The Station is home to We Shall Overcome in Tameside, providing a support hub as well as being a community pub. We were closed as a pub for over two years during the Covid pandemic, during which time the WSO family made sure that we were still able to open this door every single day to provide packed lunches for the homeless, food parcels to people in food poverty, start up packs for those moving into new homes from the night shelter and also care packs for those who were self isolating and vulnerable.

When we were able to reopen in May 2022, we took the decision to become a "HubPub" - from Monday to Thursday we are closed as a pub, but busier than we have ever been supporting those who need us - and with the cost of living crisis an even bigger challenge than Covid was. During those days we also offer a safe and private space for key workers supporting some of the most vulnerable of all to meet and offer practical support and advice.

We ARE also delighted to be back open as a community pub Friday to Sunday, and on those three days we still offer the food and support at the door as well as supporting local live music which in turn supports the work we do.

This fundraising is to cover the costs of the hub itself for a full year - which includes half the weekly rent for the building, along with the electricity, phone and other essentials used specifically for the We Shall Overcome work carried out here.

In the event that we raise anything in excess of this amount - the balance would be used for additional support for the people who come to us for help.

We Shall Overcome is NOT a registered charity - we are a community group which is run by volunteers, here at The Station those are people who were themselves homeless and are now paying it forward to help others.

We are currently feeding around 100 a day, though that number is rising as we are seeing the need due to genuine food poverty rise - and that means that we are not just supporting the homeless now, but also helping people who without our help would be faced with choices that would risk them becoming homeless - Prevention is at least as important as supporting those already in that situation.

I was hoping that we wouldn't have to raise funds for the hub this year - but the rising costs for the pub means that although that can hang on in it's own right, it cannot manage to sustain the hub on the days that we are purely a community resource.

As always - the hugest thanks to everyone who is helping us to keep this going - with love and solidarity always from Me, Andy, all our team and all our lads and lasses at the door each day - and Walter the WSO Pub Dog too!

xxx