Somehow, I got into volunteering for Shelter, one of the big players in the huge effort in Manchester to tackle homelessness.

I get to watch the incredible work of Shelter engagement workers.  And it is to support them that I’m doing the Manchester Sleep Walk, along with 5 other other Shelter volunteers, and asking for your sponsorship.

None of us gets through life without a little help.  At some stage, we all face an emergency and need someone to stop us falling below the line.

For those facing homelessness, the problems can be multiple and unique so Shelter runs a peer mentor scheme where volunteers assist the professional engagement workers.   That's what I signed up for.  Ideally, a peer mentor has experience of the challenges Shelter service users face.  If you know me, you’ll question my cred, for sure, but they took me on anyway and I’m giving it my best shot.  Peer mentors are there to aid the professional engagement workers, who are the heroes of this scheme, the folks who reach out to individuals on the street, get them into a hostel, move them on to accommodation, get them the health and social support they need, keep them off the streets.

We’re doing a 10k night time walk round Manchester on the 11th December.  Can you sponsor us?