On Friday 8th November 2019, the BCL Legal Manchester team will sleep rough to support locally-based charity, the Booth Centre; in an attempt to raise money for the Manchester homeless community – our community.

While walking to work every morning, witnessing people who are sleeping in doorways, on benches and on the side of the road is unavoidable.

Homelessness and rough-sleeping is on the rise again, with more spending and welfare cuts to come. As of 2019, the number of people sleeping rough in Manchester has risen dramatically: a 31% increase in the last year alone. Breaking the cycle of homelessness is extremely difficult.

The Booth Centre has operated for over 20 years. Its main aim is to provide support and opportunity to homeless people by helping them overcome issues that has led to a life on the streets. 

The team helps people enter into employment, education, training or voluntary work; within the community and when the person’s ready. The centre provides healthy and nutritious meals, a safe and friendly environment and the opportunity for people to volunteer in the kitchen and gain practical work-based skills. Other skills gained at the centre include photography, creative writing, music and drama.

At BCL Legal, we’re all fortunate enough to have an enjoyable job within a fantastic business. We each have strong support networks and a place to call home – a roof over our head each night. 

If all it takes is spending just one night sleeping on the streets to raise important funds for the Booth Centre, we’re doing it! It’s everyone’s responsibility to tackle the increasing rate of homelessness within our community. This being said, it won’t be easy. We’ll experience the harsh reality of those living on the streets. It’s going to be cold and each BCL’er will sleep with no shelter on a  cardboard box outside the cathedral. 

We hope to raise at least £2000.

If you can sponsor us - any amount, no matter how small - we'll be eternally grateful. The money raised allows the Booth Centre to continue its amazing and important work.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.