From Monday 12th November, Manchester Piccadilly Train Station will host Inspirational People, a new photography and art exhibition jointly produced by local homelessness charity the Booth Centre and photographer Matt Priestley.
 
Inspirational People will be showcased on Piccadilly’s main concourse, featuring portraits of Booth Centre artists and displays of their artwork. The project aims to challenge misconceptions and habitual portrayals of homelessness; Matt captures each person’s individuality, communicating pride in their achievements and hope for the future.
 
The collaborative project marks the launch of the With One Voice International Arts and Homelessness Festival, a summit aimed at raising awareness of the important role the arts play in supporting those who have experienced homelessness.
 
Amanda Croome, CEO of the Booth Centre, said: “Whilst Manchester’s homeless situation is urgent and deserves close attention, traditional depictions of the crisis typically perpetuate damaging stereotypes. Inspirational People is a chance for the public to see powerful, authentic representations of those who have experienced such a prevalent issue in the city.
 
“There is support and hope for people living through homelessness, and the Booth Centre exists to help people get back on track. Inspirational People captures the optimism we see in our visitors every day, who are determined to move forward and build a better life.”
 
The Booth Centre provides a variety of services for people who are homeless and those at risk of homelessness. The charity aims to bring about positive change by providing advice on finding accommodation, education and training as well as helping to secure long-term employment. The centre also offers free meals and support in tackling health and addiction issues, alongside creative activities to boost confidence and self-esteem. 
 
Inspirational People is sponsored by Savills, Neil Morland, Keolis Amey, Ward Hadaway and One Manchester, a provider of housing and community services. Anton Schultz, Social Investment Manager at One Manchester, commented: “We are incredibly proud to support Inspirational People, a captivating exhibition which truthfully represents the skills, talents and hopes of people who have experienced homelessness and the essential services the Booth Centre provides in Manchester.”
 
The exhibition begins at 3:00pm on Monday 12th November until Sunday 18th November, when it will move to other venues around the city. To find out more about the exhibition and its accompanying book, visit http://inspirationalpeople.co.uk.
 

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​For the eighth year running, the Booth Centre, is inviting hundreds of people to take on the challenge of sleeping outside to raise awareness and vital funds to help end homelessness.
 
On Friday 9th November, the Manchester Cathedral will host The Manchester Sleepout 2018, tasking participants to take on the challenge of sleeping outdoors for the night, to increase understanding of some of the hardships that homeless people experience on a daily basis, whilst highlighting the life-changing work that the Booth Centre carries out throughout the city.
 
The Booth Centre offers an extensive range of vital support services for people experiencing homelessness, including help to move off the streets into accommodation, hot meals and showers, education and training workshops, employment and accommodation advice, as well as arts and sports sessions. The centre helps people to rebuild their lives and integrate themselves back into the community.
 
Amanda Croome, CEO of The Booth Centre, said: “Homelessness is still on the rise in Greater Manchester, and we all need to come together to tackle the root causes. At the Booth Centre, our vision is for everyone to have a secure home and the opportunity to have a good quality of life and to achieve this we rely on generous support from people who live and work in our community.
 
“The Manchester Sleepout offers just a glimpse of what it is like to sleep rough, and by no means exposes the true dangers and hardships that some people have to face night after night. But this event goes a really long way in galvanizing the local community to raise both awareness and vital funds to enable us to continue to support hundreds of people experiencing homelessness.”
 
The 2018 Manchester Sleepout is kindly sponsored by Construction Impact Framework (CIF), The University of Salford and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. Sara Lawton, MD of Construction Impact Framework, added: “The Booth Centre works tirelessly to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the North West. The charity offers a fantastic and varied range of services to give people the confidence and skills they need to get back on track and we’re proud to be supporting the charity in delivering its life-changing work.
 
“It’s encouraging to see the region pull together to raise money for this charity during The Manchester Sleepout and I, along with our partners Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Salford, look forward to taking part in this year’s event which is expected to be bigger than ever before.”
 
2017’s Manchester Sleepout saw over 400 people, including many teams from Manchester’s business community, come together to raise £120,000. Click here to register for this year’s event and support the Booth Centre with its life-changing work.
 

