“It puts food in my belly every single day, says Brian, who uses voluntary outreach group Two Brews, who provide food to rough sleepers in Salford every day of the year. He adds: “Basically, I would be lost without them.”
The group first took to the streets on Christmas Day, 2020, during Covid lockdown and associated restrictions to provide hot meals, hot and cold drinks, snacks, clothing and support to the local homeless community.
Since then they have provided help 365 days a year and Two Brews founder and admin, Dave Evans, says the group couldn’t continue without its volunteer workforce.
He said: “It’s grown so big in such a short space of time, we couldn’t stop.”
Volunteer Dean McDonald commented: “Someone once asked me if I get paid for it, I actually stopped and thought about it.
“For me, my payment doing this, is seeing smiles on faces – I’m going to continue doing this for as long as possible.”
Jack Grech, another volunteer who studies social work, said: “I like bringing a smile to people’s faces; it brings a smile to mine as well.”
And another volunteer, Joe Stead, said: “We get to make friends, learn about their stories – I enjoy coming here.”
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has put in place a Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2021-2026. It lays out a long-term vision to reduce the number of people finding themselves at risk of being homeless.
Programmes such as A Bed Every Night, Housing First and the Social Impact Bond for Entrenched Rough Sleepers have already made an impact.
Dave concludes: “It’s just to help people really – the less fortunate people than you. I’d love no one to be sleeping on the streets of Manchester.”
“If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody. Never look down on anyone unless you are helping them up.”
Keep up with and support Two Brews here.
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