Wood Street Mission has been supporting families in Manchester and Salford since 1869. That’s over 150 years of helping children living in poverty with the basics they need, clothing, bedding, books, toys, school uniforms, and dignity.

It began with wooden clogs for children who had none. Today, it might be school shoes, a coat, a backpack. The items have changed. The need hasn’t.

But here’s the hard truth:

In 2025, we are still needed.

More than ever.

The Reality in 2025

Despite decades of progress, Greater Manchester still faces one of the highest child poverty rates in the UK.

• In Manchester, 34% of children live below the poverty line – that’s nearly 1 in 2.
• In Salford, it’s over 35%.
• Nationwide, 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty (Joseph Rowntree Foundation).

These aren’t numbers. These are real children. Children starting school without uniform, sleeping without a proper bed, going without meals, books, or heating.

The cost-of-living crisis has deepened this inequality, pushing even more families to breaking point, many for the first time.

The Problem Isn’t That Families Aren’t Trying

It’s that the system isn’t working for them.

Rising rents, unstable employment, food inflation, and hidden school costs mean families who once just about broke even, are now making impossible choices. Heating or eating. Shoes or rent. Uniform or electricity.

No parent should be forced to make those choices. And no child should be left behind because of them.

Why We Still Show Up

We’re still here, 150 years on, because the need is still here.

We’re still here because families tell us they don’t know where else to turn.

We’re still here because every pack of uniform, every pair of shoes, every donated coat means a child walks into school feeling like they belong, not different

We’re still here because this isn’t just about survival. It’s about self-worth, inclusion, and the chance to thrive.

Why We Still Need You

Your support means:

• A child has the right shoes for school, not ones filled with newspaper.
• A teenager can attend college with pride, not shame.
• A family can breathe, even if just for a moment, knowing they’re not alone.

Your donations, partnerships, and advocacy keep this work going, work that shouldn’t be needed, but still is.

Together, we can change the future.

Donate or support at woodstreetmission.org.uk/donate

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