Article by Graham Wood, Street Support Network

​The People’s History Museum, with stories of the struggles of ordinary people, provided lots of ideas that have been expanded and explored to create Moving Panorama. The piece performed on Monday 11th June, combined visual arts with original songwriting centred around scrolling artworks that moved together with the songs to tell a story. The artworks, songs and poems reflected on the past but also gave voice to experiences in the present.

Lois Blackburn (arthur+martha) and singer songwriter Matt Hill (Quiet Loner) worked alongside people from the Booth Centre with the songs and artworks highlighting 21st century issues such as debt, living in poverty and lack of representation whilst also drawing parallels with similar struggles from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Moving Panorama explores the rich history of the streets of Manchester and people’s own personal stories and histories.

Here is another song from the performance:

Spinning Plates
by Lawrence McGill

I have 42 cliches in my life
And not one of them do I like
I walk and I walk and then I hike
Getting back on the horse is like riding a bike
My future is not written, my destiny awaits
Standing in a minefield spinning plates

Only death can stop me or Stupidity awaits
I’m standing in a minefield spinning plates
If money is the root of all evil
I never have any so I should be a saint

Tomorrow is another day, I intend to be there come what may
I have 42 cliches in my life
My future is not written, my destiny awaits
Standing in a minefield spinning plates

Can’t let them fall down to blow up in my face
I’m standing in a minefield spinning plates

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Do have your finger in every pie
Keep the wolf from the door, we all know the score
You are the apple of my eye
My future is not written, my destiny awaits
Standing in a minefield spinning plates
​
Can’t let them fall down to blow up in my face
I’m standing in a minefield spinning plates.

​George’s Dining Room & Bar in Worsley have welcomed a team of volunteers and visitors from the Booth Centre, a day centre supporting homeless people in Manchester.
 
George’s and the Booth Centre have a strong connection thanks to the work of Foodinate, a restaurant initiative who provide meals for those in need and help with the fight against food poverty. George’s have three dishes on the menu – a starter of Spring Pea Soup, the main course Chalk Stream Trout and Duck Egg Crème Brulee dessert. When a diner orders one of these dishes, a meal is donated to the Booth Centre.
 
On Wednesday, George’s invited four people from the Booth Centre to experience life in the kitchen at George’s whilst supporting the Booth Centre’s catering training programme, helping people develop skills and confidence to gain work in the catering industry.
 
Urbanus Kinuthir and Megos Haile, who are both kitchen assistant volunteers at the Booth Centre, joined Head Chef Joe Mcleod in the George’s kitchen to prepare the Foodinate meals for their fellow Booth Centre visitors. Barry Lundy, Kitchen Supervisor at the Booth Centre was served alongside kitchen assistant volunteer Simon Ewiwilem.
 
Urbanus and Megus learnt how to fillet and debone a whole trout, produce a citrus mayonnaise and make the pea soup from scratch. Vital skills that can be taken back to the kitchen of the Booth Centre and presented to their visitors, ensuring they are offered a nutritious and varied menu.
 
Booth Centre kitchen supervisor Barry was pleased to have a day off! He said: “It was great to be able to visit George’s, see how their kitchen works and the efforts behind preparing their Foodinate dishes. Urbanus and Megus did a fantastic job and I was more than happy to sample their creations!”
 
Meanwhile, Head Chef Joe felt grateful to be able to help the Booth Centre and highlight the work of Foodinate. He said: “It’s so important for us at George’s to give back to the community and demonstrate the hard work of the volunteers at the Booth Centre. Having the guys in the kitchen making the Foodinate meals is an ideal way to pass on our skills and experience and I hope they will be able to use what they learnt for many years to come.”
 
George’s is co-owned by footballing legend Ryan Giggs. Speaking about the visit, he said: “I’m so pleased to be able to offer the Booth Centre our support, through Foodinate and our loyal customers we have donated thousands of meals to those in need. The guys did a great job in the kitchen today and we know where to look when we’re next recruiting!”

“You see the trouble but you don’t understand my struggle.”
 
A new collaboration between people who have experienced homelessness and local artists will be shown at the People's History Museum on Monday 11 June 2018 as part of Manchester Histories Festival.
 
