Realchangemcr

31/10/2026

Grab yourself a brew, take a seat and catch up ☕️

The latest Manchester Homelessness Partnership e-bulletin is here.
Take a few minutes to find out what’s happening across Manchester, hear the latest news, updates, projects and developments from members of the Manchester Homelessness Partnership, and see the fantastic work taking place across the city.

Well Done Val, for bringing it all together.

Our latest e-bulletin is now available
https://manchestercommunitycentral.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=6383&reset=1

21/10/2026

Together, we can make a real difference.

This winter, let’s come together to support people experiencing homelessness in Manchester.
Every donation, no matter how big or small, can help make a difference to someone who needs it most.

Please consider supporting Real Change MCR this winter.

🙏 Donate today and be part of the real change.

https://realchangemanchester.co.uk/

21/10/2026

I spent several years sitting on the Manchester Homelessness Partnership Board and there is one statistic I was given that l've never forgotten.
Many people were only two missed payslips away from potentially becoming homeless.
That was years ago, but it stayed with me.

Today, I sit on the Real Change MCR panel, so the relationship between employment, income and homelessness is something I remain very conscious of.
Because behind phrases like "cost of living" are real people trying to make the numbers work every month.
Rent.
Food.
Energy.
Transport.
Childcare.

An unexpected bill.
And when there's little or nothing left after the essentials, it doesn't take much to turn managing into struggling.

That's one of the reasons the Real Living Wage has always mattered to me.
Years before Game Facilities Management existed, I was on the client side of facilities management and used that position to introduce the Real Living Wage into a in - house services business I had helped build.
I was responsible for setting the rates too, so I understood something then that remains true today:
If we wanted people to be paid more, the contract had to be funded properly.

Today I'm on the other side of that relationship.
Go A Mile Extra Facilities Management - GAME FM is an accredited Real Living Wage Employer and maintaining that commitment as a young business hasn't always been the easiest commercial choice.

But we don't make that commitment alone.
Our clients make it with us.
They have budgets to manage. They have financial pressures of their own. And when the Real Living Wage increases, they're the ones who ultimately have to find the additional money to support it.
So ahead of the new Real Living Wage announcement on 15 October, I wanted to say something publicly that I probably don't say often enough.
Thank you to our clients. Genuinely.
Thank you for understanding why this matters.
Thank you for having the difficult budget conversations.
And thank you for recognising that the person cleaning your workplace, welcoming your employees, looking after your building or protecting it has ...
Rent,
food,
energy,
transport
and a life outside work to pay for too.
The Real Living Wage won't solve every financial challenge somebody faces.
And accreditation doesn't automatically make us a perfect employer.
But when I think back to that statistic from the Homelessness Partnership, I'm reminded why this matters to me.
Behind every employment cost on a spreadsheet is a person.
That's something I never want us to lose.

Gabriel Erinle, Real Change MCR Panel Memberz

21/10/2026

Real Change MCR works in partnership with organisations like Cornerstone Day Centre, who can apply to the fund on behalf of people they support. The fund is specifically for people who have experienced street homelessness in Manchester, helping remove practical barriers as they move towards a more settled life.
Because everyone deserves the chance to feel safe, secure and at home.

💛 Real support. Real people. Real change.

21/10/2026

Today was a great opportunity to bring people together for conversation and shared learning as part of Real Change MCR.
We started the day with a Real Change MCR Funding Panel meeting, followed by lunch and a workshop with frontline workers from Real Change MCR partner organisations who are eligible to apply to the fund.
It was fantastic to create space for open conversations, share experiences and explore how the fund can continue to support work making a real difference to people experiencing homelessness across Manchester.
A big thank you to Booth Centre for hosting us, and to Val from the Manchester Homelessness Partnership for facilitating the event and bringing everyone together.

Working together, sharing knowledge and listening to frontline experiences are all vital to creating real change.

https://realchangemanchester.co.uk/

10/10/2026

17/09/2026

It's that time again..
We’re continuing to introduce the people who help shape our work, consider funding applications and ensure donations reach people and make the biggest difference.
This week, meet the brilliant Alixandra Moreleigh, Director of Services and Innovation at Booth Centre.

Alix first came across Real Change MCR while volunteering at the Booth Centre in 2016, where she saw first-hand the meaningful difference timely, direct support can make.
"Real Change MCR can help people recognise their strengths, build on their skills and create a better future.
It is a gem in a complicated maze of systems: simple to access, direct to the person and unique. It embodies what Manchester is - a place of real change."

As a panel member, Alix reviews
anonymised funding applications and helps make decisions about support.
"There are always nuances to consider, but it is important to approach every application from a solutions-focused position."
One part of the work that stays with Alix is seeing people make the move from the streets into a place they can truly call home.
"Moving off the streets is hard enough.
Having nothing to make a new space feel warm, welcoming or safe can make it even harder to settle.
Supporting someone with items that bring comfort and help turn a house into a home can make a real difference."

Alix also highlights that homelessness is not a one-size-fits-all issue. People's experiences, circumstances and routes into homelessness differ greatly - and so should the support available to them.
"Everyone has unique experiences that have shaped them. We should work collaboratively with people, responding to the support they identify as most helpful and helping them set goals that are achievable for them."
What gives Alix hope is the strength of Manchester's community.
"From small volunteer groups and students to established charities, there are always people and organisations ready to support others.
Manchester is a real, caring, welcoming and genuine city. That is why I have stayed here for 15 years."

There are many ways that local people and businesses can help: through volunteering, donations, fundraising or offering specialist skills. Alix would also like to see businesses create secure opportunities for people rebuilding their lives.
"We would welcome more businesses ring-fencing supported work placements and entry-level jobs.
Secure employment can be a vital step towards preventing people becoming stuck in the cycle of homelessness."
Please remember, small acts of kindness add up.
"Regular, small donations to Real Change MCR can help someone on their journey out of homelessness. That is huge."

Thank you, Alix, for being part of the Real Change MCR panel and for bringing such a thoughtful, person-centred approach to our work.

Please consider making a donation, sharing this post and following Real Change MCR to see the impact your support has in Manchester.

https://realchangemanchester.co.uk/

17/09/2026

A HUGE THANK
YOU TO MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
We are incredibly grateful to the Conferences and Events team at
Manchester Metropolitan University for their amazing support of Real Change
MCR over the past 10 years.
Through their generous scheme of donating £1 from their day delegate rate, they have contributed an incredible £50,000 towards helping to end homelessness in Manchester Alongside this, they have supported us through student events, 10K runs and numerous other activities.
A special thank you to Gemma Hill, Head of the Conference Team, for her kind words and recognition of the work we do together, and for acknowledging James's additional voluntary time and commitment to Chairing the funding Panel.
Thank you for all your support to and helping make a real change to people experiencing homelessness in our city.

17/09/2026

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
This week, Real Change Manchester received 11 one off donations via Localgiving, totalling £565, plus £88.75 in Gift Aid.
Most of these donations carried a variation of the heartfelt message “In memory of Professor John Moore.”
We are deeply touched by this wonderful tribute and grateful to everyone who has chosen to honour his memory by supporting our work to help people experiencing homelessness in Manchester.

Thank you for turning remembrance into real change. 💚💛

DONATE NOW | How we help | Accessibility Helping people experiencing homelessness Real Change MCR is a fund to help people experiencing homelessness in Manchester to pay for practical items that they need to build lives away from the streets.The fund is used by Manchester homelessness organisations....