difference,” said Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

“The number of people sleeping on our streets is at its lowest since 2013.

“But we will not rest until we have eradicated the need for rough sleeping from our city-region.

“Please donate what you can to A Bed Every Night and help us raise £30,000 to provide 1,000 places of safety this Christmas.”

There are currently around 600 people in A Bed Every Night accommodation across Greater Manchester who would otherwise be at risk of rough sleeping.

There are 21 organisations across Greater Manchester that provide accommodation for A Bed Every Night.

Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity has played a fundamental role in funding frontline charities, including supporting the A Bed Every Night scheme.

They have launched a public appeal to help raise £30,000 – funding 1,000 beds this Christmas and have urged people to pledge whatever they can to help.

“We want to ensure that homelessness has no place in Greater Manchester,” says Vanessa Haworth, head of the charity.

“We have a responsibility to support those who are in need right now and are calling on the generosity of the Greater Manchester public to help us raise funds.

“£30 will help fund a bed for the night, but please donate whatever you can to help.”

Those wishing to support should pledge via the JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/1000beds.