Stagecoach Manchester has donated £100,000 to a range of grassroots charitable organisations across Greater Manchester to support efforts in tackling homelessness. The funding has been distributed equally among ten local charities, each receiving £10,000 to help deliver vital services to people experiencing homelessness in the region.
Before making the donation, Stagecoach Manchester worked closely with the Manchester Homelessness Partnership to identify organisations that would benefit most from the funding. The operator also partnered with Forever Manchester to establish and coordinate the £100,000 community fund, ensuring that the support would have a meaningful and direct impact at grassroots level.
The ten organisations benefiting from the donation are:
- Albert Kennedy Trust
- Barnabus
- Booth Centre
- Coffee4Craig
- Lifeshare
- Manchester Action in Street Health
- Mustard Tree
- On the Out CIC
- Reach Out to the Community
- Supporting People in Need
The funding is already being actively used across Greater Manchester to support a variety of essential services. These include providing basic necessities such as food, clothing, and hygiene support, as well as funding longer term initiatives. For example, Supporting People in Need is developing a wellbeing garden to support mental health and recovery, while On the Out CIC is using the funds to help cover the salary of part-time staff who work closely with vulnerable individuals, offering tailored support and guidance.
Stagecoach Manchester Managing Director Rob Jones highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating that delivering social value is a key priority for the organisation. He acknowledged the increasing demand for homelessness services across the region and emphasised the importance of responding to that need in a practical and impactful way.
As part of its role within the Bee Network partnership, Stagecoach Manchester aimed to ensure the donation created real and lasting change during a time when many support services are under significant pressure. By working in collaboration with the Manchester Homelessness Partnership and Forever Manchester, the company was able to gain valuable insight into how best to direct the funding to support those most in need.
Rob Jones added that it was particularly meaningful to hear directly from local organisations about how the funding would be used on the ground, reinforcing the importance of community led support and partnership working.
The Manchester Homelessness Partnership, which is approaching its tenth anniversary in 2026, also welcomed the contribution. Chair Dr Ruth Thompson emphasised that support from businesses such as Stagecoach plays a vital role in the collective effort to address rough sleeping and homelessness across Manchester. She highlighted that partnerships between the public, private, and voluntary sectors remain essential in delivering long term solutions.
This initiative reflects a growing commitment among organisations in Greater Manchester to work together in addressing homelessness and supporting some of the most vulnerable members of society. Through targeted funding and collaborative action, the aim is to create sustainable impact and improve lives across the region.
