Our community

Alexandra arrived in the UK in 2020 as an EU national and was granted pre-settled status. A medical graduate from overseas, she was enrolled in a UK conversion course. Despite having lived in the UK for over four years, she faced significant barriers upon moving to Manchester in 2024, as Alexandra has complex needs and communication difficulties, however at the time had no formal diagnosis. After coming to the Centre, she was referred to a homeless mental health team for assessment. While street homeless, she was initially denied council support due to the incorrect assumption that her visa status made her ineligible to claim public funds. Her initial requests for homelessness assessments were either ignored or resulted in suggestions to relocate abroad to live with family. She was refused Universal Credit due her pre-settled status, so the Restricted Eligibility Support Service (RESS) Project team claimed the Migrant Destitution Fund for her.

With no access to statutory support, Alexandra entered into a high-risk cohabiting relationship out of necessity. After she disclosed to the Booth Centre team that her partner was controlling, we sought a police disclosure, which revealed the partner’s history of violent and abusive incidents. Unfortunately, at this time, Alexandra felt unable to leave, as the alternative would be to return to the streets. A formal safeguarding process was opened which introduced new professionals offering specialist support. A ‘no recourse to public funds’ refuge place was found for Alexandra and a legal team successfully challenged the council’s decision that she was not eligible for accommodation while she had pre-settled status.

With Alexandra now safely accommodated, the RESS team were able to focus on gathering evidence of her residence in the UK. At the start of December 2025, one month after she fulfilled the 5 years’ residence requirement, Alexandra was granted full settled status. With this in place, Manchester Council accepted their duty to accommodate her, and a new Universal Credit claim was made for her. Alexandra continues to attend the Centre on occasion, to eat with friends, or to attend well-being sessions, but is now in a safe and stable situation.

When joining the Trailblazer programme, Jeff was 60 years old and had not been in employment since 1982. Although currently in his own tenancy, he has faced consistent housing insecurity, and developed significant anxiety, social isolation and substance misuse issues. He has recently been facing increased pressure from the Job Centre to move closer towards work. They have provided him with a laptop and asked him to use this to develop his IT skills and look for work, but he reached out to the Navigators at the Booth Centre, feeling he was ill-equipped to fulfil these commitments. This added pressure was having a negative impact on his emotional wellbeing, and he was finding himself more isolated at a time where he was expected to get out and be more proactive by his work coach.

Within a few weeks of enrolling on the Trailblazer program, Jeff has been supported to register for a beginner’s course in IT skills and has been attending Employment and Skills sessions at the centre to practice using his laptop. Through sessions with his Navigator, he has identified that his ideal employment goal is to work in Health & Social Care, supporting people with Learning Difficulties. Jeff identified that his lack of formal qualifications was a barrier and was supported to register for some courses with MAES, with a view to achieving GCSEs in Maths and English. Whilst he awaits enrolment, he utilised his personal budget to access some study books and was supported to develop a manageable plan to make a start on these. Jeff has also been able to access a weekly bus pass from his Navigator, and reports feeling less isolated, regularly attending activities at the Booth Centre and considering attending peer support groups around his anxiety and substance misuse.

Now, Jeff is looking forward to getting started on his Maths and English qualifications and continuing to combat social isolation through attending groups and reconnecting with friends. He has started going hiking with old friends and reports positive changes in his emotional wellbeing. In his most recent 1-1, Jeff told his Navigator that he feels positive and hopeful for the future for the first time in as long as he can remember.

Jack has been coming to the Booth Centre for a couple of years – he’s 65 years old, has been living in Manchester for 7 years. He had previously lived in Manchester 30 years ago and moved back to Manchester as he knew he could find a community and enjoy himself.

Every morning, Jack comes for breakfast at the Centre, then takes part in the activities – his preference is Art or Philosophy clubs. As a vegetarian, Jack likes to have beans, on toast, or eggs, for his breakfast for a good source of protein, then will take the vegetarian option at lunchtime.

He feels that the meals are nutritious, as you always get a range of vegetables or salad, and he particularly enjoys when we serve falafel as the vegetarian option.

Around six years ago, Anthony found himself in Manchester with nowhere to live, with no resources, and was sleeping in a doorway. He knew where the Big Issue office was, and made his way there to see if they could help – they sent him to the Booth Centre, and forever changed the trajectory of his life.

In the Centre, Anthony found that he was taking part in activities that didn’t just keep him occupied, but that made him feel part of a bigger and wider community. He began attending every activity session – decorating the Centre in Art Club, performing with the theatre group at the time. With support, and consistency, Anthony found himself in accommodation, then back in full time employment, which he maintains to this day. As often as he can, Anthony comes back to the Centre for activities, now leading Philosophy sessions during Richard’s summer holidays.

After twenty-plus years abroad, Tim returned home to the UK in July 2024 with minimal funds and work prospects that didn’t pan out. After using the last of his money staying in cheap accommodation, he eventually ran out of money and found himself on the streets with his luggage.

Tim sought help at a local Salvation Army office, where he was directed to the Booth Centre. For the next few weeks, he experienced periods of rough sleeping, but the Booth Centre became his daily anchor. Beyond providing breakfast and lunch, the Centre’s mental health support provided critical care at a time when the stress of homelessness was pushing him towards a major crisis.

After roughly a month of support, the Booth Centre was able to source accommodation that suited Tim’s needs, and he was able to move into a safe environment where he was no longer facing street homelessness and the associated anxiety. With the support of his new accommodation provide and the Centre, Tim was able to navigate tasks that had previously been impossible: registering with a GP, opening a bank account, and establishing habitual residence to access Universal Credit. Most importantly, Tim was able to stabilise his mental health with the right medication.

Within a few months, the groundwork laid by the Booth Centre resulted in the offer of a permanent flat for Tim and were able to help kit out the new home with essentials.

Michael first came to the Booth Centre while experiencing homelessness and sleeping in his car, struggling with significant anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. What began as a search for a hot meal became a long-term journey of personal growth.

From his initial visits, he found the welcoming environment and genuine human connection provided by the staff helped him feel seen and valued. This support system also led to practical action: staff members assisted him in securing stable accommodation and facilitated connections with partner organizations to broaden his support network.

Michael is a hard worker, and almost immediately became a key volunteer in the Centre. By working in the kitchen and serving the community, he rediscovered a sense of purpose and contentment, finding that the ability to give back was deeply fulfilling even during his own period of hardship.

The centre further supported his development through a variety of structured activities, including completing the CSCS card course with the Employability team.

Currently, he is enrolled in a railway engineering course that aligns with his long-term career ambitions. He credits the Centre with providing the stability and care necessary to move from a state of crisis to education, employment, and improved mental well-being.