'Moving Panoramas' will combine visual arts with original songwriting to create a performance piece centred around scrolling artworks that reflect on our past but also give voice to experiences in the present. 
 
Arts organisation arthur+martha’s lead artist Lois Blackburn and singer songwriter Matt Hill (Quiet Loner) have worked with people from the Booth Centre, a day centre in Manchester for those who have experienced homelessness. Taking inspiration from the People's History Museum they have created songs and artworks that explore the rich history of Manchester's streets as well as their own personal histories and stories.
 
As the project began it became clear that museums are places some homeless people like to go to. One of the project participants said “I've visited more museums since I've been homeless than I ever did before”. The People's History Museum with its story of the struggles of ordinary working people provided lots of ideas that have been expanded and explored to create the new work.
 
The songs and artworks created speak of 21st century issues such as debt, living in poverty and lack of representation. They also draw parallels with similar struggles from the 19th and 20th centuries.  The idea of struggle was one of the main themes to emerge. Gary from Salford who was recently homeless said of the Booth Centre “Everyone who comes here finds something a struggle, from the past, present or the future.” Gary later reflected on that in lyrics for a song he wrote called 'I've seen you there' - “I’ve seen you there but you have no time to spare. You see the trouble but you don’t understand my struggle.”
 
The performance, taking place from 12.00pm to 1.00pm on Monday 11 June 2018, will be filmed and will feature some of the project participants from the Booth Centre performing alongside the scrolling artworks. The performance has been created in response to the People’s History Museum’s collections, and on issues within their exhibition Represent! Voices 100 Years On which runs from Saturday 2 June 2018 to Sunday 3 February 2019. The project has been supported by a grant from Arts Council England. 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, will show his support for local homeless charity the Booth Centre by joining its team for the Great Manchester Run on Sunday 20th May.  
 
To highlight the ongoing work to support frontline projects which aim to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping across the city-region, the Mayor will run alongside visitors, staff, volunteers and supporters of the charity as part of Team Booth Centre.
 
Following his election as Mayor last year, Andy announced his goal to end the need for rough sleeping across Greater Manchester by 2020 and reduce homelessness across the city-region. Each month he donates 15% of his salary to the Mayor’s Homelessness Fund, which aims to provide vital support for local charities combating the prevalent issue of homelessness. The fund has raised more than £107,000 so far in aid of these charities.
 
In the past year the Mayor has shown support for the work of the Booth Centre which brings about positive, long-term change in the homeless community by providing advice on finding permanent accommodation, education and training, as well as helping to secure employment. Andy has visited the Centre many times, taking the time to consult with visitors who are homeless or sleeping rough on the streets.
 
Andy will be joining a team of 140 Booth Centre runners on Sunday 20th May to participate in the Great Manchester Run, an event which is now in its 16th year.
 
Andy Burnham said: “Greater Manchester is developing genuinely innovative solutions to tackling homelessness. We are building a movement for change across our city-region with the clear goal of ending the need for rough sleeping here by 2020.
 
“I’ve seen first-hand the work that the Booth Centre is doing to transform the lives of homeless people, those rough sleeping and those at risk of homelessness in Greater Manchester.
 
“The Centre’s approach, helping to tackle this humanitarian crisis on the streets of our city-region, is to be commended. I wanted to show my support for what they do. It is an honour to be running with the visitors, staff, volunteers and supporters, all of whom are having such a positive impact on the lives of so many who need help and support.”
 
Amanda Croome, CEO at the Booth Centre commented: “Andy recognises the scale of homelessness across the city and this is an issue that we are working tirelessly to address here at the Centre. We are forever grateful for his support.
 
“By taking part in the Great Manchester Run, Andy and our team will be raising awareness and vital funds which will enable us to help even more vulnerable people rebuild their lives.”
 
To support Team Booth Centre and the charity’s work helping homeless people in the city, visit www.justgiving.com/boothcentregmr

A project by the Booth Centre, a homeless day centre in Manchester, to help local people become more active and healthier has won backing from Sport England.
 
The Booth Centre has been awarded funding as part of Sport England’s strategy to improve people’s health and mental wellbeing through sport and activity.
 
Sport England is funding a wide range of projects around the country, using varying approaches to help people to feel healthier, happier, more confident and able to cope with life’s pressures, or more connected to their families and communities.
 
