This winter, Manchester’s oldest homelessness charity will be handing out more Christmas dinners this year than ever before from their Northern Quarter space.
Between December 23 and 29, Lifeshare will throw open its doors daily to offer festive food to anyone who needs it.
The charity is estimating that they will provide over 3,000 meals – an increase on the 1,000 that were served at Christmas 2022.
As temperatures plummet this winter, and the city’s renowned Christmas markets get underway, services provided by Lifeshare and other homelessness charities in Greater Manchester are under strain – there is an unprecedented demand for help.
Lifeshare’s Digital and Marketing Manager Abigail Noonan said: “Clearly with so many people using the service it is more important than ever to keep doing what we do.
“It is about food, and it is about the physical support but it is also about feeling included in your community.
“Oftentimes these are people who have complex needs and complex situations so the holidays might not be the easiest time for them – they might feel left out.
“So what we try and do is make sure that people feel like the city of Manchester does care about them.”
As well as a meal, the charity will provide support services such as access to barbers, a nurse, and even an optician.
But perhaps the best present of them all is a chance for the homeless to speak to a Manchester City Council representative, and potentially get cold weather accommodation sorted for the winter period.
However, Christmas dinner is not Lifeshare’s most used service. Their breakfast provision feeds hundreds with fresh butties and a cup of tea each weekend. In all their years, the charity has never charged their service users a penny.
In 2022, Lifeshare served 6,000 breakfasts. By this weekend (December 9) the charity expects to double that figure – serving over 12,000 breakfasts in 2023.
Since its establishment in 1984, Lifeshare has tried to “adapt to the needs of the city” by evolving its many services. The charity started by providing food to the homeless from a burger van, before pioneering sexual health support for sex workers.
Their current focus is fighting against Spice, and supporting younger people with more complex needs through their Crisis Assessment and Referral Diversity Service.
Actress Maxine Peak Lifeshare said in a campaign she fronted for Lifeshare: “It’s incredible that we are fully staffed for Christmas now with selfless volunteers that are giving up their time to support our guests this year.
“But, we still need clothing donations, food, and cash – if you’re able to offer anything we’d greatly accept it. It’s tough out there for everyone right now, but being alone, homeless, and cold is unthinkable.”
Anyone is welcome to attend the Lifeshare pop-up for Christmas with no questions asked, for as many days as they need. Lifeshare’s doors at 2 Dale Street will officially open for Christmas at 2pm on December 23.
You can get in contact with Lifeshare here or by calling 0161 235 0744.
Featured image: Shirlaine Forrest for Lifeshare
