Alan

Alan volunteered for our Winter Watch project in the late 1990s. Following 21 years working for a printing company, he joined our staff team in 2000 – supporting rough sleepers and other homeless people to access suitable accommodation. Alan oversees our weekly homelessness drop-in sessions and works closely with the Council and a range of housing providers to secure appropriate accommodation and support for clients with complex and enduring issues and needs.

Bethany

Bethany joined Urban Outreach in 2021 as a member of our Food and Household Support Team. In 2022 she moved into the Adult Support Team to provide help and support to vulnerable and at-risk women. She is enjoying working closely with service users to improve their wellbeing and quality of life. Bethany is a psychology graduate with a particular concern to foster good mental health as the foundation which allows us to be the best people we can be. She is delighted to be in a role that makes a positive difference to the lives of women who are struggling with a multiplicity of difficulties.

Gaynor

Gaynor first became involved with Urban Outreach in 1995 as our ‘Bed-line’ volunteer coordinator. On spotting a need at that time, we developed a hostel bed vacancy brokerage service. She felt called to help people who were highly vulnerable and disadvantaged and in need of compassionate support. In 1999 she joined the staff team to lead our Winter Watch project which for 23 years provided hot food, shelter and a place of warmth, friendship and support for homeless and vulnerable adults. She then moved on to deliver cookery workshops through our ’Friends of Fun Food’ project. She now provides administrative and practical support to the team with a particular focus on our work with the homeless.

Ian

Ian joined Urban Outreach early in 2019 to lead in setting up and running our emergency night shelter for rough sleepers over the winter period. Currently he is supporting the establishment of project providing a range of therapeutic activities primarily for service users with housing difficulties. Previously he worked for a local electrical/ building company where he was Operations Manager for ten years. Over recent years Ian has helped set up and run a foodbank and a night shelter in Atherton. He has a deep concern for those who find themselves homeless. His aim is to ensure there is always a safe haven they can turn to – one that is supportive and builds self-esteem while more permanent housing is being arranged.

Sheila

Sheila has worked at Urban Outreach since 2003 following many years of youth and community work in Bolton including street outreach work with challenging young people. She previously worked for ten years in a mother and baby accommodation unit. Sheila now provides specialist support to women involved in sex work and those at risk of re-offending. She gets an immense amount of satisfaction in seeing lives changed. She loves being in a role where she can encourage women to reach their full potential; to give hope when they feel hopeless and to live lives where they can be set free from the world of prostitution, substance misuse and offending.

Susan

After working for 13 years in Special Secondary Education, teaching Art to students with social, emotional, and behaviour difficulties, Susan joined Urban Outreach in 2011. She works closely with Probation Service – providing help and support for women including housing, drink/drug issues, mental health, employment and benefits. Susan is involved in various group work and activities with the women including self-confidence, art sessions and victim focused work.