Forever Manchester is working with UK Community Foundations to distribute funding raised by the National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal. This money is being distributed to community organisations responding to the needs of local communities across Greater Manchester via our Community Support Fund.

The Brick, based in Wigan, is a small project that delivers big results for the community it serves. It offers services to people who are homeless, in poverty or facing debt crisis. As its name suggests, it provides a safe, solid building block for people in crisis to begin to construct a new life and become valuable members of society.

Since 2013 they have operated Wigan’s biggest foodbank giving out approximately 5,000 food parcels every year. They also run three emergency access homeless shelters across Wigan and Leigh to accommodate 57 people in emergency or supported accommodation, as well as running the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme with the aim of providing a safe bed, food and support for anyone rough sleeping.

In the light of the coronavirus pandemic, their primary objective is to protect to the those they work with (many whom are in the most vulnerable category), their staff and volunteers.

The Brick remains open, maintaining all support and continuing to work with people in the most vulnerable categories; delivering vital advice, support and mentoring, practical help (food, clothes, toiletries) and an increased outreach presence in the community. Their foodbank is open on a delivery only non-contact basis, providing pre-packed emergency food parcels to anyone who is referred in crisis.

Their services and ethos of ensuring that no one in our community is left behind has become more relevant than ever. They have adapted not only to the changes in government guidelines, but also to the changes in community need.

The recognise the financial strain being put on individuals affected by unemployment and report a significant increase in the number of calls they receive from people finding themselves financially vulnerable as a result of delayed universal credit claims or having been laid off or furloughed.

By mid-April they had seen a 290% increase in demand for food parcels but a 73% decrease in food donations.

An award from Forever Manchester’s Community Support Fund has helped The Brick purchase varied foods & hygiene items to support the provision of much needed parcels for homeless and vulnerable people in Wigan and Leigh.

More information about The Community Support Fund can be found by clicking the buttons below.


Community Support Fund View the list of all groups funded to date

This year, Forever Manchester is celebrating 30 Years of supporting our local communities. We are currently working with UK Community Foundations to distribute funding raised by the National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal to support community organisations responding to the needs of local communities across Greater Manchester.


Date added: 15th May 2020