Manchester homelessness group searches for new and bigger premises - here’s how you can help

A Manchester homelessness charity is putting out a public appeal for help as it desperately searches for a new base.

Mad Dogs Homeless Project is currently working out of two units in Old Trafford but is experiencing problems including vermin.

It is therefore looking for premises where it can continue its work providing hot meals and drinks to Manchester rough sleepers seven evenings a week.

Why does Mad Dogs Homeless Project want to move and what is it looking for?

Mad Dogs Homeless Project is currently based in two units in the Old Trafford area of Manchester but is looking for a single premises.

The organisation is also experiencing problems with vermin where it is, which is a handicap as storing and preparing food to give out to rough sleepers is a major part of its work.

Previously Mad Dogs was based above a pub in Stretford but had to move out of that during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Founder Jim Hutton says the organisation would consider an empty unit or somewhere with a fitted kitchen and office space.

Mad Dogs would also be happy to be based anywhere within a reasonable distance of Manchester city centre.

But with the amount the organisation has to spend finding somewhere suitable has so far proven tricky, Jim admitted.

He is therefore appealing for anyone who might have spare space or know of somewhere suitable that would be happy to accommodate Mad Dogs to come forward and speak to him.

What has Mad Dogs Homeless Project said about its premises search?

Jim said: “We have been finding it really difficult. We’ve been looking about but the prices of some properties are quite high at the moment.

“I really want us to have a bigger place too, between 700 and 1,000 square feet would be ideal.

“We would be happy to consider anywhere close to Manchester and open to most options.

“There must be somewhere that can offer charitable space or might be willing to let us have it for a reduced fee.

“At the moment our situation is making our work really difficult. A lot of it involves food and my place is full to the gunnels. All the food is currently split between three different places.”

What does Mad Dogs Homeless Project do?

Jim and his team at Mad Dogs support homeless people in Greater Manchester seven nights a week.

They head out with meals each evening and deliver them to rough sleepers and also to those in hostels or other temporary accommodation who do not have any cooking facilities.

Generally a typical evening run involves visiting Sale, Urmston, Stretford, Chorlton, Didsbury and Fallowfield before heading up Wilmslow Road to the hostels and hotels there.

Mad Dogs also helps people who have ended up on the streets but want to get a roof over their heads by relaying information to local councils for them to be supported.