The Lighthouse Project social services in Middleton

The Lighthouse Project in Middleton helps the low income. Services include free food, money management, financial help from Universal Credit, employment tips and other aid.

Several services are provided by The Lighthouse Project to the poor, jobless, vulnerable, and anyone in need of help. The charity supports the needy across Manchester with an aim on addressing poverty in the Middleton region as well as tackling social poverty. Information on the assistance programmes and schemes are below.

One of the main services in on addressing hunger. The charity provides free food, serves hot meals from the café, and volunteers also meet with client to address other needs, whether it is housing or employment. While the client is getting a meal or parcel of groceries, they can also have their needs around welfare benefits covered, learn about reducing debt, and the many other services run as noted below.

The Lighthouse Project is part of the Trussell Trust network of food banks. It is but one location in the West Midlands. All clients need to have a voucher in place in order to get a parcel of emergency food. But it may have up to 3 days of supplies, including fruits, milk, dairy, and non-perishable items as well.

Volunteers at The Lighthouse Project also help clients apply for benefits. They will complete forms, go over the welfare and housing schemes available, and help the client find support for their family as they apply for financial assistance from Manchester welfare fund schemes

As part of this process, the Universal Credit has been rolled out in Manchester, and this grant based welfare scheme replaces many of the other welfare programmes. The grants from it need to help pay for, and cover, energy costs, rent, and other bills the client may have, and the Lighthouse Project can cover how it works and how to apply.

Many people on Universal Credit need help in managing their one government welfare payment which is given to them monthly. Those funds need to last all month long. As Universal Credit now needs to pay for all of their bills, and the money can go quickly. This is where the free money management classes can be helpful. They not only show clients how to budget for say rent, spend money on food, etc. but they also cover debt reduction and other money matters. All of the advice from the Middleton Lighthouse Project is free for the client.

Employment is a key aim of the Lighthouse Project. The charity believes, as do many experts, that this is the best solution to hunger, poverty, and homelessness among other financial challenges. A decent job with a livable wage will help the family afford their bills. The Lighthouse will there provide classes, workshops on CV, and other employment resources. They also help people find jobs in the Middleton or West Midlands area. Workshops include:

• Classes on creating cover letters and CVs.
• Online job hunting and free use of computers in the centre. Use a computer while eating a hot meal!
• Information for older jobseekers who are re-entering the workforce.
• Workshops at the Lighthouse on emailing, employability, and more.

Staff, as well as volunteers, address these employment needs. There are also programmes that can be done on the Lighthouse website, as well as tips on how to find a job listed there.

Anyone can drop in at The Lighthouse Project for support. The post address is S6b/c Middleton Shopping Centre, Limetrees Road, Middleton, M24 4EL. Or if you would rather ring the charity to learn more about what they can do, the number is 0161 643 1163.