Donate to support Tameside’s homeless

THE TEAM at The Town House, the Ashton homeless facility, are asking for donations of essential items to support people using the facility throughout the winter months and beyond.

The team are looking for store cupboard items like tinned food, biscuits, coffee, cereal, pasta; toiletries; household items including washing-up liquid, sponges and dishcloths; and socks, gloves, hats and warm-packs.

The donations will be for clients staying overnight at the venue, rough sleepers, anyone classed as hidden homeless and people using outreach services. Donations may be used for people accessing services but also in starter packs for those moving into their own homes.

The starter packs give clients a positive start to life in their own homes with items they need to sustain themselves and a tenancy.

The Town House has been open since December 2020 providing homeless people in Tameside with a place to stay. The venue, which has 30-35 clients accessing a bed every night, opened to respond to the growing need for homeless support in Tameside with capacity for beds and rooms to grow further.

When clients arrive at The Town House they receive their own hygiene pack so they don’t have to ask for any items that are a basic commodity.

Cllr John Taylor, Tameside Council Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Homelessness & Inclusivity, said: “The Town House plays a vital role supporting people who may be in financial crisis and at very real risk of street homelessness and any donations you can provide will support some of the most vulnerable in our community. Heat, food and clothing isn’t always their priority whilst they try desperately to keep a roof over their heads and they may otherwise be going without.

“People often attend the Town House with nothing but the clothes they are wearing, so receiving a hat, gloves and socks can really help them during the colder months.”

Anyone who can donate any gratefully received items should take them to the below locations:

• The Town House, Walsingham House, St Ann’s Church, Burlington St (from 10am – 6pm each day)
• The Station Pub, 2 Warrington St, Ashton (from 12pm – 4pm each day).