IN 2020 CONTACT HOSTEL IN WHALLEY RANGE CELEBRATED ITS 50th ANNIVERSARY.
The hostel was set up by former nun Brigid Murphy in 1970. Previously working at a school for young offenders in Manchester, Brigid was concerned that too many pupils were leaving education with nowhere safe to call home. She realised that they were sometimes ending up on the streets or turning to drugs and alcohol to survive. She used government grants and her own resources to open Contact, and It has been running successfully and providing a safe shelter for young women from around Manchester ever since. Brigid died in 2005 but her great work and legacy live on at Contact.
Thank you to all the hundreds of people over the years who have helped make Contact what it is today.
What we offer
We have bedrooms for up to nine young women, offering a welcoming and homely atmosphere in the heart of South Manchester. We also help young women with the next stage - whether they want to return to education, start a job or explore training opportunities.
Contact provides accommodation and practical support for homeless teenage girls from the Manchester area. Since 1970 we have helped over 1000 young women get back on their feet.
Michelle's story
"Without Contact I don’t know where I would be, they have helped me turn my life around. It is the best place I could have hoped for when I became homeless."
Michelle was 16 when she came to Contact. She had no stability and would stay in bed until 5pm most days. Michelle is now working as a civil servant for Ofsted and has her own flat.
Zara's
story
"I enjoy living at the hostel because it has given me the opportunity to learn new things and do stuff that I’ve not really done before. I’ve slowly learnt how to become more independent."
Zara came from an abusive family. She is now living at Contact, studying at college and discovering her own identity.
MEET THE TEAM
Dedicated to making a change
Our well-established, all-women team has a wealth of experience in working with both adults and children.
With our knowledge from working in a wide range of backgrounds, including the NHS and social services, we can provide support for young people with a variety of different needs.
