Caritas of Salford low income assistance in Manchester

Caritas of Salford is a local charity that provides many services in greater Manchester. Some of the programmes that are involved with are for low income residents. Eligible families may receive assistance with food, help in getting a job, and a significant amount of advice and ongoing support. Most of the support they provide is done so in partnership with other organisations, such as Catholic Welfare Societies, Justice and Peace and Racial Justice, local churches, as well as St Joseph’s Mission to the Deaf in Manchester.

The services are only for people in the diocese and Manchester, but this includes all the way from Didsbury to Clitheroe. Support workers partner with individuals on freeing them from poverty, and this is done in a combination of emergency aid as well as longer term support, such as filling out forms for welfare benefits or employment. The programmes are run from different centres, as noted below, or find additional information on grant programmes.

Collyhurst area is supported by Lalley Community Centre. Many churches and charities partner with Caritas of Salford, and this location will offer advice and help in applying for welfare and schemes. Numerous programmes are provided from the drop in centre as noted below, and the address is St Malachy’s RC Primary School, Eggington St, Manchester M40 7RG, call 0161 205 2754.

• Food, both vouchers are a meal are served.
• Caritas staff will help people find employment and have internet use.
• Assistance and advice in applying for grants and welfare.
• Signposting to not-for-profit organisations and government agencies n Manchester, whether they are council services, Trussell Trust food banks, or other sites.

Bolton drop in has an on-site cafe for a hot meal for the low income and homeless. Other support services are offered to people in poverty, and they can meet with a volunteer as they eat their meal. Clients can get debt advice and information on their welfare rights, or applying for benefits. Appointments are needed to use the Caritas site in Bolton, and the phone number is 01204 370 927.

St. Joseph’s Parish is another Caritas of Salford organisation. This location is only open on Wednesday and Thursday, but it too can provide advice to the low income. Some of the assistance from the centre is as follows.

• Free hot meals in an emergency or a drink.
• Staff offer information on debt arrears and signposting to deposit schemes, welfare  schemes for bills, and other grant programmes.
• There is support for single parents, children, and other vulnerable groups.

The location is at St Joseph’s Presbytery, Peter Street, Bury BL9 6AB. People interested in more information can ring 0161 272 0771.

Practical support, such as clothing and food, is available from the Cornerstone day centre. This location is 04b Demark Road in Manchester, and the phone is 0161 232 8888. Clients who are on a low income, whether families or individuals, can meet with volunteers to get advice.

The centre will provide free clothing, based on donation levels. Other assistance may be a box of groceries or food. So that short term help is provided along with advice on employment and income to help people gain stability. Additional assistance from the centre includes information on affordable housing and signposting to charities and council schemes. People can drop in at the Caritas of Salford partner centre regardless of their age, race, or religion, and find more information on the financial support at Cornerstone day centre.

St Joseph’s Welfare Centre provides assistance in Northern Manchester. An aim is on assisting the vulnerable, such as senior citizens or disabled. Many different services are provided, based on the client’s needs.

• The vulnerable will have someone drop in and visit them, to make sure they are safe.
• Staff from Caritas and St. Joseph’s will negotiate with government offices on housing and accessing welfare grants or vouchers.
• Emergency food parcels, care packages, and other aid is offered too.

For more information, the address of the Caritas partner is Henesy House, Sudell Street, Collyhurst, M4 4JF. The telephone number is 0161 839 7492.