Lifeshare’s pop-up shelter to help Manchester’s homeless community this Christmas

Lifeshare’s Christmas Project is a week-long pop up service that offers hot meals, hair-cuts, spare clothes, advice, medical care, support, showers, veterinary care and assistance to get people off the streets over the festive season.

It is based at the New Victoria Development next to Victoria Station.

Last year saw over 60 people a day use the service, accessing emergency health support, food and basic provisions over the festive period.

Lifeshare, the oldest homeless charity in Manchester is very concerned it’s going to be even more in demand this Christmas.

From December 23 – 29, the New Victoria development will once again throw open its doors on a daily basis to offer hot food, company, showers, health support, clothing, games and entertainment to anyone who needs it. 

A raft of famous faces, including actress Maxine Peake, boxer Campbell Hatton and musician Clint Boon will open the annual Christmas Project, with a group of amazing Lifeshare staff and volunteers selflessly giving up their Christmas.

Maxine Peake said: “If you find yourself in crisis, homeless or alone this Christmas, get yourself down to Lifeshare’s Christmas Project. You will be welcomed by an amazing group of people who want to help and share their holiday with you.

“We’d all like to live in a world where homelessness is not an issue, but the reality is that’s not the case. The important thing is that there is help out there, there are people who care and no one should be on the streets alone at Christmas.”

If you’d like to donate a Christmas meal to someone who is homeless, you can do that by clicking here.

Judith Vickers, operations manager at Lifeshare, said: “This incredible, life-saving service that is going to be greatly needed this Christmas couldn’t happen without our amazing corporate partners VINCI Building, Muse and Pension Insurance Corporation.

“We are so grateful that yet again they are providing the location, cash, and a wealth of other supplies to make sure we can support the increasing number of people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.” 

Matt Legg, VINCI’s project manager for the New Victoria scheme, said: “Last year we were honoured to support this great project. This year, while this site is still operating, there wasn’t a second we considered not supporting it again with a facility and donations.

“Being part of this scheme was a real eye-opener for our team, homelessness is a problem that is not going away, and this is why we’ve supported Lifeshare throughout the year again.

“We’re very concerned that people are struggling, and while we are building this amazing development, it’s essential that we also give back to the City we’re working in.

“Through our delivery of the exciting New Victoria scheme we ensure that we not only deliver a flagship development but leave a lasting legacy and support the communities in which we work.”

The partners helping to make this Lifeshare Christmas Project happen at the New Victoria residential development include:  VINCI Building, Muse, PIC, Chroma, Walker Sime, Chroma, HAALO, WSP, Xclusive Marquees and John Sisk.

Simon Hourihan, project director at Muse, said: “It is not lost on us as a business that, while amazing buildings are being constructed across the city, some people haven’t got a stable home. Our goal is to create kinder communities that are built on creating opportunities for all to have a brighter future and for all to be healthy in body and mind. We’re proud to support the vital work of charities like Lifeshare, to try and help those in need find a stable and nurturing community where they can thrive.”

The Christmas Project opening times for anyone in need: Friday 23 December 2pm – 8pm

Saturday 24th December until and including Thursday 28 December 7:30 am – 8pm.

Friday 29th December 7:30am-2pm.

For more information on the Christmas Project see www.lifeshare.org.uk