Telford homeless charities feeling huge impact of cost of living

Mike Holt and Cerys Toner-Furlong from Maninplace say it's a struggle to support their clients

Two homeless charities say they are facing a "perfect storm" of economic conditions that have seen costs rise and support fall.

Telford-based Stay and Maninplace said that in the last year food donations have dropped by more than half and cash support by 40%.

At the same time, they are facing increased demand for support as more people are evicted and made homeless.

The groups say a fundraising event next month will be "absolutely essential".

Maninplace executive director Mike Holt said they couldn't provide "good" food parcels, because they didn't have the right variety of products.

"We've got some tinned vegetables, we've got potatoes. But there are no ready meals, we're lacking on ready-made pasta bags, we have two boxes of cereal left", he explained.

The charities say the cost of supplies has risen but donations have slumped

The two charities will come together for the Telford Big Sleep Out, a sponsored event taking place on 17 November, in which supporters are being challenged to "make a box your home for the night".

Stay's marketing manager Kay Bennett, said: "The funds raised from the sleep out event are absolutely essential, more so than ever this year with the current economic climate."

With donations on the decline, she explained, the impact of rising costs has become even greater.

"There's been a huge increase in the cost of essential food and emergency supplies given out by the outreach teams such as tents, sleeping bags, hats and scarves," Ms Bennett said.

Mr Holt said he was "worried" by the limitations placed on Maninplace work by the lack of money.

"But we're still here, still responding every day, planting seeds of hope for people when they come at their most desperate," he added.