Volunteers from Don't Walk Past discovered Anne on the streets of Manchester City, providing her with a safe place to stay and warm meals. Anne's story moved us deeply, and this unfortunate woman was at last offered a chance at a better life.
Anne, an elderly woman described as "lonely and scared," was found sleeping on a duvet on the streets of Manchester city. A photo of her on Market Street became widely shared, leading to an offer for a proper home for her.
Details about how Anne came to be sleeping on the street are scarce, but what is known is that she is now being well cared for.
Matthew Hudson, a member of Don't Walk Past, along with other volunteers, were the first to come across Anne in her plight. Lauren Jones, who was working with the group that day, captured a photo of Anne as they distributed hot meals to the homeless.
Jones reported that Anne had been offered a place outside the city center, which she declined for personal reasons.
Ultimately, Jones and her team secured a hotel room for Anne.
“She was very confused,” Jones said. “She was scared. She was sitting on a tarpaulin, with just a duvet. She was freezing cold.”
The kind-hearted woman offered her assistance to Anne, yet the choice was Anne's to make.
"We made several phone calls and handed her our card to show we were there to help. People have offered, 'She can stay with me,' but it's not that straightforward. The thought of her out there weighed heavily on us even after we went home. We left at midnight; it was cold and rainy, and she was still outside.
I shared that photo on Facebook, and it went viral. The image was quite shocking. It shattered my heart. I knew it was upsetting but impactful, and I hadn't anticipated the extent to which it would move people."
Ronny English, the founder of the Don't Walk Past charity, expressed his views on the matter. Anne was recently homeless and very frightened. He mentioned that Anne was dealing with paranoia and other mental health challenges, constantly feeling as though she was being pursued.
“She was newly homeless -- she had only sound herself on the streets for just a week. She was scared. We put her up in a hotel for a few days but now social services have stepped in to help. In my experience, that means she will get a place in a hostel or sheltered housing. She has a few mental health problems and was paranoid people were following her.”
Jones and her team of volunteers reached out to the Manchester City Council. Afterwards, they went back to see Anne and check on her. The woman was in her sixties.
Search teams were dispatched to locate Anne. She was a high priority, and swift action was necessary.
“We are working to find her as a priority so she can be found accommodation and offered all the support at our disposal.”
Jones found Anne, and she was pretty upset.
“She was very upset. She said she’s been moved on from where she’d been. She was in Piccadilly Gardens. It was scary for her, there were lots of noise. She said it was like ‘Armageddon. We’re still trying to find out what happened to her, how she ended up on the streets. We’ve given her a new phone with a new SIM card. We can’t force anybody to do anything. It’s about gaining trust -- we’re here if she needs us.”
Jones, her friends from Don’t Walk Past, authorities, and locals tried to find out how Anne ended up in the streets. Authorities can be of great help in the process. Finding Anne a safe spot is a priority now.
Ronny English founded Don’t Walk Past to help people like Anne. The whole thing started when English saw someone freezing cold and sitting in a wheelchair.
“He saw someone freezing cold and wet through sat in a wheelchair in Manchester one night. He knew he had to do something about it. It all started from there -- a few people from Salford wanting to give back. People are only a few lost paydays away from being in that position. Our message is clear -- if you have the capacity to do something to help, stop walking, and do it. Don’t walk past.”
Approximately 4,300 members of the Don't Walk Past organization are dedicated to assisting the less fortunate.
Anne is not alone on the streets; there are many others like her in need of assistance. They require warm food, clothing, a safe place to stay, and medical care.
The City of Manchester and Don't Walk Past responded swiftly, and Anne is immensely thankful for the love and support received.
"We are glad to see that prompt action was taken to move this woman from the streets into safe, stable housing," said a spokesperson for Manchester City Council. "After being notified on Wednesday, our outreach team collaborated with homelessness charities and organizations to locate her.
Although our search was initially unsuccessful, we were comforted to hear that she had been found by a partner charity. The public's response has been heartening, reinforcing our conviction that no Mancunian will remain passive when individuals are compelled to sleep rough.
We are committed to doing everything within our power to aid those in need, and it is our hope that this woman receives the necessary support to ensure she never has to sleep rough again."
