LIFESHARE
ADVICE · INFORMATION · SUPPORT

Lifeshare Christmas Project

It is impossible to assess the full impact of our Christmas project - who can say how much misery is alleviated or whether a life is saved?

What we do know is that:

Whilst Christmas brings joy to many, for others it is a time of loneliness, hardship and depression - when the suicide rate traditionally peaks.

The likelihood of a homeless person dying as a result of suicide is approximately 35 times higher than the norm.

Manchester has the highest rate of suicide among young men in the country, with a ratio of 3:1 male to female. Homeless people are predominantly young males.

The factors most closely associated with homelessness are also those most closely associated with suicide: poverty, alcohol dependency, substance misuse, mental illness, and relationship breakdown.

What we offer

At Christmas, when homeless and disadvantaged people need comfort and support more than any other time, everything is closing. The Lifeshare Christmas project offers a refuge from the exaggerated isolation. Among some of the things we can provide are:

Food and shelter - three cooked meals are provided every day, with a vegetarian alternative.

Company and activities - TV, music, table tennis, board games and volunteers to lend a listening ear.

Medical centre - with a doctor and nurse or first aider, dentist, podiatrist.

Welfare and housing advice - Assistance with varied problems: e.g.: from emergency accommodation to benefits

Entertainment - Volunteer karaoke, bands, musicians, comics & vocalists.

A Festive Air - A Happy Christmas vibe with trees, crackers and Santa's sack.

http://www.homelessness.org.uk
© 1998-2005 Lifeshare Ltd