community consultations
Part of the violence of destitution is the way it invisibilises the harms that it causes, and silences the voices of those living through it. As people are forced to live in the shadows, it is all too easy for services, and the wider public, to turn a blind eye. Through our experience administering our grants programme, we have a unique snapshot of what destitution looks like in Greater Manchester: numbers of people applying to the fund with children; numbers experiencing street homelessness; numbers lacking adequate legal representation; and so on.
But while these numbers are important, they are just that - numbers. So, in 2025, we started running community consultations - deep dive events with people experiencing destitution to look beyond the numbers, and dig deeper into specific issues. For example, for the many families approaching the fund with children, what are the barriers they face to accessing statutory support? For those let down by their lawyer or unable to find a lawyer, what might have helped in that situation?
Drawing on the trusted relationships our referral partners have built with people, our events create safe spaces where people's voices can be heard and raised up; where people can find strength and solidarity; and where they can co-create solutions together. We amplify people's voices by sharing findings with policymakers and other organisations, and we follow up through practical responses to address the systemic issues participants have identified.
"Social services say they will consult with the Home Office. That makes people afraid. When you read the letter and see Home Office, you cancel that letter."
"who is going to hear you?" community consultation with manchester-based families experiencing destitution
In July 2025, in partnership with Equal Education Chances, we held a community consultation with families experiencing destitution because of their immigration status, to understand barriers to accessing statutory support.
Key findings were:
- Barriers to accessing social services support include unawareness, fear, and gatekeeping
- People face barriers regularising status, including difficulty accessing legal advice, delays in decisions, high visa fees, and fear of the asylum system in particular.
- People also face barriers accessing healthcare because of their status
Participants wanted to see:
- Engagement from social services to raise awareness and dispel fears
- Being given the right to work by the Home Office while waiting for a decision on an application for leave to remain
- Continuation of MDF’s grants programme
- Information about the immigration system
You can read the full write up here.
In response to participants' calls for transparent information, we convened an information session with presentations from Right to Remain on how to use their Toolkit on the immigration system, GMIAU on access to social services support, and Patients Not Passports on healthcare entitlements.
An information sheet on rights to section 17 support is coming soon.