Friends and colleagues past and present helped us celebrate our 10th birthday with a summer festival at the weekend.
BrickFest, which was held on Saturday, at the Brickworks on Hodson Street, was set up to mark the support the charity has given to those who are homeless, in poverty or debt crisis in Wigan over the last decade.
Since opening its doors 10 years ago at the Bricklayer’s Arms on Hallgate, The Brick’s services have grown from a small drop in centre offering breakfasts and a chat to a Crisis Intervention Centre and Wigan’s largest Food Bank.
Louise our Operations Director said: “The Brick has grown over the ten years, sadly owing to a growth in the problem of homelessness, poverty and debt crisis but will continue to work hard to eradicate this problem and make sure that no person is left behind. We would like to thank everyone for their support over the years – and we hope everyone had a great day at BrickFest.”
Last month, May 2018, the charity gave out 540 food parcels, there were 520 attendances for support at their crisis intervention service, 52 people were moved into a night shelter or B&B and three people were moved into permanent accommodation.
This year The Brick is continuing to expand its services for those in need, opening accommodation in Leigh, a Food Community and new space for the Crisis Intervention Services
The family fun day included live music from alternative folk band, The Quaintest Show On Earth, and activities including a tin can alley, face painting, arts and crafts and a kid’s kitchen.
Food was served from the Brickwork’s cafe, Dottie’s, with homemade cakes, a tombola, stalls, books and DVDs.
Bespoke crafted furniture was also on sale, which is made by volunteers and service users, at The Brickworks and bike maintenance and repairs shop Gearing Up was open offering free bike MOTs.