A Belle Vue Manchester sales boss and his friend have saved a shelter for homeless men, after it was threatened with closure amid the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
Charity Supporting People in Need (SPIN) provides shelter, food and training for rough sleepers at The Well, a former Baptist Church in Manchester.
But it was told by Manchester City Council that it would lose funding unless residents each had their own living space to accommodate social distancing. Men were sleeping 12 to a dormitory before the pandemic.
Belle Vue Manchester Sales Manager Damien Ditchfield, alongside friend and qualified joiner Ken Jackson, stepped up to help, converting the open church hall into 19 timber-framed bedrooms.
The project was completed in seven weeks and was made possible through Ken’s building trade contacts, who provided materials free of charge.
The shelter now boasts new bedrooms, a new food storage area and offices with a mezzanine floor which is used as a training area.
“When Ken heard about the charity’s plight, he didn’t want to ignore it,” says Damian. “His previous experience meant he had the expertise to do the work, and I offered my support so he was assured of meeting the deadline set by the council.
“We did all the joinery and plastering and were very grateful to Irmass Company timber merchants in Trafford Park and P&L Joinery in Stockport for supplying materials at no cost. Without their generosity, the project would have been unaffordable for SPIN.”
SPIN Operations Manager Tom Herstell says Damien and Ken have “truly saved” the charity. “It was a fantastic gesture by them and we are grateful to everyone who donated materials,” he says.
Managing Director at Belle Vue Manchester Phil Hitchen adds: “It came as no surprise that Damian spent his time on furlough helping on this project.
“It’s a great charity which helps take people off the streets and get them back on the straight and narrow.
“Damian is so empathetic and gives so much to others. He’s a remarkable person with a fantastic spirit who brings so much joy and love to the people he knows.”
