Wigan's ‘Brick by Brick' Project has smashed its target for 2023 and is now supporting almost 80,000 individuals and families, across Greater Manchester.

The Brick, a charity based in Wigan, first piloted the Brick-by-Brick Project in December 2022, and was supported, in the initiative, by Amazon and former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The charity originally set a target of 50,000 people to be supported in 2023, but in just 10 months, The Brick has revealed that it has already helped almost 30,000 more people facing financial crisis, than it originally planned, and over 400,000 items have been donated and passed on to families and individuals across Greater Manchester.

The project is set to reach well over half a million items donated and distributed, by the end of the year.

The ‘Brick-by-Brick' multi-bank was set up to help struggling families cope with the cost-of-living crisis and rising prices, by providing surplus stocks ranging from household goods such as bedding, toilet roll, cleaning products and toiletries through to clothes and hot water bottles.

The multi-bank's aim is to do much more than just hand out goods from a warehouse. All stocks are distributed via a growing network of charities, social work teams, schools, health centres and food banks to ensure that the items go to the people who need them most.

The network ensures that families are properly supported to resolve their crisis; to access benefits, debt advice or mental health support.

Keely Dalfen, CEO at The Brick, said:

"We know that families are facing the most challenging of winters, and we are bracing ourselves for further expansion. There are 9 million people in the UK living in hygiene poverty and we are hearing from teachers that children are arriving at school with unwashed clothes, or not arriving at all due to embarrassment and stigma.

"Whilst we are delighted that we have been able to help so many people across Greater Manchester, it is testament to the unacceptable financial struggles that families are facing right now, that we are hitting our original target 3 months early, as the need for this support is so great."

Over 290 charities partner with the ‘Brick by Brick' Project to provide items to the individuals and families they work with.

Alison Wakefield, Founder of ‘The Baby Room', in Leigh said:

"We have been so grateful to receive adult toiletries and baby appropriate soft toys. They have made all the difference to our ‘Baby Essentials Bundles', ensuring that our new parents receive basic toiletries. This reduces the fear of not having the money to afford these items and alleviates the feeling of not being able to provide for their babies. It is great how we can work together for the benefit of those in our community who are needing a helping hand."

Social Worker, Donna Bamford, from Keeping Families Together, said:

"Without ‘Brick by Brick', the families of Wigan wouldn't have what they have. I hope this continues as it really is amazing."

Since it opened its doors in 2022, the ‘Brick by Brick' Project has provided goods to over 52,000 children.

Sarah Jones* has benefited from the initiative:

"I am very thankful for the donations from the Brick. Even though we are two working parents, the cost of living has increased so much that we have to be a lot more careful with money. Receiving household products has been one less thing on our shopping list. I hope this continues because we are very grateful."

The ‘Brick by Brick' multi-bank offers a one-stop shop to any business large or small wanting to dispose of their surplus goods. Currently over 15 businesses support the project including Online Home Shop, Accrol Group and Vision Linens.

Gareth Jenkins, CEO of Accrol Group, said:

"We are incredibly proud to support such an incredible and expanding initiative. Accrol supplies toilet and kitchen rolls for most of the major retailers, producing over 1 billion rolls a year. As a major manufacturer, it's only right that we help improve the lives of those in our local communities.

"Every month we donate at least one truck full of product to multi-bank projects, which means we'll deliver around 1 million toilet rolls a year for those in need. We'd urge other businesses to get on board and support this fantastic, growing initiative. We take great pride in our support and helping to expand this service nationwide."

Moshe Cohen, CEO of Online Home Shop, said:

"We are immensely proud to support the ‘Brick by Brick' project and it is fantastic news that they have hit their target for the year. The work of The Brick is important to the communities they serve, and we are proud to continue our support for 2024 and beyond."

Keely Dalfen concludes:

"We couldn't do what we do without the support of the businesses who work with us to provide these surplus items. We want to thank every business who has joined our fight against poverty and especially, to Amazon for their long-term commitment to this project. I would ask that if any businesses could work with us to donate items, to get in touch, as the demand for products supplied by our ‘Brick by Brick' project is increasing, daily."

If you are a business and would like to support the ‘Brick by Brick' Project, please contact Keely@thebrick.org.uk

If you are a charity, school or a professional supporting people in Greater Manchester, and you would like to find out more about the ‘Brick by Brick' Project, please contact Hannah@thebrick.org.uk

If you are in need of help or support and are facing financial difficulty, or in crisis please contact enquiries@thebrick.org.uk or chat to us on webchat at www.thebrick.org.uk