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Council to offer support for ‘anyone struggling’ in Manchester over Christmas

Manchester City Council wants to "ensure people can turn to us" over the festive period.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 18th December 2023

Manchester City Council has committed to offering support to “anyone struggling” in the city region over the festive period.

While Christmas may only be just over a week away now, and the spirit of the season is really starting to set in for many, it’s sadly not always ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ for everyone – especially with the rising cost of living crisis unfortunately continuing to make its impact felt across Greater Manchester and throughout the UK.

Here in Manchester, Council figures show that more than 100,000 households have been put at risk in some way due to the cost of living crisis, whether that be accessing food, paying bills, or slipping into financial trouble.

This is why Manchester City Council is setting out to offer as much support as it can over Christmas.

Councillors say that the difficulties thousands of Mancunians have faced on a daily basis have been “plain to see” over the last few years.

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But in spite of what it has referred to as “the failings” from the UK central Government in delivering “tangible and lasting support” for those who need it most, the Council says it has has “resolved to ensure that people can turn to us”.

So, what support is available to Manchester residents this winter then? Here’s everything you need to know.

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Cost of Living Advice Line

Back in 2022, the Council started Cost of Living Advice Line, which provides Manchester residents with a number to call if they are struggling with a range of issues such as paying bills, debt advice, access to services, food support, and more.

That number is still live and can be reached on 0800 023 2692, with operators remaining on the line to support anyone who needs help or advice.

Warm Welcome Spaces

Warm Welcome Spaces are places where people can go to take shelter in a warm and judgement free location.

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This year, all of Manchester’s libraries are open to those in need, for as long as they need them, with a range of other businesses and organisations across the Greater Manchester region having also put themselves forward for the scheme too.

Find out more about Warm Welcome Spaces here.

‘Helping Hands’ & ‘Winter Warmth’ Advice Guides

More than 15,000 ‘Helping Hands’ Advice Guides – which detail the support available for people during the winter – have been produced and will be available across the city in locations such as libraries, Sure Start Centres, and Early Help Hubs.

‘Winter Warmth’ advice leaflets are also being made available, which inform people how they can access support if they need help paying their heating bills, where they can go to stay warm for free in Manchester, and how to stay healthy during the cold weather.

Social Tariffs

‘Social Tariffs’ are also available for people who are in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit, which allow them to access reduced-price internet or mobile phone rates.

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The Holiday Activity Fund Programme

Additional support has also been made available by the Council for families who struggle when schools are out via The Holiday Activity Fund Programme.

Running throughout the school Christmas holiday period, this scheme provides free activities and shared experiences for children aged five to 16, with free meals provided throughout the day to “fill a gap” which would normally be provided via a free school meal.

Manchester secures £5.2m funding to build ‘supported accommodation’ for rough sleepers

The Council has outlined its festive season support options just a week after it was revealed that the city has secured £5.2 million in funding to build new ‘supported accommodation’ designed to house rough sleepers, and also comes after it published its plan back in November to get rough sleepers off the streets of Manchester and into temporary accommodation this winter.

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Find out more about all the support on offer in Manchester this Christmas over on Manchester City Council’s website here.

Featured Image – Ethel Red (via Flickr)

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Tragedy as two superbike riders die in ‘catastrophic accident’ at Cheshire event

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Tragedy as two riders die in 'catastrophic accident' at Cheshire superbike event

Two riders have tragically died in a ‘chain reaction’ accident at a superbike race in Cheshire.

Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, both died of their injuries following a crash involving 11 riders.

The ‘catastrophic accident’ occurred yesterday at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship superbike race at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

The race was immediately stopped so that trackside medical services could attend to the 11 riders who had fallen.

Due to the ‘extreme severity’ of the incident, the rest of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled.

Two riders lost their lives and another has sustained significant injuries and remains in hospital.

Owen Jenner, 21 years old, was treated trackside and taken to the circuit medical centre , but died from a catastrophic head injury.

Meanwhile Shane Richardson was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries, but died prior to arrival.

Another rider, 47-year-old Tom Tunstall, has also been transferred to hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries.

Five further riders were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries – the remaining involved riders were uninjured.

The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary.

Cheshire Police said in a statement: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon (Monday 5 May).

“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.

“Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled.

“The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29).”

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Featured image: British Superbikes

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Police seize an estimated £6m worth of counterfeit goods from Rochdale industrial units

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Rochdale counterfeit goods

Police have seized an estimated £6 million worth of counterfeit goods from several industrial units in Rochdale.

It comes after the Trading Standards team and officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Rochdale Neighbourhood Policing Team attended a joint visit to a business park, at Crown Top Lane, on the afternoon of Thursday 1 May last week, following the receiving of some intelligence that an Organised Crime Gang from Cheetham Hill had extended their operation and opened another site in Rochdale. 

According to GMP, the visit was part of a ‘targeted operation’ tackling organised crime in the Castleton area of Rochdale. 

When police arrived on the scene, seven units containing counterfeit goods – including a range of branded sports trainers, perfumes, luxury accessories, high-end tech products, and illicit cigarettes – were all discovered.

Two men, aged 29 and 70 were present at the site, and they were subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession and control of counterfeit goods.

Police have seized an estimated £6m worth of counterfeit goods from Rochdale industrial units / Credit: GMP

They have been bailed pending further enquiries, GMP revealed.

Due to the large scale of the boxed goods, the scene was secured overnight and officers and trading standards returned the following day (Friday 2 May) with a HGV to recover all the items.

Police are now appealing to the public for information, with Inspector Anthony Taylor, from GMP’s Rochdale Neighbourhood Policing Team, explaining that it takes any intelligence submitted by the public ‘seriously’ and acts upon it ‘accordingly’.

“If you have any concerns about organised criminals operating in your area, please get in touch with us,” he concluded.

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Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, or via the LiveChat function on the GMP website. 

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. 

Featured Image – GMP

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