LIFESHARE IS in danger of becoming homeless itself, with just four months to find new premises for its breakfast project.

The charity provides 50 – 125 free breakfasts to the homeless every weekend, from its home at the Charter St. Mission Building on Dantzic Street, Manchester.

However, this area is due to be redeveloped over the next couple of years, so Lifeshare need to find a new home.

Lifeshare is therefore calling on the Manchester community and local businesses to help with their search.

Maxine Peake, actress and Patron for Lifeshare, said: “This service is absolutely vital to Manchester and its ever-growing homeless community. It would be criminal if we can’t find another space for Lifeshare to continue this essential work.”

Statistics from the Department for Communities and Local Government found that the Manchester region has the fourth highest level of rough sleepers in the UK.

Dantzic Street is due to be redeveloped later this year
Dantzic Street is due to be redeveloped later this year (Credit: Elliot Thompson)

Judith Vickers, Team Leader at Lifeshare said: “I can’t put into words how much this project means to the homeless community.

She added that the breakfast project is very “successful” and “popular” and said: “Our clients are already panicking about what to do if we can’t find new premises.”

The breakfast project started nearly 30 years ago, when one of the volunteers started handing out bacon sandwiches to the homeless, in the city.

The rise in the number of rough sleepers in Manchester has seen the charity grow.

Lifeshare now run a number of projects such as the CARDS service which seeks to support young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.

Lifeshare's current home on Dantzic Street
Lifeshare’s current home on Dantzic Street (Credit: Elliot Thompson)

They also run a Christmas drop-in where the Dantzic Street venue operates as an open house for the homeless to come to for food, clothing and entertainment.

The charity is considering a couple of possibilities for a new home, however Ms Vickers said they were unlikely to find one in central Manchester.

There is a possibility that Lifeshare may be able to return to Dantzic street once the renovations are complete however there is no guarantee that they will be invited back.

Lifeshare have until June to find new premises so that they can continue with their work to support the homeless.

Anyone with suggestions for a new venue or who wishes to find out more about the appeal, or make a donation can contact Lifeshare by email, phone, 0161 235 0744, or visit their website or Twitter.

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