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Over the past few months, Sam has got to know a man called Sean and his dog Mr Bruce. Despite being homeless, Sean is friendly, always grateful for a coffee or sandwich and keen to have a chat whenever she stops by. Mr Bruce wags his tail whenever he sees Sam now, must be something to do with the dog treats! Sean and Mr Bruce spend their days under the bridge by Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop, relying on the kindness of strangers and organisations such as the Booth Centre in order to get by.

Unfortunately, Sean's situation is not unique. In fact, Manchester's homeless crisis is only getting worse.

Last year, over 85,000 people were on the waiting list for council housing in Greater Manchester. The lack of housing, cuts to services and closures of night shelters in the city has created an unmanageable situation for Manchester's long-term homeless.

The Booth Centre is an organisation that offers meals, advice and training to around 170 people each week. Visitors at the centre are split between rough-sleepers, people in temporary accommodation and those who have recently been housed but are struggling to cope with the demands of a normal lifestyle.

http://www.boothcentre.org.uk/

The Booth Centre organises the Manchester Sleepout to highlight some of the hardships that homeless people have to face every single night and to raise vital funds for the Booth Centre. So on Friday 7th November, we will be taking part and sleeping rough for the night, outside the Manchester Cathedral.

You can find out more about the event here:

http://www.boothcentre.org.uk/sleepout.html

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