Restaurants have come back to celebrate this year's StreetSmart Campaign which launches today! The scheme sees a host of the citys best restaurants, including some of its newest and most acclaimed dining establishments, pulling together to help raise funds for the homeless over the Christmas period. Restaurants came together to celebrate that
StreetSmart works by participating restaurants adding £1 to all customers bills throughout November and December. This a voluntary contribution and the amount is the same no matter how big the party. With hundreds of restaurants doing this nationally this small gift adds up to a serious impact on the lives of the UKs homeless population with the 2012 campaign raising £805,000 nationally, and Manchester restaurants generating £25,000.
A major point of difference for the StreetSmart campaign is that, thanks to the campaigns sponsor Deutsche Bank, 100% of the funds raised by each participating city are directed straight back into local homeless projects and charities.
These organisations are designed to help individuals who have found themselves homeless to break the cycle, regain their dignity and rebuild their lives via positive action. Therefore the aim of the StreetSmart campaign in Manchester is to prevent homelessness rather than just treat it.
This year a high profile roll call of some the best restaurants in the region are representing StreetSmart in Manchester and hoping to beat last years fundraising total by a long chalk!
Simon Rogan, Chef Patron at Mr Coopers House and Garden commented:
Were delighted to be able to support such a fantastic cause especially at a time of year when its easy to get caught up in the party atmosphere and forget those less fortunate who may find it even more difficult at this time of year. Its such a simple process that could make a significant difference in someones life.
Participating restaurants in StreetSmart Manchester:
Choice Bar and Restaurant, Castlefield, City Centre.
Damson, Heaton Moor, Stockport.
The Grill on the Edge, Alderley Edge.
The Grill on the Alley, City Centre.
Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom, Bury.
Michael Caines Restaurant, City Centre.
Michael Caines Bar & Grill @ABode Manchester, City Centre.
Mr Coopers House and Garden by Simon Rogan, Midland Hotel, City Centre.
Northern Quarter Restaurant, City Centre.
The Red Lion, High Lane, Stockport.
Rosy Lee Tea Rooms, City Centre.
Second Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols, City Centre.
The work that the funded projects are able to do with the money raised by the above establishments are truly life changing, as Johns story included below illustrates:
Unemployed and unable to pay his rent, John found himself sleeping rough for weeks on end on the streets of Manchester.
He found the Booth Centre by chance and the charitys welcoming team were quick to help him get a place at a nearby hostel.
John joined the Booth Centre catering training programme and completed a work placement in the kitchen, having the responsibility of cooking dinners and serving drinks to the hundred plus people who visit the Centre on a weekly basis. Through utilising and developing his skills, his confidence and esteem grew, and the team supported his job efforts and helped him to write a CV.
John is now working as a cleaner and has recently moved into his own flat:The Booth Centre were there when I needed help most they not only got me off the streets, but they helped me to get a job. My self esteem has finally returned.
Amanda Croome from Booth Centre Manchester is one of the citys longest standing beneficiaries of the campaign ands says StreetSmart is one of their most vital partnerships:
SteetSmart funding enables the Booth Centre to transform the lives of homeless people. They fund our catering training programme which gives homeless people the opportunity to gain work experience in our kitchen and work for a nationally recognised qualification to help them get back into work. At the same time the trainees cook lunches for the 170+ people who visit the Booth Centre every week. For many of them this will be the only hot food they eat. So everyone is benefiting.