A recent report from a homelessness service made headlines after staff revealed that, with no more bedspaces available, they were giving out bus passes so young adults could sleep in relative safety on night buses instead of the streets.

Church Housing Trust also regularly funds bus passes, but thankfully in a different way. We are able to regularly provide passes to homeless individuals working with a Manchester service called Project 394.

The passes allow them to get to medical appointments, meetings, and to move their small amount of possessions into more stable accommodation. Imagine if you were going to miss a vital appointment purely because you couldn’t afford bus fare? This funding reveals the huge barriers these individuals can face, and how incremental changes can truly make a difference.

We looked at a few of their individual stories:
• LB was issued a bus pass in order to attend a medical examination at Albert Bridge house by a Department of Work and Pensions medical practitioner. It was essential for LB to attend this appointment in order to continue receiving sickness payments. LB suffers from emphysema and would have struggled to attend should she have had no option but to walk.

• TH arrived at Project 394 after being verified as a rough sleeper. She later secured shared accommodation with Manchester City Council and was given a bus pass in order to move herself and her belongings into the shared house.

• SL was verified as a rough sleeper and as a result came to Project 394. SL later moved into accommodation and was issued a bus pass to assist with the journey for himself and his belongings.

• KJ was issued a bus pass in order to attend a move-on assessment. This assessment was essential in order for KJ to be given the possibility of longer-term accommodation. KJ passed the assessment and as a result moved into the accommodation.

• JM was given a bus pass to attend the Booth Centre and collect important documents.

• CW came to Project 394 due to facing homelessness. CW also had an offending history. It was crucial CW was able to be moved on into longer term accommodation in order to create stability and therefore reduce the likelihood of reoffending. CW was offered accommodation and was issued a bus pass to move himself and his belongings in.

• AC had no funds left by the time an offer of accommodation became available. Often a person will have to move at very short notice, occasionally within the same day. AC received a bus pass in order to take himself and his belongings to his new property and settle in.

• AH was referred by No Second Night Out after being verified as a rough sleeper. AH was later given a bus pass in order to move himself and his belongings to further accommodation.

• GS was given a bus pass in order to assist in moving his belongings to his newly secured accommodation.

Small amounts can truly make a difference – please donate today.