It Beggars belief              

The majority of beggars do not actually sleep rough but either have a tenancy or have a place in temporary accommodation through agencies who they are in contact with. The change for the better campaign works with a range of agencies who help beggars get in to accommodation which reduces their need to beg, so giving money to the donation boxes you can help the beggars improve their lives and reduce the number of beggars in the city centre.

Please give to the box and not the beggar

Change for the Better is an anti-begging campaign which aims to tackle the problem of begging in Manchester City Centre by reducing the number of beggars and educating the public not the give to beggars.

Various agencies are working together to try and reduce the number of beggars on the streets through a programme of prevention of begging, finding suitable accommodation and addressing any drug addictions issues.

Agencies involved with the Change for the Better campaign include Greater Manchester Police, The Big Life Company, The Community Foundation, Manchester City Centre Management Company as well as many other smaller agencies who are all working together to improve the lives of beggars and improve the city centre environment, making it a safer place for everyone.

The last begging count (conducted by Greater Manchester Police in December 2002) showed that over 80% of beggars do it to support a drug habit, over 60% had a permanent address and 64% received benefits.

On the positive side, 93% were in contact with one or more agencies involved with Change for the Better and 75% said they would consider detox/rehab.

PC Judith Walmsley OBE said "I strongly believe Manchester has some of the very best services and support for anyone wanting to come off drugs, but as begging is a very lucrative activity which takes little effort, why change?  If people did not give, beggars would not beg"

They’re a beggar for it

Over 60% of beggars already receive state benefits either through housing benefit or job seekers allowance. They use begging as an extra way to make money – taking advantage of the good nature of the general public of Manchester when they don’t need your money as much as you might think.

Please give to the box and not the beggar

Hungry or High?

Over 90% of beggars do it to sustain drug use. Whether it be drink or drugs, many beggars spend the money you give them on feeding their addiction. Often they will be on a drug treatment programme that aims to help them with their addiction, but use the money you give them to buy more drugs.

Your money is helping them to sustain their damaging lifestyle, which may lead to their death.

Please give to the box and not the beggar

Food or Fix?

£10 can buy a beggar a bag of heroin – or it could buy them food that could last them for days. Often beggars will spend money you give to them to fuel their addiction instead of on food, so your money is being spent on buying drugs to keep them in a habit that may kill them.

The Change for the Better campaign helps beggars get in contact with agencies which can help them with detox from drugs and rehabilitation.

Please give to the box and not the beggar

Money from the collection boxes is guaranteed to provide help, food, shelter and support for those in real need. 

Any businesses interested in receiving a collection box free of charge should contact Change for the Better on 0161 234 3253

        Notes

• The statistical information was collated by Greater Manchester Police in December 2002