A Bed Every Night campaign helps more than 700 rough sleepers into accommodation

More than 700 people previously sleeping rough in Greater Manchester have been helped into warm, safe and supported accommodation since November, thanks to the ground-breaking A Bed Every Night scheme.

Greater Manchester is the only region in the United Kingdom pledging this level of support this winter for those sleeping on the streets. A Bed Every Night is a concerted and co-ordinated drive across all 10 boroughs to accommodate every individual who wants and needs to come indoors.

Since A Bed Every Night accommodation opened across Greater Manchester at the start of November last year, 707 people have accessed services with 183 people indoors on the first Sunday night of 2019.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The fact that more than 700 people have been assisted into A Bed Every Night accommodation in a little over two months shows both the scale of the crisis we face but also the effectiveness of scheme.

“The numbers of people facing or experiencing rough sleeping in our city-region are simply unacceptable – it is a humanitarian crisis on our streets and something we have chosen to face full-on with A Bed Every Night.

“I want to pay particular tribute to all the organisations, staff and volunteers in the teams across all boroughs of our city-region who are working every single day and night to deliver on the ground. Without this level of commitment an ambitious campaign such as A Bed Every Night would simply not succeed – the people of Greater Manchester care for each other, as our progress here demonstrates.”

In addition to the 707 former rough sleepers helped indoors, the scheme is designed to act as a springboard for people into more secure and long-term supported accommodation. A Bed Every Night is the intended first step for many on a journey to a life permanently off the streets, and since its introduction 154 people have been assisted through the scheme and into their own living arrangements.

The number of beds available through A Bed Every Night and the variety of support on offer continues to grow. In Crumpsall a former children’s home has been repurposed with 30 spaces available in single and shared rooms.

Residents also have access to shared communal spaces and a kitchen where, alongside staff, they are encouraged to develop cookery skills and help feed others living in the building.

A Bed Every Night runs until the end of March. The public and business can continue to support by donating to the Mayor of Greater Manchester's Charity via www.bedeverynight.co.uk. Monies raised through the Charity will be directed towards A Bed Every Night until the campaign’s end.

Article Published: 10/01/2019 10:41 AM