RaffleAid Day 4 – Why Are You Homeless?

Homelessness is more than just a lack of shelter—it’s a complex issue with deeply personal stories behind each individual on the streets. On Day 4 of our RaffleAid survival kit drop, we spoke directly with those experiencing homelessness in Manchester, providing sleeping bags, mats, and Aldi food vouchers to help them through the freezing nights.

Hearing Real Stories

One of the most striking moments of the day was sitting down and asking, “Why are you homeless?” The responses were heartbreaking yet eye-opening. Many spoke of struggles with addiction, sudden job loss, family breakdowns, and a system that often fails them. Some had been in and out of hostels, only to find that the environment made it impossible to rebuild their lives.

The Reality on the Streets

A major challenge we heard repeatedly was theft—many had their sleeping bags stolen, leaving them exposed to the harsh weather. Others explained how difficult it is to access services without a fixed address. One man shared that people often assume the worst about him, even though he’s simply trying to survive.

A Simple Solution: Shelter & Food

Our team at RaffleAid is committed to providing more than just short-term relief. Our long-term vision is to establish a warehouse with beds, food, and security, offering a stable stepping stone for people to get back on their feet. But to make this happen, we need support from the community.

How You Can Help

💙 Spread Awareness – Share this blog and the video to help change perceptions of homelessness.

💙 Donate – Every contribution helps us provide survival essentials and work toward a long-term solution.

💙 Get Involved – If you want to be part of the change, reach out to support our efforts.

Homelessness isn’t just a statistic—it’s real people with real stories. Together, we can make a difference.