Our vision
The fund shouldn’t have to exist – our vision is a society where no one is destitute based on where they come from.
While destitution persists, we want the often hidden voices and experiences of those forced into destitution to be heard loud and clear to drive change both nationally and in Greater Manchester.
Through the operation of the fund – although we know we are only reaching the tip of the iceberg – we have a unique evidence-base about the scale and nature of destitution in our city-region. Alongside the statistics from our grants programme, we dig deeper into specific experiences of destitution through our community consultations. Taken together with the voices and stories of individuals speaking out about destitution, all this evidence presents a clear argument for change.
It’s an argument to the government to repeal the cruel and unjust laws the drive destitution.
And it’s an argument to our local leaders to do everything they can to resist the national policies that drive destitution, to create spaces of welcome and sanctuary within Greater Manchester.
That's why in January 2026 we launched a campaign to End Destitution - visit our campaign page to sign the pledge and take action.
3.3 years is the average amount of time those applying to MDF reported being destitute
60% of those accessing MDF in 2021-3 reported mental health problems
56% reported physical health problems
More than a third report both physical and mental health problems
wider impact
Data from the fund’s operation was used in a 2024 report by GMIAU and The Boaz Trust, A slow violence: How immigration control forces people in Greater Manchester into destitution
We submitted evidence for the 2024 report of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Poverty and on Migration