7 Manchester Charities That Actually Need Your Help

As the days get colder and the nights longer remember, as you cozy up to your open fire, it is now the season of giving. The time to give the gift of joy.

Half of the children living in Moss Side, Hulme, Ancoats, Clayton, and Irwell Riverside live in poverty. Greater Manchester has an estimated 150,000 children suffering from homelessness.

150,000 children without money for heating and food, without clothes to keep them warm, without gifts to open on Christmas Day. 150,000 children missing out on a real childhood.

“Far too many children whose parents are struggling to make a living are suffering as a result and missing out on the essentials of a decent childhood that all young people should be entitled to. We can and must do better for our children.” says David Holmes, Chair of End Child Poverty.

In no particular order, here is a shortlist of our favourite Manchester based charities that need your help…

Wood Street Mission

Wood St Mission is a children’s charity established in 1869 which helps alleviate the effects of poverty on children and their families through practical help. Last year, the Christmas project provided food for over 2,000 families and ensured that 4,500 children received toy packages.

So what can you do to help? They need donations of non-perishable food, particularly tinned meat, fish, tinned fruit, desserts, tea and coffee. They also need donations of new toys and gifts, particularly gifts suitable for both boys and girls aged 10 years and over.

So get digging in those cupboards or why not add an extra tin or two to your shopping for the next few weeks and drop them off at Wood Street or arrange for delivery. Wood Street Mission receives no statutory funding so without the help and support of local people they could not possibly do the amazing work they do. Text ROAR to 70500 to donate.

woodstreetmission.org.uk

Mustard Tree

Winter is a tough time to be out on the streets and it can feel like nobody is there to help you. Mustard Tree works with people who are homeless or marginalised and with more than 2,500 referrals last year alone, there is a real need for their services. They are looking for people to volunteer some of their time over the Christmas period by helping in their shops sorting stock and helping customers or in the warehouse helping drivers collect and deliver furniture. They are always looking to replenish their food store because they often run low serving people on the soup run every Friday night and providing food parcels to people who are in desperate need.

So if you have any non-perishable food items and/or toiletries you would be willing to donate, Mustard Tree and their clients would be very grateful.

mustardtree.org.uk

Dress For Success

Dress for Success Manchester launched on International Women’s Day 2013 and since then they have been helping unemployed women back to work. Women who visit the charity’s shop in the city centre receive styling, a full outfit and interview training. All gain skills, confidence and, most importantly, more than half have found work.

You can help by donating money or time. Alternatively, why not have a “Wardrobe Detox” and donate your spare professional clothing or hold a “Clothes Drive” with your friends. They cater for all shapes and sizes so anything good quality and usable is appreciated. Or why not pop an extra box of tights or plain white shirt in your basket when you’re out shopping for your Christmas outfit, Small gestures make a big difference to someone else.

dressforsuccessmcr.org

Mood Swings

The effects of mood problems such as periods of severe anxiety or depression to episodes of high and low mood-can be devastating on education, employment, relationships and family life.Moodswings is an award-winning Manchester charity which helps people recover from mood problems and the severe emotional distress they can cause. They run a range of courses, events and workshops which help people cope with a variety of difficulties and move on to lead happier and fuller lives and a helpline run by volunteers.

moodswings.org.uk

Barnabus

Barnabus is a Christian Homeless Charity based in Manchester. They started over 23 years ago with just one man walking the streets, giving out food and drink to the homeless.

The charity now offer a lifeline to 600 visiting homeless and vulnerable people each week, many of whom have severe addictions or mental health issues. Barnabus support their physical, emotional and spiritual needs and do all we can to help them get back into mainstream society. They have received the ‘unsung heroes’ Queens award for Voluntary Service, but we do not receive any government funding, they rely entirely on donations.

barnabus-manchester.org.uk

If you can’t decide which charity you want to help, you could donate to one of these charities which raise funds they subsequently distribute to local good causes…

Forever Manchester

Forever Manchester, Greater Manchester’s community foundation, funds thousands of community projects across Greater Manchester. Using their knowledge, expertise and experience of managing funds for 25 years, they ensure that the money you donate is effectively distributed to local groups which are doing valuable work in the community. Last year, they awarded £3.75m to 1,346 community projects across Greater Manchester

forevermanchester.com

We Love MCR

We Love MCR is the new name of the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charity Appeal Trust which raises funds to pass on to local charities and community groups which improve the lives and life chances of Manchester people.

Give a little, help a lot.

welovemcrcharity.org

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@ILoveMCR

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