Winter can make life harder and for some, it can feel like everything is snowballing out of control.
But it doesn't have to.
Your support can help us 'Stop the Snowball' for people at risk of homelessness in Rochdale and beyond.
With your help, we can step in early...
We keep people safe and housed. 256 people lived in our housing schemes last year, and we supported 32 people to move back into independent tenancies after experiencing homelessness.
Our team delivered over 1,300 advice sessions and referrals for people facing housing insecurity and homelessness. In 33 of these cases, we were able to stop people from becoming homeless by preventing them from losing their home or finding suitable accommodation to see them through the next 6 months.
“It’s hard to explain the last 18 months. I was working and living in privately rented accommodation. I never expected to end up in a Women’s Service. There were times when I struggled, but Petrus’ Women’s Service never gave up on me. They stopped me from becoming homeless and on the streets and I’m very grateful for that. I don’t think that would have been safe, it’s not safe for anyone and I do feel sad when I see people struggling.” - Jenny
Watch Jenny’s full story here:
Our Hub welcomed over 24,000 visits from people seeking help with housing, food, and wellbeing in 2024/25 .
In winter alone, we provided over 7,000 food interventions from hot meals to emergency parcels. These meals are more than just survival; they provide vital moments of connection and start conversations that lead to positive steps forward.
As costs continue to rise, we are finding more and more people are coming to us with support with food.
We receive no funding for the food we provide from our Hub, your donations make this happen.
Winter can leave many of us feeling lonely and isolated. Many people experiencing homelessness feel like they are not accepted by society. Throughout winter, we’ll bring our community together through our Hub, sharing meals, making connections and helping vulnerable people look after their health and wellbeing in the colder month
You can help us give out Christmas gifts, from toiletry sets to warm winter essentials, that shows vulnerable people that they have not been forgotten. They are accepted, believed in and valued.
Join us at the Petrus Winter Fair!
(Stalls still available)
Organise your own fundraiser
Stopping the snowball can start with a simple fundraiser!
Whether it’s a bake sale, a Christmas Jumper Day, or a festive quiz with your team, every pound raised helps us step in before crisis hits. Together, we can provide hot meals, warm clothing, and vital support to people facing homelessness.
Explore our Top 5 Winter Fundraisers and choose your way to make a difference.
We’ll be with you every step of the way, with t-shirts, collection buckets, and all the info you need. Just email us at fundraising.petrus@petrus.org.uk and let us know what you’re planning.
This winter, your kindness can stop someone’s world from snowballing out of control.
Support Petrus with your workplace
We’d love to team up with your organisation to raise awareness and funds to support our work. Whether you're interested in donating, offering gifts in kind, or volunteering, there are easy and meaningful ways to get involved.
By partnering with us, your business will directly contribute to creating measurable social value , from improving wellbeing and reducing homelessness, to strengthening communities and supporting vulnerable people. Last year, our work generated over £15 million in social value , and every contribution helps us extend that impact even further.
Supporting us isn’t just good for the community , it’s good for your business too. Your involvement can help meet ESG goals, demonstrate social impact to stakeholders, and show your commitment to making a difference locally.
Come and meet us – 3rd December
We’re opening our doors to local businesses on Wednesday 3rd December from 11am – 2pm. Drop in at a time that works for you, see our facilities, hear from people who have accessed our services and find out more about the impact you could make with us.
Drop us an email to let us know you’re coming along – fundraising.petrus@petrus.org.uk
Download our Pay-Day-Pantry posters here to get started.
Sack off the standard Corporate Gifts
Wine, biscuits, and Christmas cards are nice, but why not show your clients that you’re a business committed to creating social value instead? Give them a gift they’ll really value, a donation to Petrus that makes them a real part of our journey to end homelessness.
We recommend a gift of £50 per client, and in return we’ll provide a festive e-card explaining your donation and its impact. The perfect way to spread good cheer!
If you’d like to gift some social value to your clients, please make your donation here.
Start a Pay-Day Pantry
Together with your colleagues, you can help us make sure vulnerable people have enough to eat this winter.
Set up a collection point in your office and gather store cupboard staples to fill up our food parcels. Send a gentle reminder to your colleagues around pay-day encourage them to buy something for the box and see your impact grow!
Open Monday to Saturday, our hub provides hot breakfasts, drinks, showering facilities, toiletries, sanitary products, laundry facilities and access to clean clothes, all completely free of charge for our service users.
In 2024/25 our Hub received over 24,000 visits from vulnerable people, provided over 16,500 meals or food interventions and gave out 1,569 warm clothing items.
The hub is also a place where people can access support such as welfare advice, employability skills, and food parcels.
Healthcare support is provided by Homeless Alliance Response Team nurses, and we also arrange access to dentists, alcohol and drug treatment and wellbeing activities.