This year has been dominated by the cost-of-living crisis and economic uncertainty. Along with our staff, volunteers, businesses, and the local community, we have continued the fight against poverty and homelessness in Wigan and Leigh.

Every day we see the amazing resilience of the people we support who are experiencing poverty and homelessness. But the triple threat of a cost-of-living crisis, social care budget cuts and economic recession continues to make their lives increasingly hard.

In 2022, the ONS reported that 28.3% of households in Wigan and Leigh were living in fuel poverty, 6% higher than the national average. The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee was told that 1,091 homelessness applications were submitted to Wigan Council in recent months - an increase of 339 compared to the same time last year.The demand on our services in the last 12 months has been unprecedented. Whilst we must continue to provide immediate relief, emergency beds and food in the short and medium term, we must also look to make systems more resilient for the future.

If the last two years have taught us anything, its that when we work together, we can tackle the greatest challenges of our time and achieve remarkable progress. The summer holidays will put increasing pressure on families and individuals in our borough, who have already reached crisis point. We need your help more than ever. This summer we are calling on our amazing supporters to ask if you can donate just £1 (or any amount you choose) so that we can continue our vital work across the borough.

Your £1 act of kindness will go towards;

Supporting our 'Back To School' initiative so children in Wigan and Leigh have all the essentials for the start of the school year.

Bulk buying for emergency food parcels.

Supporting our A Bed Every Night, scheme through to supported and semi-independent housing, to help people at every stage of their transition from homelessness.

Offering coaching, mentoring and training for adults and young people using our services.

Buying essential items such as toiletries and cleaning products.

Bulk buying fresh food items such as bread, fruit and veg so that everyone can access healthy nutritional meals.

Offering free of charge and subsidised affordable appliances and furniture such as cookers, fridges and washing machines.

It's so easy to donate, simply text BRICK£1 (or BRICK£2, BRICK£3, BRICK£5) to 70480 or donate via our Just Giving Page.

Help us tackle to root causes of poverty and homelessness in Wigan and Leigh.

Thank you for supporting The Brick.

THE BRICK WEBSITE