We currently operate eight services:

In Manchester:

• We support people primarily from black and minority ethnic communities who have issues around mental health; and other people with similar problems.
• We support single Irish men with issues around alcohol and/or homelessness
• We support older people showing early signs of dementia living in Manchester

In Rochdale:

• We support Asian women with mental health issues

In Cheshire:

• We support young people ‘at risk’ aged between 16 and 25
• We support homeless families

To apply, simply complete a referral form.

We offer a range of services depending on people’s needs. Support is provided within the service users own homes and is tailored to their assessed and agreed needs, which are reviewed regularly.  Amongst other things, we may help with:

• Housing: Setting up and maintaining a home, paying rent, ensuring the safety and security of the home, as well as advice and support with repairs and improvements.
• Independent living: Advice on how to improve domestic, life and social skills, and behaviour management.  Providing emotional support and help in gaining access to local community services such as counseling, befriending, peer support, translation and interpretation, education and so on.
• Liaison with other service providers such as Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug teams, GPs and Welfare Advisors.
• Health issues: Monitoring health and wellbeing, providing support and advocacy at medical appointments, diet planning and access to gyms and swimming classes.
• Budgeting: Help with managing debt, finances and benefits claims.
• Cultural issues: Providing information on culturally specific legal services, community resources and health / treatment services.

How long the support lasts depends on people’s needs, but support could be provided for up to two years.  Withdrawal is planned and negotiated with the user.

Referrals can be made by a wide range of organisations, such as social services, housing providers, health and probation organisations and others.  We also accept self-referrals and all people who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.  We do not operate any automatic exclusions, but the manageability of any risks will need to be considered.

You can obtain referral forms from any of our offices or you can download one from this website.  Forms should be returned to your nearest office (See our contact us page for office addresses).

Once a referral has been received, support staff will meet with the person to carry out an assessment of their needs and provide them with more information about the service.  This involves asking questions to help us build a picture of the person’s situation and will be conducted confidentially with an open mind.  Should the applicant’s needs meet the criteria, support will be offered and an indication given of when it is likely to commence.

Grants from Supporting People and Adult Social Care fund most of our projects.  This means that the people who use the service do not pay to be supported by People First.

Supporting People is a government initiative aimed at enabling people with housing related support needs to live independently in the community.  It offers vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their quality of life by providing positive services, which enable them to have greater independence and control in making choices within their lives.