Macc recently managed the latest Spirit of Manchester Fund round of grants which focused on organisations that support people with the cost of living crisis. We will be sharing one story a day in July to show the impact of these grants and the wide range of projects that they supported. Firstly, we have the story from The Men's Room.
"We support Men, Trans and Non-binary people who sex work. From our Manchester office, we run artist led creative sessions, offer individual support, including sexual health testing, and provide a hot meal on a Wednesday and Thursday. Many of our participants have struggled with the increase in food and energy costs over the last few months. To respond to this, we increased our provision to offer an additional creative session on a Wednesday afternoon, supplying a hot lunch and Tesco vouchers to all that attend. The creative sessions are different every month from crocheting for wellbeing, to creating vines for LGBTQ History month, now on display at The Whitworth. We have also provided the opportunity for participants to attend exhibitions at HOME.
Many of our participants experience loneliness and isolation, and have used drugs and alcohol to help them with this. Our space is drug and alcohol free, and explores healthier ways to reduce loneliness."
“Coming to the creative sessions is good for me. It’s a drug and alcohol free space. I won’t come to a session if I’ve had a drink so it’s a good reason to stay sober. Last week I didn’t drink for two days because I came to the creative session on the Wednesday evening and then the exhibition opening at HOME on the Thursday afternoon. Being involved with creative projects has a positive impact on my life.” B, TMR (The Manchester Men s Room) participant