Meet the charity fighting for Manchester’s most vulnerable young women

For over five decades, Contact Hostel has been a sanctuary for vulnerable teenage girls in Manchester, offering more than just a roof over their heads,  it provides a lifeline, a second chance, and the promise of a brighter future.

The hostel’s story is rooted in compassion and the unwavering belief that no young woman should face homelessness alone. It all started with one woman’s determination to make a difference, and today, it continues to transform lives, one girl at a time.

How Contact Hostel is a lifeline for vulnerable girls

“We’re a charity based in Whalley Range and the ethos of our charity is to provide a safe home environment for teenage girls facing homelessness,” said Helen Gazard from Contact Hostel. 

“While they’re with us, we also support them to get into education, training, or employment, and teach them vital life skills to prepare them for independent living. When they leave us, they can build a better life for themselves.”

No other charity offers the same level of support. Unlike many other services, Contact Hostel has support workers on-site 24/7.

“One thing that separates Contact from other supported living provisions is the level of support we provide. We have support workers on-site 24 hours a day, which many other places don’t,” Helen explained. 

“It’s often in the evenings, when girls come back from college and are making tea, that they talk to our support workers. We can learn more about what’s going on with them and what they need.”

The story of Brigid Murphy

Brigid Murphy was a former nun who, in the late 1960s, worked at a school for young offenders in Manchester. She saw firsthand how many teenage girls were leaving the system with nowhere safe to go. Without support, they often ended up on the streets, turning to drugs, crime, or abusive relationships just to survive.

Brigid refused to stand by. Using government grants and her own resources, she founded Contact Hostel in 1970. It became a safe space: a home for young women who had no other options.

Since then, the hostel has remained a small but essential part of Manchester’s support network. It provides accommodation for up to nine young women at a time, offering not just shelter but also life skills, emotional support, and pathways to independence.

“There are quite a lot of supported living provisions in Manchester, but we are very different,” Helen explained. “First off, we’re girls-only, which is quite important for the girls that we support because because we have a reputation for housing some of the most vulnerable girls’, who might be at risk of exploitation or grooming in some of the larger accommodations.”

Brigid passed away in 2005, but her legacy lives on in the lives of every young woman who walks through Contact’s doors.

The girls behind the numbers

Every statistic about youth homelessness represents a real person: a young woman with dreams, struggles, and untapped potential. Contact Hostel provides more than a roof, it provides a future.

“We get far more referrals than we have beds for,” Helen said. “Last year we got 63 referrals and were able to house 23 girls. The referrals come from the council and we house as many as we can.” Here are two stories that show just how life-changing that support can be.

Freya’s Story

Freya arrived at Contact Hostel at just 17 after a breakdown in family relationships left her without a stable home. Despite everything she had been through, she showed incredible resilience: juggling two part-time jobs while working toward her dream of attending college.

With the support of her key-worker, Freya learned essential life skills, from managing finances to navigating independent living. When she discovered she was pregnant, the Contact team stood by her, offering reassurance and helping her make informed decisions about her future.

Determined to build a stable life for herself and her baby, Freya moved into a dedicated Mother and Baby home when the time was right. As she had little family support, Contact provided a high-quality pram and travel system, ensuring she could maintain her independence and safely transport her child.

Amaal’s Story

Amaal moved to the UK several years ago and initially lived with a family member. However, when that support broke down, she became homeless and was placed in shared accommodation by social services. With no immediate family in the country, Amaal felt isolated and alone.

In 2023, she arrived at Contact Hostel, struggling to find a way forward. She was not in education or employment, but with the guidance of Contact’s staff, she took her first steps toward independence. She successfully completed the Prince’s Trust Foundation programme, and out of 200 applicants, she was chosen as one of only 20 to take part in the NHS pre-employment programme.

Amaal’s dedication and hard work paid off: she secured a full-time job as a Lab Technician with a strong salary and excellent career prospects. Recognising her reliability and maturity, Contact moved her into their Move-On Bungalow, where she gained more independence while still having support nearby.

“Because of the housing crisis in Manchester, it’s difficult for girls to find permanent housing,” Helen says. “So, in 2023, we renovated a bungalow to provide an interim step between Contact and independent living. It’s for older girls or those ready to move out but haven’t secured permanent housing.”

*Name and details changed for privacy.

100K in May: A Challenge That Can Change Lives

Now, Contact Hostel is calling on the Manchester community to help ensure this vital work can continue.

This May, they are launching their first-ever ‘100K in May’ challenge. The concept is simple: walk, run, cycle, or move 100km throughout the month while raising much-needed funds for the hostel.

“We’d love anyone to get involved,” Helen said. “They can do it in their own time. One thing we’d like to make clear is if 100K sounds unachievable, people can amend it to fit their capabilities. It’s a personal challenge, so people can set their own goals.”

How Contact Hostel transforms Lives

Providing a bed is just the beginning.

Homeless teenage girls are often dealing with trauma, neglect, and deep-rooted insecurities. At Contact, the staff don’t just offer a place to sleep; they provide wraparound support tailored to each girl’s individual needs.

This includes:

Life Skills Training – From cooking and cleaning to managing finances, Contact prepares young women for independent living.

Education & Employment Support – Many of the girls have had disrupted schooling. Contact helps them re-engage with education, apply for college, or find jobs.

Emotional Support – Contact’s team offers mentorship, advice on where to get counselling, and a listening ear for those who have suffered abuse or neglect.

Move-On Support – Once ready to leave the hostel, girls don’t have to face the world alone. Contact helps them find accommodation, secure funding, and transition to the next stage of their lives.

These small steps add up to monumental changes.

Contact Hostel relies heavily on fundraising and donations. This year alone, they need to raise £210,000 to continue their work.

“We get local authority funding, but we have to fundraise the remainder ourselves,” Helen added. “Any exposure helps, as we haven’t always shouted about ourselves even though we’ve been in Manchester for over 50 years. But now we really need the local community’s support.”

How you can help Contact Hostel

Contact Hostel relies on fundraising and donations to keep its doors open. This year alone, they need to raise £210,000 to continue their work.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Donate – Text ‘CONTACT’ to 70085 to donate £5 (texts cost £5 plus two standard rate messages).

Volunteer – Contact is looking for fundraising volunteers, public speakers, and people who can help spread the word.

Take Part in 100K in May – Sign up, get moving, and help raise crucial funds.

Fundraise – Whether it’s a bake sale, a charity run, or a sponsored challenge, every effort makes a difference.

The future of Contact Hostel

With Manchester’s youth homelessness rates climbing, the need for Contact Hostel has never been greater.

Every girl who walks through its doors carries a story of struggle, but, thanks to this incredible charity, many of them also leave with a story of hope.

In a city as vibrant and community-driven as Manchester, no young woman should ever have to sleep rough. Contact Hostel is proof that with the right support, a different future is always possible. Now, it’s up to us to help them continue their work.

For more information or to get involved, visit Contact Hostel’s website here or email fundraising@contacthostel.co.uk