Sport England research shows that a third of people on low incomes are inactive, meaning they do less than 30 minutes of exercise that gets them slightly out of breath each week. And inactivity in people on a low income is twice that of people on a high income.
 
The Booth Centre in Manchester supports people who are homeless, or with experience of homelessness, to move into sustainable accommodation, improve their health, find employment and take steps to build a more positive future. With the support of the funding from Sport England, the Booth Centre will be able to offer more people the opportunity to take part in sports activities by providing free sessions, purchasing clothing and equipment and working in partnership with sporting experts and other community organisations.
 
Booth Centre’s CEO, Amanda Croome, said: “We’re delighted to have this support from Sport England to enhance our sports programme at the Booth Centre. We have seen the transformative impact that being able to access sport has for people’s physical and mental well being, and we want to be able to help more people who visit our centre to get involved in new activities. It really can be a life changing opportunity for the people we support.”
 
Darren, 48 and from Manchester, is a volunteer at the Booth Centre. Darren has been supported by the Booth Centre in the past, and now spends his time helping to run and take part in sports sessions at the centre.
 
Darren said: “Being able to help run and take part in sports activities like table tennis, boxing and running at the Booth Centre has been so beneficial for me personally. It’s not only improved my physical fitness, but also my mental health and confidence, and I’ve been able to develop some new skills. I never thought I’d be able to try archery for example, it’s a lot of fun! The sessions are free so it takes the cost away for people, which makes it all more accessible. The centre has helped me get involved in sports that I otherwise wouldn’t have tried and at my age, it’s really important to keep a healthy body and mind.”
 
Sport England Executive Director, Mike Diaper, said: “The Booth Centre has a strong track record of working with their local community and we’re very excited by how their project could make such a positive difference to people’s lives.
 
“We know that people on a low income can face many pressures that make it difficult for them to be as active as they would like to be. So we’re working with community-focused organisations across the country to find ways to help people fit physical activity into their lives in ways that work for them.
 
“The lessons we learn from this local project will really help to shape our work with similar groups across the country.”

Find out more about joining the Booth Centre's running team in this year's Great Manchester Run!

Jimmy had been married with two children and self-employed in the steel construction industry. He went through a difficult divorce that left him homeless. A number of jobs did not come through and he ended up living in his car and driving about the country looking for work. His last job left him in the Manchester area, but no further work arose. He ended up having to abandon his car as he had no money to run it or park it.

He slept rough in Manchester city centre for approximately six months and this is how he first accessed the Booth Centre. He found employment, with help from the Booth Centre and Business in the Community whilst rough sleeping, which enabled him to gain access to a bed and breakfast for employed people. He lived in the bed and breakfast for two years and worked on and off in steel construction.

He then developed a serious hernia that prevented him from being able to work and he started accessing the Booth Centre again. His favourite activity is art, which is something he has been passionate about his entire life. He has also volunteered in the kitchen and recently took part in a self-defence class. Jimmy also frequently uses our advice service and since April 2017 he has been working with one of our Project Workers on helping him to secure a long term home and to achieve his long term goals.

He was supported by the Booth Centre to gain access to welfare benefits. However, he had fallen into rent arrears with the bed and breakfast and was in danger of becoming street homeless once again. The Booth Centre was able to negotiate with the bed and breakfast owner to allow him to stay there through claiming Housing Benefit. A small Big Change application was successful to pay off the rent arrears and stop him from being evicted onto the streets.

He was supported at the Booth Centre to register on Manchester Move and through bidding he successfully secured an unfurnished over 55s flat. This was life changing for him as it meant he had a safe and secure home for life. He was supported to set up the tenancy. This involved practical measures such as setting up utility providers, claiming housing benefit and purchasing household items using a Big Change grant. In September he reached pension age and we helped him to claim his pension.

Jimmy told us at Christmas that he feels secure in his flat and that it is the first time in a long time he felt he could focus on things important to him, like contacting his sister who he hasn’t spoken to for many years, rather than just getting by. He is also interested in pursuing art classes where he could gain a qualification. This is a testament to the goals and aspirations people can plan and aspire to once they are supported past the practical difficulties they are facing, and discover or rediscover their strengths and capabilities.